Margaret's Patient Page #2

"Margaret's Patient" is a poignant short story by Lucy Maud Montgomery, originally published in 1910. The narrative centers on Margaret, a compassionate and dedicated nurse who becomes emotionally invested in her patient, a troubled young man named Edwin. As she tends to his physical and emotional wounds, the story delves into themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexities of human connection. Montgomery's signature lyrical prose and deep character exploration provide a moving portrait of healing and the power of empathy in the face of life's challenges.

• Short story

								

Margaret herself installed as nurse, for as Dr. Forbes had feared, he
had found it impossible to obtain anyone else. Margaret had a natural
gift for nursing, and she had had a good deal of experience in sick
rooms. She was skilful, gentle and composed, and Dr. Forbes nodded his
head with satisfaction as he watched her.

A week later Mrs. Boyd left for Vancouver, and Margaret, bending over
her delirious patient, could not even go to the station to see her
off. But she thought little about it. All her hopes were centred on
pulling Freda Martin through; and when, after a long, doubtful
fortnight, Dr. Forbes pronounced her on the way to recovery, Margaret
felt as if she had given the gift of life to a fellow creature. "Oh, I
am so glad I stayed," she whispered to herself.

During Freda's convalescence Margaret learned to love her dearly. She
was such a sweet, brave little creature, full of a fine courage to
face the loneliness and trials of her lot.

"I can never repay you for your kindness, Miss Campbell," she said
wistfully.

"I am more than repaid already," said Margaret sincerely. "Haven't I
found a dear little friend?"

One day Freda asked Margaret to write a note for her to a certain
school chum.

"She will like to know I am getting better. You will find her address
in my writing desk."

Freda's modest trunk had been brought to Fir Cottage, and Margaret
went to it for the desk. As she turned over the loose papers in search
of the address, her eye was caught by a name signed to a faded and
yellowed letter--Worth Spencer. Her mother's name!

Margaret gave a little exclamation of astonishment. Could her mother
have written that letter? It was not likely another woman would have
that uncommon name. Margaret caught up the letter and ran to Freda's
room.

"Freda, I couldn't help seeing the name signed to this letter, it is
my mother's. To whom was it written?"

"That is one of my mother's old letters," said Freda. "She had a
sister, my Aunt Worth. She was a great deal older than Mother. Their
parents died when Mother was a baby. Aunt Worth went to her father's
people, while Mother's grandmother took her. There was not very good
feeling between the two families, I think. Mother said she lost trace
of her sister after her sister married, and then, long after, she saw
Aunt Worth's death in the papers."

"Can you tell me where your mother and her sister lived before they
were separated?" asked Margaret excitedly.

"Ridgetown."

"Then my mother must have been your mother's sister, and, oh, Freda,
Freda, you are my cousin."

Eventually this was proved to be the fact. Margaret investigated the
matter and discovered beyond a doubt that she and Freda were cousins.
It would be hard to say which of the two girls was the more delighted.

"Anyhow, we'll never be parted again," said Margaret happily. "Fir
Cottage is your home henceforth, Freda. Oh, how rich I am. I have got
somebody who really belongs to me. And I owe it all to Dr. Forbes. If
he hadn't suggested you coming here, I should never have found out
that we were cousins."

"And I don't think I should ever have got better at all," whispered
Freda, slipping her hand into Margaret's.

"I think we are going to be the two happiest girls in the world," said
Margaret. "And Freda, do you know what we are going to do when your
summer vacation comes? We are going to have a trip through the
Rockies, yes, indeedy. It would have been nice going with Mrs. Boyd,
but it will be ten times nicer to go with you."
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