Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-09-07
A Visit with the Doctor.
BY T. s. ARTHUR.

BY T. s. ARTHUR.
How are you to-day, Mrs. Carleton p
asked DR.. Farleigh, as he sat down by his
patient, who reclined languidly in large
cushioned chair.
Miserable was the faint-spoken reply,
And the word was repeated-'Miser-
able
The doctor took one of the lady's small,
white hands, on which the network of
veins most delicstely traced, spread its
blue lines everywhere beneath the trans
parent skin. 1t was beautiful hand-a
study for painter or sculptor. 1t was a
soft flexible hand-soft flexible, and vel
vety TO the touch as the hand of baby,
for it was as much stranger to useful
work. The doctor laid his finger on the
wrist. Under the pressure he felt the
pulse beat slowly and evenly. He took
out his watch and counted the beats
seventy in minute. There was no fever,
nor unusual disturbance of the system.
Calmly the heart was doing its appointed
work.
How is your head, Mrs Carleton ?
The lady moved her head from side to
SIDE TWO or three Llues.
Anything out of the way thereT
MY head is we'll enough, but l feel SO
miserable-so weak, I haven't the strength
of child. The least exertion exhausts
me- And the lady shut her eyes looking
the very picture of feebleness.
Have you taken the tonic for which ]
left prescription yesterdayT
yes, but I'm no stronger
How is your appstiteP
Bad
Have you taken the morning walk IL
the garden that I suggested? p
% dear no! Walk in the garden?
am faint by the time get to the break
fast room 1 can't live at this rate
Doctor. What am 1 to do? I'm bur
den to myself and every one else
And Mrs. Carleton really locked dis
tressed.
You ride out every day ?
Il did until the carriage was broken and
that was nearly a week ago. 1t has been
at the carriage makers ever since
You must have the fresh air, Mrs
Carleton said the doctor, emphAtically
Fresh air, change of scene, and exercise
are indispensable in your case. You will
die if you remain shut up after this fash
ion. Come, take ride with me-
Doctor how absurd ! exclaimed Mrs
Carleton, almost shocked by the sugges
ton. Ride with you! What would
people think p
"A fig for peoples thoughts! Get your
shawl and bonnet and take drive with
me. What do you care for meddlesomt
people's thoughts? Come
The doctor knew his patient.
But you are not in earnest, surely
There was half-amused twinkle in the
lady's eyes.
Never more in earnest. Pm going t.
see a patient just out of the city, and th'
drive will be charming one. Nothing
would please me better than to have you
company
There was a vein Of humor and spiri
of don't care in Mrs. Carleton, which haC
once made her independent, and almos
hoydenish. But fashionable association
since her woman life began, had toned he
down into exceeding propriety. Fashion
and conventiorality, however, were losin!
their influence since enfRebled healtl
kept her feet back from the worlds ga,
places and the doctors invitation TO rid
found her sufficiently disentbralled to Sc
in it pleasing novelty.
I've half a mind to 60, she said, smil
ing. She had not smiled before since tn
doctor came in.
IN ring for your maid and DR. Far
leigh's hand was on the bell-rope befor
Mrs. Carleton had space to think twice
and endanger change of thought.
I'm not sure that I'm strong enough
for the effort" said Mrs. Carleton, an
she laid head back upon the cushions i
a feeble way.
Trust me for that replied the doctor.
The maid came in.
Bring me shawl and bonnet, Alice.
am going to ride out with the doctor
Very lapguidly was the sentence spoken
I'm afraid, doctor, it will be too mucI
for me. You know how weak l am. Th
very thought of such an effort exhaust
me-
Not thought of the effort replied tn
doctor. 1T isn't that
What is it p
"A thought of sppoarance-of wha
people will say
Now, doctor, you don't think me 8
weak in that direction 2
Just so weak was the free spoken an
swer You fashionable people are al
afraid of each other. You haven't spar
of individuality or independence NJ
not spark You are quite stron
enough to ride out in your elegant carr
age-but with the doctor-O dear, no
If you were certain of not meeting Mr.,
McFlimsey, perhaps the experimen
Il ,-h h. 81 d. - =. Il
cut fine days
Doctor, for shame! How can you So,
that p
And ghost Of color crept into the fac
of Mrs. Carleton, while her eyes grey
brighter-almost flashed.
The maid came in with shawl and bon
net. DIR. Farleigh. as we have intimated
understood his patient, and said just tw
or three words more, in tone half con
temptuous.
Afraid of Mrs. McFlimsey ? Not
nor of forty Mrs. McFlimseys.
1t was not the ghost of color tina. warm
ed Mrs. Carleton's face now, but the Grim
son of quicker heart-beats. She actual,
arose from her chair without reaching TO
her maids hand, and stood firmly Will
the shawl was adjusted and the bonnie
strings tied.
we shall have a charming ride sale
the doctor, as he crowded in beside hi
fashionable lady companion and took tn
loose reins. He noticed that she sat n,
erectly and with sign of the lan2uo
! that but few minutes ago had 30 CD
pressed her.
Lean back when you see Mrs. McFlim
sey's carriage, and draw your veil closely
She will never dream that it is YOU
I'LL get angry if you play on that strin,
much longer, exclaimed Mrs. Carleton
What do care for Mrs. McFImseyP
How charming the tints flushed b
sweet eyes, that were leaden little be
fore.