, 1862-06-19
A visit With the poctof.

catey traced, spread its blue lines everywhere be
meath the transparent skin. II was beautiful
hand-a study for painter or sculptor. 1t was Q
soft, flexible hand-sOtt, flexible, and velvety to
the touch, as the hand Of baby for it was as much
stranger to useful work. The doctor laid bis
fingers on the wrist. Under the pressure he felt
the pulse beat slowly and evenly He took out
his watch and counted the beats-seventy in o
minute. There was no fever, nor any unusual dis
turbance Of the system. Calmly the heart was
doing its appointed work
How IS your head, Mrs. CarletOnr
The lady moved her head from side to side two
or three times.
Anything out Of the way thereH"
"My head Is well enough but feel so misera-
ble-so weak. haven't the strength Of a child.
The least exertiOn exhausts me-"
And the lady shut her eyes, looking the picture
"Have you taken the tonic for which left
prescription yesterday
"Yes; but I'm no stronger"
How is your appetite :"
bad"
Have you taken the morning walk in the gar
den that suggestedr
80 dear, no! Walk out in the gardeni Tn
faint BY the time get to the breakfast room.
can't live at this rate, doctor Whai am to do?
Can't you build me up in some way? I'm bur-
den to myself and every one else" And Mrs. Carrie
ton looked really distressed.
"YOu ride ont every dayT"
Il did until the carriage was broken, and that
was nearly week ago. 1t has been at the car
riagemakers ever since"
"YOu must have the fresh air, Mrs. Carleton"
said the doctor, emphatically. aFresh air, change
Of scene, and exercise, are indispensable 10 your
casa. You will die II you remain shut up after this
fashion. Come, take ride with me-"
/ 4 l.. 4 .s.,,l Il
ton, almost shocked by the suggestion. Ride
with YOU! What would people think 2"
AZ fg for peoples thOlghtsl Get your shawl
| and bonnet and take drive with me. What do
you care for meddlesOme peoples thoughts ~
Come"
The doctor knew bis patient
But you're not in earnesJ surely" There was
haleamused twinkle in the lady's eyes.
HNever more ID earnest. Tn going to zee q
patient Just out Of the city, and the drive will be
charming one. Nothing would please me better
| than to have your company"
There was vein Of humor and spirit Of don't
| care" in Mrs Carleton, which had once made her
independent and almost hoydenish. But fashion
able associations since hes woman-lile began, had
toned her down to exceeding prOpriety. Fashion
and cOnventionality, however. were losing their
influence, since enGeebed health kept her feet back
from the worlds gay places and the doctors invi-
tation to ride found her sufficiently disenthnlled
to see in It pleasing novelty.
"Tve half mind TO 60" she said, smiling. She
had not smiled before since the doctor came in.
"T1l ring for your maid" and DR.. FarleiRh's
hand was on the bell-rope before Mrs. Carleton
had space to think twice, and endanger q change
Of thought.
am not sure that I am strong enough for the
effort" said Mrs. Carleton, and she laid her head
back upOn the cushions in feeble way.
"Trust me for that" replied the doctor.
The maid came in.
going to ride out with the doctor" Very languidy
was the sentence spoken.
"Tm afraid, doctor, Il viii he too much for me.
You don't know how weak am The very thought
Of such an effort exhausts me-"
"Not Thought Of the effort" replied DR.. Far
leigh: "it isn't that"
aWhat Is iti'
"A thought of appearance- what people viii
say"
that direction"
aust 40 weak" was the free-spoken answer
"You fashionable peopearea all afraid Of each other
You haven't spark Of individuality or true indie
pendqnce. No not spark. You are qnite strong
enough to ride out In your own elegant carriage
but with the doctor oh. dear. mol II you were
certain of not meeting Mrs. McFlimsey. perhaps
the experiment might he adventured But she is
ALWAYS ont on fine days"
doctor. for shame! How can you say that!"
And ghost Of color crcpt into the face Of Mrs.
Carleton, while her eyes grew brighter-almost
flashed.
The maid came in with shawl and bonnet. DR..
Farlegh. as we have intimated, understood his
patient and said Just two or three words more half
contempt1odS.
Afraid Of Mrs McFlimseyi"
mot Il nor Of forty Mrs. McFlimseysr
II was not the ghost Of color that warmed Mrs.
Carletnns face now. but the crimson Of a quicker
and strong heartbeat. She actually arose from
her chair without reaching for her maids hand. and
stood firmly while the shawl was adjusted and the
bOnnet-strings tied.
awe shall have a charming ride" said the doc
tor, as he crowded in beside his fashionable lady
companion and took up the loose reins. He no
ticed that she sat up erectly and with scarcely
sign uf the 'anguor that but few minutes before
had 40 oppressed her.
aLean back when you sec Mrs MeFlimsey's
carriage and draw your vail closely. She'll never
dream that its you"
arm get angry Il YOU play on that string much
lOngerw exclaimed Mrs. Carleton. "What do
care for Mrs. McFlimseyi"
How charmingly the rOse-tints flushed her checks!
How the light rpped in her dark sweet eyes that
were leaden Q little while befOrel Away from the
noisy streets, out upon the smOOthly-beaten road,
and amid green fields and woodlands, gardens and
foWerdecked orchards the doctor bore bis patient,
holding her all the while in pleasant talk. How |
different, this from the lisiess, companionleS |
drives taken BY the lady in hef osn carriage-a
kind Of easy, vibrating machine that quickehed |
the sluggish blood no more than cushioned rock
ing chair Closely The doctor observed his patient
He saN hoA eFecf dc continued 70 Sit bow tbe |
color deepeed m her ilce, which actually seemed |
rOundeF and miller; ioa lie seus Of enjoyment |
hiriy danood IN Der eye.