Song of the Shell

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Suffering with ennui, bored by society, Annie Bradley, a wealthy girl, is anxious to make her time more profitable by doing something worthwhile. Alice Godfrey, a nurse on the Floating Hospital of the local Guild, pays Annie a visit and suggests to her that she interest herself in settlement work among the poor and accompany her on a tour through the tenement districts. Annie consents and she soon finds herself so interested in the work, she makes application for an appointment as a visiting nurse. She is accepted and joins in the work of attending the sick children on the Floating Hospital. Her tenderness and efficiency is noticed by Dr. Ferguson, the physician in charge, and her compliments her on her work. This courtesy leads to a friendship between her and the Doctor which ripens into love. They are obliged, by the rules of the Hospital, to do their courting in secret, while on shipboard. The Doctor proposes to Annie, and finding him so different from the men among the wealthy set with whom she is acquainted, she readily accepts him. They are secretly married. Annie continues her labors among the poor and it is not until some time after they are married that the Doctor learns by accident of Annie's wealth and social prominence. She tells him that she appreciates his ambition but he can rest assured that her money will contribute very greatly to their comfort while he is rising to a high position in his profession. He is encouraged by her willingness to assist, but convinces her that he will value her love and sweetness of character in the future, as he has in the past, above the wealth of all the world.