Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-03-23
CUMBERLAND, MD, THURSDAY, MARCH %, 1866

man who ID fortunate enough to secure her
heart can form her character in almost any
mould" . .Ya.r..lt 4tsn.tf .rsr
Mics Carleton made a little grimace. I'd;
"And DO you really love that girl, Ed
ward ?"
May" said Carleton. laughing. that is
hardly fair question, Alice. under the cir
cumstances. However. / am not unwilling
to confess that admire her." a# .l-
"Adnire !" repeated Alice Carleton, doubt
fully. '.''''. - .-7-', e'''''''' .
Yes. admire" said Carleton, quietly. i
never saw but one person whom l really
thought could love. as a man should love
the woman who is to share his life. and she =
Here's your bonnet. Alice. all right at last
Comc-rm i'll a hurry"
"As you always are" said Alice, laughing
Your wife, whomsoeve she may be, will
have sore need of the divine gift of patience ~
"A man ought te be in hurry when forty
patients or so are still down on his list. and
the sun scarcely an hour above the horizon !'
said DR.. Carleton. philosophically, as he lifted
his sister into the sleigh '
Nina Pelham was never in better spirits
and had never looked lovelier than at the
moment she entered DR.. Carleton's trim little
sleigh, in the dazzling winter noon of the
next day. The exquisite plumes of the new
French hat feat like soft cloud above the
pink roses that harmonized so perfectly with
the faint flush on her cheeks and through
the embroidered drapery of her arms the coral
bracelets cleaned like rosy serpcnts Her
lips were all smiles, her eyes all liquid bright
ness and although she noticed that Dr.
Carleton was unusually silent as he arranged
the leopard skin robes Of the sleigh around
her. she chattered on, full of lively, girlish
vivacity
"Why. where are we going?' she ex-
claimed, as the spirited horses were suddenly
turned into an unprctending and secluded
street, instead of darting Parkwards.
Il am taking you to-day in an entirely
new direction, said DR.. Carleton, composedly.
Il was called yesterday. in most unex-
pected manner. to attend little patient,
whose sister, as l Understood, was an old
schoolmate OF yours, and an old acquaintance
of us both p ..f
"IndeAd {" exclaimed Nina, unconsciously !;
and may ask ---' "- y .a'
"It was Mis- Anna Wharton"
as it possible 2" cjacula,ed Nina, with
well-acted surprise, although tho cold sink
ing at her heart nearly cbokcd her voic,
/" Poor, dear Anna-I hope she is we'll"
Far from it," said the young physician.
gravely. "And what is harder still to bear,
she is in great want-almost penury!"
He looked penetratingly at her az he spoke.
Il wish had known it !" said Nina, art
lessly it would have given me so much
pleasure to assist her. Why did she not
conc to me for aid 2? should like to see her
again"
/" Your wishes shall be gratfcd. am
bringing you to her humble home to day.
returned Carleton, gravey, as be drew up his
horses close to the curbstonc "Allow me
to escort you up the stairs-they are somc-
what steep and narrow to unaccustomcd feet"
Miss Pelham followed him, scar ,ely know
ing what she was about so chagrned and be-
wilIercd was she at the unexpected turn
events had taken. As they reached the Sec
ond landing place. he threw open door and
beckoncd her 10 enter
The room revealed to her sight was very
small, aud scanti.y furnished. yet c1quisitely
neat On low couch near the wbite-cul-
tanned winkow. lay a sick child. with wan,
attenuated cheeks. and eyes that seemed to
burn with preternatural lustre. and close be-
side him sat Anna Wharton.
miss Auna," said tire doctor. as she rose
in some surprise at their, entrance. hero is
your friend. Miss Pelham. wish her fully
to understand, through you. that am per-
fectly aware Of the depth and sincerity of her
friendship, as excmpli6ed in the case of the
coral bracelets she now wears" ,.r1..a
Nina turned pale and red by turns; she
almost wished that the earth might open and
swallow her up, SO bitterly mortified was she
at that Instant ....... ..t.f.f .......
ID. B." Wait a moment, if you plcaSe Miss Pei
ham." said DR. Carleton. with freezing po-
litcneSs, ALLOW me to return this FIVE dol
lar bill to YOU. as Miss Wharton, who is to
become my wife in the course of a few weeks.
has no present need for it. Her gratitude is
of course proportioned to your extreme gen.
crosby. My servant will drive you to your
home." he added, cas- circumstances debar
my accompanying you in person." ..-.
And Nina Pelham left the room with the
comfortable conviction that she bad lost
lover. and Anna Wharton had gained one.
Is it strange that, under these crcum-
stances. she thought the c1ral bracelets rather
dearly bought? uDtf -,f...
IT Is u curious feature Of the recent general
election in Australia, that female houyeholders
voted, the new electoral act having conferred