The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-10-13

society, and in spite OF herself, he drew her
out. Under that quiet exterior he saw re-
served power that marked this girl as quite
different from the generality of worldlings.
He forced her, without her knowledge, to be
herself. When he tool; his departure, aunt
Attic met him at the door.
''Wcll," she said, an expectant look in her
eyes.
81 think | understand her case"
"Oh. doctor, and is she very ill | have
been trying to think if there was any insani-
ty in our family | don't believe there ever
was.
"She is keen witted enough, "replied the
doctor, smiling.
"You should see her when she is in good
spirits"
'She is SO sometimes
Occasionally, and then want everybody
to be by. She is 50 brilliant, dear child |!
But you have not told me what ails her.
II cannot tell yet-you must watt he re-
Piled
SIS it serious ?"
1T might be if not attended to-" was the
reply. as the doctors face grew grave.
Can you cure her?
II think l can,"
''Heaven bless you, Doctor Gray You
have fitted weight from my heart When
will you come again?"
"In a day or two. have left no medi-
cine. must study her case further. Good
evening, madam"
Dear me, how mysterious" muttered poor
aunt Attic, when he had gone II am afraid
it's hereditary whatever it is" and she went
in the parlor. Lurlnc sat in u revery. She
had let all her curls down, and they tloated
over neck and shoulders, lifted by the soft
summer breeze.
"Well DEAR" said aunt Attic as she bus
| tied about, ''What do you think Of our doc
| tor ~
'Doctor-what doctor?" asked Lurline,
| lifting her mourntul eyes
My child, he was here to ight-vou have
been talking with him."
.'Oh, yes! Was that the doctor ?' and her
face took on more viyacity of expression. II
had quite forgotten who had been here
Has he large practice ?"
The only physician here,' was the reply.
Il wonder if you'll mind, aunty, if 90 to
bed. | feel so tired.'
mo, dear, you're to do Just as you please
while you are with me-
"Aunty, how kind you are to met she
said, in her low, plaintivc voice. Il don't
deserve that you should be so kind
Hear the child!" laughed aunt Attic.
''Why bless your heart, my darling, why
Sn0ulttl [ L Dc. one arose from her chalr
and kissed her niece on the forehead.
Three nights atterWard, Doctor Gray call
ed again. and again Lurlinc received him in
differently.
On being left alone with her, the doctor
set his lips together The decisive moment
had come, and it required no ordinary cour-
age to save her. He laid his hand on her
arm--a light touch; but she almost sprang
from her chair.
"My young friend" he said calmly, al
most solemnly, Il am going to speak to you
as a professional man. How long since you
contracted the habit ?"
She grew scarlet, then white as death, bit
her lips. Her breath came quicker, but her
eyes dropped guiltly.
''To what do you refer, sir?" she asked,
with naughty voice and manner.
1.-The habit of opium eating, Miss Lurline."
She fairly lightencd in her sudden wrath
as she confronted him again; but she met a
glance so full Of pity, of reproof, that her
false courage gave way. Her head dropped
her hands We're clasped over her eyes, and
she burst into a passion of tears.
'1ou are no gentleman to charge me thus
to come upon me unawares," she sobbed
Indignantly; II never asked you to come-I
never sent for you. | don't wish your ad-
vice." and again her voice was choked with
tears.
81 should not be doing my duty to my
God or to you, if | held my peace" He
went on in the same solemn voice. and there
was reproot in it "You are young; you
move in society where elegance and luxury
are in the ascendent You have fine Wig
orous constitution. What, with all your ad-
yantages, your pleasures, in world SO gay,
could induce you to form this habit9"
Because | am dissatisfied with all the
world" was her passionate reply. 81 am
sick OF life. am weary of dressing, dane
ing and smiling. They are all falso-I have
despise hollow friendship. For all this |
grew dispirited, nervous, till--till-"
II see it ALL" said the DOCTOR pityingly,
for it was sad to hear from the lips of one so
young: "All is vanity and vexation of spir-
its"
1t was a terrible exhibition of Pleasures
boasted trilmphs-her poor yotary, wearied.
haggard and wretched, craving false ex-
citement that only led her feet to walk on
burning Goals,
sit does not make you happy" he said.
"Happy." !" and there was a mocking echo
in her voice. She caught the expression of
his eyes, and her mood changed She look
ed unlovely, hard, cold, cruel; but this was
also fllSc, anu cOtiu not luSt. In q moment
the hot tears were falling, and her voice,
weary and passlonless, groaned out the
words:
"Oh, wish | was dead"
ga strange wish" he said slowly. '.for
one that knows that not one purpose of her
soul is fit for the eyes of her Maker"
''You are harsh, sir. Why do YOU preach
to me ?" she asked, her whole nature reused
81 am only true" ho continued, that same
look in his face that called up the bushes to
her cheek. You are sleeping your life in
crime, degrading the beautiful gifts that God
has given you, inviting remorse and misery
You cannot find happiness, my poor child, in
any of these things. 1t is the Gift of God
and you must ask it of him only''
Her face was hidden from him. but the
proud heart was touched, melted into contri-
ton.
II am going, Miss Lurline; forgive me if
l have panied you. God knows it was hard
to do. Good night"
''Stop!'
1t was the voice Of command.
Lurline had thrown her hair back, and
now stood upright.
II want to say something want to tell
you that l think you are the noblest man
ever saw"