The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-01-04

l had strange feeling at the moment of
Deing not one, but three-the me of oldeu
time, the me of latter days and the mo
contemplating these two former personnels.
as one might a couple of his own photo
graphs.
You were gay, debonnair sort of fel.
low, said, turning to one of these. "and
merry dance you made of life. and if
were to introduce you to this" turning to
the other, at would be somewhat afterthis
fashion, self to self's ghost.''
In that hour which one would naturally
have supposed to be solemn one. I was
rather possessed of a feeling of strange Ji-
zdTre relightness, and laughed at fancy. while
examined my pistol with touch almost
caressing.
At thls moment most remarkable thing
happened-a most uncommon and unusual
thing. My office bell rang.
had waited so long in vain forthis same
event to occur that 1 had half mind to
treat it disdainfully, with contempt at this
eleventh hour. But after all when one
plays at balance with life and death, each
one should have fair field and no favor.
SO laid my pistol by with whispered
Wait " and answered the summons.
L recognized the porter of. the Darley
House as opened the door.
Yees wanted at the hoose," he said, in
his broad Irish brogue, "there's a grand
Teddy sint foryees.''
''Very well, Tim,' answered. as nom
chalently asif "grand leddies" were in the
habit OF sending for Doctor Launce at all
hours, "Ill be along directly"
As stepped back into my room for my
overcoat, the pistol shining on the shelf
seemed somehow very different from what
1t had few moments before. I even was
conscious of a little shudder as glanced
that way, and as walked along over the
crisp snow, the keen, bracirg air seemed
torouse and awaken rne as if from night
mare.
But if had any visions of achieving a
professional reputation from the difficulty
OF this providential case of mine, they were
dissipated at once as | entered one of the
parlors ofthe barley House and saw before
me my patient. Never was the seal of per-
feet health moro plainly set ON lin and
cheek, OF displayed in the full flowing of
woman's figure than in hers who awaited
me, half reclined on deep luxuriarst arm
chair
Doubtless my face betrayed my astonish-
mcnt, for, dismissing the servant on some
tritiing errand she said, the roses deepening
in her cheeks, and a shade of embSrrass
ment perceptible in her voice, despite her
assured coolness:
You eright Doctor Launce. | am no
more sick than you are. And yet for rea-
sons that cannot explain, but which I as
sure you art not in the slightest degree re-
prehensible, | wish to appear So If you
will only treat me rs nearly as possible
as you would if lwere afflicted with violent
pneumonia, will be so very, very much
obliged"
The large, soft, brown ewes looked plead
ingly full into mine and the rich voice
'''' A"'' Va ShtiS"IJ 40 Slc pIOHcTcu InlS
singular request
hesitated little, more from astonisl
ment than anything else
81 pledge you my word you shall nevel
regret it, she said, "nor II she added lit
tie proudly.
Just then the servant re-entered. \
well simulated expression of pain crossed
her fair face and she quickly put her hand to
her side.
There was no time for further considcra
ton ! accepted the situation.
The pain is almost constant now. is ii
not - said gravely. Then seating my
self at the table, and remarlxing thar quit,
frequently put up my own prescription,
prepared potion supposed to be very pow
erful, but of course perfectly simple anil
! harmless.
/ q iitrlc CLEAN of pleasure in her eye dbi