Christian life -- Fiction; Married women -- Fiction; Runaway husbands -- Fiction
Phebe gave a little sigh of relief. "I had almost forgotten about it. It
will almost take away your breath, so be prepared."
"Stop one minute," said Nanna, "let me ask one question. Is it something
you approve of?"
"Yes, quite."
"All right, then, nothing whatever can take away my breath now."
"Don't be quite so sure about it. What do you say to him showing me how
I can have two thousand pounds paid to me this week?"
"I should simply say he couldn't."
"But he has, and when I tell you how, you will advise me to take it, I
am quite sure. Now, doesn't this take away your breath?"
"No, I've still got a few gasps left."
"You know that meadow of mine? It has a long frontage to the main road.
Some men have been buying up the land all round the new railway-station.
They expect it will be quite a busy centre owing to the junction of
rails. Mr. Black knew I owned that meadow. I told him so when I thought
the hall might go up there, and he has negotiated with these men for the
sale of it. But for him I should have thought I was doing well if I had
sold it for five hundred. He is trying to see if he can get a little
more when I told him what I should use it for."
"What is that?" a sudden fear again taking possession of Nanna lest
money should become a snare to her darling.
"To build or buy a house for a cottage hospital here in Hadley. I have
long wanted to do it, and now, without any trouble, God is sending me
the money."
"God bless you, my dear one," said Nanna, her heart full of rejoicing.
"And what do you think of this plan?" continued Phebe. "I should like to
give the money to Stephen Collins, and let him do all the business, my
name never to be mentioned. He need simply say a friend had entrusted
him with it. Mr. Black, I know, will keep my secret. I thought two
thousand would provide the building, and the town might be willing to
pay for its upkeep. I should like it called 'Love's Hospital.'"
"There! Didn't I tell you the Lord would help you to do big things?
Can't you see if you'd never gone to the railway-men you would never
have known Mr. Black!"
"Yes, I can see it, and if I had never visited Jim Coates, I shouldn't
have gone to the railway-men. It is all the Lord's doing. I have got
another scheme I want to work out, but have not the money for it yet,
and I don't see where it is to come from either. Still, after this
wonder I shall not give up hope."
* * * * *
Stephen Collins accepted the task, called together a town's meeting; a
committee was appointed, Bessie's old superintendent, Mr. Bell, being
one of the number. An old-fashioned house, with a large garden was
bought, and in less than twelve months "Love's Hospital" was in working
order.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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