Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-09-20

embarrassed at SO unaccustOmed perform
ance, he kissed her on the forehead. 1t
was hard to say which was the more blush
ing and confused-the kisser or the kissed.
After this the doctor was more than
ever at the captains lodgings in Calthorpe
street. His care for his patient was unre-
hitting. Captain Lance mended- slowly,
but certainly.
The doctors coachman treated himself
to more and more smiles of furtive sort,
especially when the doctor persuaded Milly
now and then to take drive, and accom-
pany him on a round of professional calls !;
she remaining in the carriage, of course,
while he saw his patients, wrote prescrip-
tions, and fingered pulses and fees. The
coachman even ventured to confde to few
favored intimates his opinion that there
would, before long, be young missus :"
presiding over the establishment in Harley
street.
DR.. Dendy was very happy. Perhaps
he wished, now and then, that Milly would
look little less grave; but then he con-
soled himself with the reflection that it was
best so.
1t would be too absurd, at my time of
life, to marry romping, giggling girl. |
have no right to expect from her extrava-
CANT affection. | must work for her love
and earn it. In that way | shall surely
gain 1t at last; at present it is little too
like gratitude. But time will change that
time and my own affection for her
Dear little Milly !"
He was himself a staid, torbearing,
rather stately lover In such wise he
surely recommended himself to esteem
For her love he was content to wait, and
labor, and hope.
Like most men of great mental activity
the doctor was always very busy with his
fingers. His abundant vitality demonstrate
ed itself i'll a certain restlessness of body
and limb As he talked he liked to curl
up a string, or fold up pipelight, or snip
paper with pair Of scissors. He toyed
with Milly's tapes and cottons, let loose
her needles from their case, stuck pins into
her pincushion in curious forms and pat
terms. One day as he sat beside her in
playful mood Captain Lance being asleep
in an adjoining room), he turned her work
box over bodily, strewing its contents all
about the table.
He took up carved ivory card-case,
and examined it curiously
That was a present from Hong Kong
Is it not beautifully cut !? /" Milly asked
There was flush upon her cheeks as
she spoke He had opened the card-case,
which was deemed, perhaps, too good for
use; indeed, Nilly had few friends upon
whom TO call and leave cards, and her case
b.+ u T,1
out
That is my cousin, Mark Lance He
it was who sent me the card-case He
represented mercantile house at Hong
Kong" Her voice trembled a little as She
volunteered this explanations
d" Has he been out there long ?" the
doctor asked, quietly.
He came home two years ago. He
went out first Of all quite as boy"
a very good looking young fellow
The doctor closed the card-case. He
next took up carefully tied packet
Those are Marks letters" said Milly,
rather breathlessly =. He generally writes
about every other mail Of late, however,
he has not been 50 regular. | thought we
should have heard from him last week, but
no letter came
The doctor looked thoughtful. Had not
something like sigh escaped her as she
said that no letter had come Did she
then long SO very much to have tidings of
her cousin? He turned the letters over
and over, poising them in his hand
Il see they are addressed to you.
Milly,' he said There was further in
quiry i'll the expression of his face
Would you like to read them ;" she
asked, simply. Mark writes amusing
letters He gives such a capital account
of his life at Hong Kong. l think it would
amuSe you to read it."
No, thank you, Milly." And he press
ed her hand tenderly, as he gave her back
the letters. For a moment he had doubted
her. but he dismissed his doubts Still he
could not repress feeling of jealousy in
regard to this cousin of Milly's-this Mark
Lance. 1t was comfort to reflect, how
ever that Hong Kong was a very long way
off
In the course of few days there was
another visitor calling in Calthorpe street.
Mark Lance had arrived from Hong Kong.
He had written no letter it appeared, be-
I Nhh7S ~ "s'7 'Ohlhs- III BtlSOu
DIR. Dendy, attending his patient with
customary punctua.ity, found the young
man in the drawing-room. and recognized
him at once. Only, the doctor was not
especially pleased to discover the photo
graph hardly did Mr.. Mark Lance Justice
He was, in truth, far handsomer than he
appeared in his carte de viste-a tall
broad, muscular gentleman, with a sun.
burnt skin, bright untiinching blue eyes
and very white and perfect set of teeth
Milly seemed nervous and III at ease
avoided her cousins gaze answered him
monosyllabicalIy. He had brought with
him all sorts Of presents for her-shawls
scarfs, fans, feathers, paintings. Oriental
curiosities, and valuable knick-knackerv
She hardly looked at these treasures how.
ever; could with difficulty return hel
cousin common words of thank sgiving
She was at pains to avoid conversing with
him-sought excuses for quitting him. III,
surveyed her with surprised eyes IVA,
this Milly?" he was asking himself AnC
he felt wronged and hurt
DR.. Dendy cast searching glances a, til,
cousins.
q / must 20 now,' said Mark, abruptly
Z" have business at the ships agents in tn,
city"
. l suppose we shall see you again soon p
Milly asked, in faint tones, looking ava,
from him as she spoks
< suppose So" he answered carelessly
:" I'm going your way into the city-tt
the Ostrich insurance Office, in Cornhill,
said DIR Dendy to the young man. lie
me give you lift in my brougham you'll