The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-05-18
McGREGoR, IOWA, WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1859
ALITTLEHARMIEss FL1RTAT1ON

The chamber was luxuriously furnished,
and had an air Of comfort, too, that told its
luxuries were made for use, and not merely
to be looked at
BY the fire, in an easy chair, sat DR..
Boulding; seated on a low stool at his feet,
her check resting on his knee, was Louisa.
There had been little chiding on the part
of the doctor, apparently, for tear stole
from each blue eye down the young girls
rosy check. Louisa's checks were always
rosy, but they assumed deeper hue as
glancing shyly at the doctor, she said:-
Indeed, uncle, love William as well as
ever did, but cannot help thinking he did
me great injustice in falsely accusing ne of
flirting with Lionel Benfrew."
"Stop, Louisa interrupted the doctor,
"do not say falsely. l watched the whole
affair that had offended your lover so much,
and do not think his jealousy is without
causc." s-ga,
rfrvn vfrungtng a,ie -vivo ~ v..~ Of Els.
deepest sadness, and laying his hand upon
the fair head before him, Dr. Boulding said ::
"You, Louisa, just now used the phrase, "a
little harmless flirtation.' Listen, my child,
while I tell you how harmless Irritation
crushed my hopes and cmbittered my life.
ut must be twenty-five years ago, though
to me it seems but as yesterday, that l, a
thin, nervous young medical student, pass
cd my examination, and obtained my Ger.
tificate as surgeon. Before I established
myself as practitioner, resolved to have a
weeks holiday, aud therefore went down to
Wellington to visit cousin had residing
there. 1t was lovely country village, and
to me, who had been studying hard for
months indulging myself in a
walk to sniff the fresh air beyond the boun-
Diary of the great city in which lived
presented a charming picture of rural
beauty and an endless variety Of rural plea
sures
had been all my life so closely tied to
school, to college, to lecture, and to books,
that felt quite proud of my sporting
skill, when, on the second evening of my
visit, l returned home with my cousin
bearing single partridge brought down by
my gun.
We were walking down shady lane-l
remember, it was Vineyard LANE smooth.
ing and admiring the soft plumage Of my
bird, when Fred, my cousin, directed my at
tentiOn to small cottage standing on thu
left-hand side of the lane.
''There, Charles" said he, "lives Mrs
Collins. Sheis a widow, and has two daugh
ters, Mary and Geraldine. If you like, W.
will call they are pretty girls, and you viii
be pleased with them"
He opened the little gate, and we walked
toward the cottage. | thought it the love
liest place l had ever seen. Roses were
every where covering the walls, peeping ir
at the windows, and coquetting with tn,
| chimneys. AS we neared the cottage tn,
door opened, and Geraldine ran out. Sh
was very pretty-a lively, saucy style o
beauty that you could not be offended with
let her use that sharp tongue of hers will
ever such pert satire. But at the momen
first saw Geraldine, she looked far NOR
dolorous than saucy, as, running to m,
cousin, she said--''Oh, Maynard, we hav
had such an accident; Mary was training
the rose tree, when her foot slipped and sh
fell off the ladder. Mamma thinks she ha
! broken her ankle, for she is in such dreadful
pain"
Then" said Fred, 1--WE have just calleG
in time, for my cousin herc-Mr. Boulding
Miss Geraldine Collins-my cousin, who i.
a surgeon, will soon examine the injurnet
member"
THAT is fortunate. l am so glad yo,
Called said Geraldine, as we followed hel
into parlor, such tiny parlor, half-flleC
by the sofa which stood opposite the door
| had cause to remember that sofa--upor
which Mary lay. The moment saw her
felt inclined to quarrel with Fred-I shoult
| like to have knocked him down for calling
her pretty girl Pretty she was divine
one of those marvellous creatures whom t,
look at was to reverence and love- Afte,
the first look forgot every thing around
all saw was the glorious face now drawn
with pain before me. believe an old lad,
in black silk came in, and spoke to me tina
she placed in my hand her daughters injur
ed foot. have some indistinct idea that
ascertained it to be only sprained ankle
that ordered bandages and lamentations
upon which the lovely patient professed her
self relieved. also think made some re
marks about the weather, and ended by en-
treating Mary's acceptance Of the partridg,
l had shot
After that, as long as remained in tn,
country, called regularly every morning a
the cottage to inquire how the ankle was pro
crossing. My morning visits usually LASTED
until dinner time, but never found courag,
to speak to Mary Of the great love growing
up towards her in my heart Instead o
making love, l was wondering what sh
thought Of my long nose and ugly mouth
or thinking if she disliked the spectacles
was always Obliged to wear, and whethe
she quizzed me after | was gone. l wa
also very uneasy at the presence of certain
Walter Harbury at the cottage much NOR,
frequently than thought necessary, ant
who was far more familiar " ith my Mar,
than exactly pleased me.
| However, the last morning visit | made
summoned all my courage and declared
my love for Mary-not to herself, but to he
mother.
Mrs. Collins was very willing. She coul,
not have chosen, she said, more desirabl
husband for Mary. She should be Thankful
to see the dear child married with such goo,
prospects. Mary was called. Istammeret
out something about the great affection l en-
tertained for her. She smiled, blushed, ant
we were engaged.
/ | went back to town and worked like
slave. l started in my profession, an,
wrote every other day to Mary accounts Q
how was getting on. She sentme in repl,
little notes, on rose-ti tinted paper-thc mos
attectionate and charming imaginable.
took small house, and furnished it iron
cellar to garret.
Sometimes gave myself treat and spen
the Sunday with Mary. Delicious days +
Shall l ever forget the exquisite pleasure o
sitting near her, watching the play of he
beautiful features, or listening to tn
lively chat that fell from her bcwitchin,
lips.
Wehad been engaged three months, whel
a circumstance occurred that resulted il
my being suddenly subpened to attend a
witness in q case that was to be tried in
town near to which my Mary lived. Itwa
only eight miles from Wellington, and
resolved, after the trial was ended, t,
/ suallc ouo,. and arixn Mar,, dnliahffal c,,r