The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-10-25

thoughts Come ! r ...,..
The doctor knew his patient ..
But you're not in earnest, surely ?" Their
was haf amused twinkle in the lady's eyes
Never more in earnest. I'm going to Sc,
patient just out ofthe city, and the driv,
will be a charming one. Nothing woult
please me better than TO have your company.
There was a vein ofhumor, and spirit o
don't care' in Mrs. Carleton, which hat
once made her Independent, and almost hoy
deuish. But, fashionable associations. since
her woman-liie began, had toned her dowr
into exceeding propliety. Fashion and con
ve tionalty, however, were loosing their in
iuence, since enfecbled health kept her feet
back from the worlds gay places and the
doctors invitation to a ride found her suffi
ciently disanthralled to see in it a pleasing
novelty. ... s.... sa...... .....
I've half mind to CO." she sid, smiling
She had not smiled before since the doctor
came in
"lll ring for your maid," and doctor Far.
leigh's han d was on the bell rope before Mrs
Carleton had space to think twice, and en-.
'langer a change of thought.
Pm not sure that | am strong enough
for the effort" said Mrs. Carleton, and she
laid her head back upon the cushions in a
feeble way.
Trust me for that" replied the doctor.
The maid came in.
Bring me shawl and my bonnet, Alice
| am going to ride out with the doctor.'-
Very languidly was the sentence spoken
"i'fn afraid. doctor, it will be too much for
me. You don't know how weak am. The
very thought of such an effort exhausts me. ~
Not a thought of the effort replied Doc
tor Farleigh. 1T isn't that ..n
"What is it ~
a thought Of appearances of what peo
pie viii say .....
Now, doctor you don't think me SC
weak in that direction"
Just 50 weak was the free-spoken an.
swer. You fashionable people are all afraid
of each other. You haven't spark of indi
vIdualjty or true Independence. No, not a
spark !! You are quite strong enough to ride
Ut in your own elegant carriage but with
the doctor !-oh, dear, no IF you were GER
tain of not meeting Mrs. McFlimsey, perhaps
the experiment might be adventured. But,
she is always out on fine days"
doctor, for shame How can you say
| that ?" .-.....
And ghost of color crept into the face OF
Mrs. Carleton, while her eyes grew brighter
almost flashed
The maid came in with shawl and bonnet.
Doctor Farleigh, as we have intimated, un-
derstood his patient, and said just two or
three words more, in tone halfcort mptuous.
Afraid of Mrs. McFlimsey u
1t was not the ghost of color that warmed
Mrs. Carleton's face now, but the crimson
ofa quicker and stronger heartbeat She
actually arose from her chair without reach
ing for her maids hand, and stood firmly
while the shawl was adjusted and the bonnet
strings tied.
"We shall have a charming ride" said
| the doctor, as lie crowded in beside his fash
ionabe lady companion, and took up the
loose reins. He noticed that she sat up
erectly, and with scarcely sign of the Lam
gor that but few minutes before had so op-
pressed her. Lean back when you see Mrs.
| McFlimsey's carriage, and draw your veil
closely. She'll never dream that it's you"
"Ill get angry if ycu play on that string
much longer ~ exclaimed Mrs. Carleton ;
what do care for Mrs. McE1imSey ~
How chariningly the rose -tints flushed her
checks How the light rippled in her dark
sweet eyes, tina, were leaden little while
before.
Away from the noisy streets, out upon
the smoothly beaten road, and amid green
fields and woodlands, gardens and flower.
decked orchards, the doctor bore his patient
holding her all the while in pleasant talk
How different, this, from the listless, com
panionless drives taken by the lady in lei
own carriage-a kind of easy, vibrating ma
chine, that quickened the Sluggish blood nc
more than cushioned rocking-chair.
| Closely the doctor observed his patient
He saw how erectly she continued to sit
how the color deepened in her face, which
actually seemed rounder and fuller how tht
the sense of enjoyment fairly danced in he,
eyes.
Returning to the city by different road
the doctor, after driving through streets en-
tirely unfamiliar to his companion, drew W
his horse before row of mean looking dwell
ings, and dropping the reins. threw open thu
carriagc-door, and stepped upon the pave
ment-at the same time reaching out hi,
hand to Mrs. Carleton. But she drew back
saying
"What is the meaning of this, doctor?"
IL have a patient here and want you t.
see her"
30 no. excuse me, doctor I've no tast
for such things" answered the lady,
Come can't leave you alone in tn,
carriage Nedrmiglt take fancy to wall
off with you"
Mrs. Carleton glanced at the patient ole
horse. whom the doctor was slandering Will
a slightly alarmed manner.
Don't you think he'll stand, doctor ?" sh,