The Van Buren press., 1870-07-05
VAN BUREN, ARK, JULY. S, 1870

there was no uOuDI aOOut tuat-it Cou'
mean only one thing: Lonely" Yes
indeed Dear. delicate little Miss Ushe
had oft felt so, but there seemed no he'll
for it. There was no one in partlcula
she wished to have live with her and NJ
one to marry to suit her taste. DIR, Ray
mond, to be sure-he was so superior
so good but then she had never though
he would marry again-he vas so devo
ted to his first wife. And thinking hoS
fond she had once been of that wife, am
how fond she was still Of that little Kit.
and Willy. and what a lonely lite il was
after all, tor man to try to keep hous
for himself. Miss Usher felt her chsel
flushing and glow aud stir coming
into her heart, which quite made her for
get how i'll she had fancied herself jus
before
That ,ame becoming flush lit her chez
as she ade her toilet for the evsnine
after the "brisk walk" recommended
which had sent her home with an appe
tite for dinner What with the little cal
Of muslin and blue ribbons on her head
and the dainty apron, and the bit of worl
In her fingers, and bright fire, and all, ,sh'
was pleasant picture. the docto
thought when he came in, an hour later
and, what is more, he said so.
"Well This looks cheerful Wo
men certainly have knack Of maxim!
rooms cosy, which men never get Now
| found out at once that it was growing
cold as / sat in my Office. and don
think you have felt it at all in this snus
little bower Of yours. And how are you
to nightp'
The doctor was shaking hands all th'
time he said this. He had warm cordia
way with him which is SO valuable to |
physician; but somehow, tonight. i
seemed more marked than usual. Miss
Usher withdrew her fingers with little
twtter.
Take this chair, Doctor; it is com
Portable one"
The Doctor sank. nothing 10th, into
the soft depths
"Well, did you take the prescription ?
"The walk Oh, yes. and feel much bet
ter, thank you"
"That's right. I knew you would
And how did you like the othcr?'
"The other l'-with the deepening
color---" Oh! | liked it very well tina,
is, very much
I'm glad to hear it. 1t was simple
thing, but thought il would suit you
| scrubbed line to go with it because
wanted to ensure your getting out to
day. and now l want little plain talk
with you on the same point. Let me ask
to begin with, don't you think you have
lived alone long enough ~
Perhaps so.'' replied Miss Usher
with maidenly hesita;ion-but--."
/" You see,' interrupting, II we coult
have some young person with you--a
brigh, eyed girl, of Kittys age. for IN
stance-who would be an interesting
companion, and not much Of a charge. !,
would be the very thing It's sitting
here, forlorn and solitary. and having no
body to keep you company or urge you
to go out, which is playing the mischief
with your nerves and making you fancy
Yourself an invalid. You are no more
sick than | am You only need rousing
Now, don't you think SO yourself
Couldn'tyou bring your mind to like it -
Miss Usher huttered. looked up. turn
ed scarlet, and looked down again.
"Its easy to find the person you want, v
went on the unconscious doctor, "Ill
see TO that Only say the word"
~ have been so used to living alone,
that I'm half fafraid to try the experiment.
But if had you to help me, doctor
"Of course you'll have me-" said the
"that's my business, you
know"
Business !"
"Oh well-pleasurc, too, of course
but it is business after all. What's a
great, strong man fit for if he cannot
look after little delicate souls like you
to cay nothing of my being your doctor,
and YOU my poor Mary's school friend
'Tis an agreement. then2 In that case,
I'll lock about me at once. and begin to
make arrangements
BIT" nterposed Miss Usher, timid.
~. "are YOU sure as 10 Kitty's and VIII.
ly's feelings, doctor?'
kitty and Willy!
Yes. Because, You know. even II
you meant every word Of that sweet little
letter this morning, it would have to de
pend great deal upon that. ! couldn't
do anything to gricve their dear little
hearts"
my letter! What was my letter p
mused the puzzled doctor. do you
happen to have it about you? ! want to
see if ! made any mistake in the quaint
ties
With deeper bushes, Miss Usher drew
it from her pocket.
Here it is,' she said )" think a great
deal Of it, assure you"
Doctors, by dint of long practice, &C
quire great command over the facial
Our doctor was master of his
He surveyed the Aowery page with out.
ward composure; but within, his soul
was rent with conyulsiun of wonder.
ment and mirth which was terrible.
"How in the world did come by this
nonsensical farrago = he asked himself !,
9 and how ever am / to explain to this
poor little soull'
Aud suddenly it popped into his head,
I" Why not I" What with the blue rib
bons, the flushed checks. the pleasant
room, his full knowledge of her sweet
temper and lady-like ways, the idea was
not unattractivc.
Not bad thing for any OF us" NUT
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