Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1870-11-03
THE DOCTORS STORY.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

"Do you think he will Gene soon
Mildred?'
Il don't know, Minnie. Is the oof
fee ready?"
"Yes, it is all prepared, and the slip.
pers are toasting in front OF the big
easy chair. | wish he would come!
wish he would come! Mi!ired, sup.
pose you and ! make solemn, mu.
tual contract, never to marry a doc
tor?"
laughed involuntarily at my little
sisters face Of comic seriousness.
eve had much better wait until a
doctor woos us" said, with grave,
elder-sisterly air "Get your book,
Minnie; we can read page at least in
that odd old German story while we
are waiting"
How the tempest ragged around our
house on that dreary December night
Minnie and | shuddered instinctlveIv,
safe and sheltered as we knew our
selves to be, beside the white-hot CRATE,
with velvet carpets underneath our
feet, and crimson curtains, shutting
out the tempestu0us storm and dark
ness of the outer world We had clos
ed the piano and laid aside our draw
ing, and were now sitting side by side,
thoughtlnlly awaiting Uncle Nor
daunt's return, for the clock pointed to
midnight and he had been absent since
comparatively early hour in the eve
ming.
| AT length there was sharp, quick
ring at the door bell, a familiar foot
step stamping off the snow in the hall
below, and Uncle Mordaunt's genial
face appeared, framed in furs, and ROSY
as winters apple with the touch of
the keen night air.
"Well, girls, sitting up for me, eh?
Upon my word, think your in a fair
way to spoil the old bachelor he said
cheerily.
eve could not go to bed while you
were out on such night as this, un-
cle," said Minnie, a housewifely little
sprite, as she rang the bell for his GUS
tomary cup of fsmoking coffee; while l,
the eldest, yet most petted one, took
my seat close beside the big arm chair,
with my cheek nestled upon my un
cle's knee.
"How did it happen that you were
detained so late, uncle?' asked Minnie.
81 have been at the death bed of an
old friend to night" said DR.. Nor
daunt, thoughtfully gazing at the ruby
red glow of the Goals as he stirred his
fragrant coffee.
"An old friend, uncle! Who can it
be?"
"Do you remember seeing Thornton
Gray here oecasionally?"
"What! that tall slender man, with
large black eyes, that Minnie calls
caves of smouldering fire, and hair Gu
riously streaked with gray?"
Exactly, my love! Well it as to
bis bedside that l was summoned TO-
night, and he is dead. Fortunate man."
repeated my uncle slowly, che is
deadi"
"Why do you call him fortunate,
Uncle Mordaunt?" asked, half-awed
by the singular tone of his voice.
because, Mildred, his life has been
sorrowful dream-a succession of
mistakes, darkly shadowed with mys-
terry; and now, at last, the curtain Of
gloom is lifted on the other shore of the
dark river!''
'"Tell US about it, uncle" said.
''Listen then, my DEAR" said Mr..
Mordaunt, stroking down my curls
with an involuntary movement of his
hand-a motion that | felt was only
semi-conscious. "Let me see; it is
now eighteen -nineteen-yes. twenty
years-how time flies; to be sure! =
since | went down from the vicinity Of
New York to small inland village by
stage-coach, then the most usual meth
cd of travel. 1t was dismal stormy
night, not unlike the present one. and
my fellow passenger was a woman
closely yelled, and apparently in great
distress of mind. Once when the
stage-coach stopped for a moment in
front of some brilliantly lighted inn
door, l caught glimpse of her face, as
she resllessly adjusted the folds of the
thick black veil. 1t was that Of
young girl, scarcely more than six
teen, and surprisingly lovely. Once
or twice, in the darkness, l thought l
heard a sob, and was almost tempted
to speak, and ask her what her troubles
were"
~Oh, uncle, why did not you?" ca
gerly reproached Minnie.
Il probably should, were | placed in
similar circumstances now; there is no
knowing what good a chance word of
cheer, or sympathy, may sometimes
effect, but / was younger and more
timid then, and she was total stran-
ger to NE. At a village called Brand
ford, the stage stopped for the night,
and lsaw no more Of my mysterious
companion.
''The next morning l was adjusting
my fur wrappings on the steps of the