The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-09-09

how lne culu talKs! said Ruth, greatly
amused: "Who has lived the longer, Laura.
you or J? AND now it is time you were pack
ing the ola black trunk. As you 90 upstairs,
please look III lhe clothes-press by the chin
ney, to see if the rain leaks in. have nv
suspicions.n
shall always think that Ruth had a double
motive in this last request, for she hurried
with alacnty in obedience to the call that
reached her few moments later from the
upper hall
Just seew and Laura's tragic gestu re of
despair as she threw open the clOthes-preSs
door was worthy ola Siddons.
1t was indeed torlorn sight.
The air was thick with that indescribably
sickenng smell OF liquid SCOT, while big black
drops trickled fast down the ceiling, and fell
splashing into the large pool they bad formed
on the floor.
81 am not surprised" said Ruth, coolly sur
veving the scene. ut is well that | removed
the things yesterday. The old shingles are
like so much paper protection
at is miserable to be poor!" circulated Lau-
ra, impa.iently.
''Never mind I" was Ruth's consolng ans
wer II shall earn enough this summer to
make every thing snug and trim" And to
Ruth's triumph, Laura made no further OBJ
jections.
v.
Uncle James and Aunt Deborah gladly con-
sented to come. and soon the rumor crept
around the village that repairs were making
at the Bennett place, and Mrs Ruth Ames
was gong to keep boarders.
One evening the chatty landlady of the lit
Tie tavern came busting up to see u.s.
wal, ltyou ant as slick as fiddle up here
L tell EN- you are a master hand, Mis- Ames,
aud no mistake! | seq to John this mornin',
SEE |, shouldn't wonder if Mis-, Ames could
take the new doctor to board"
:" The new doctor?" repeated Ruth, inquir-
ingly.
''Wal, l don't s'pose he's actually settled
yet" was good Mrs Williams reply. at de =
ponds on how he likes Berkeley. He's a friend
Of Judge LOOMS, and was sent for once be-
fore when the Judge had a fit-them Loomis-
es are dreadful fifty set now, l guess
the doctor calculates to spend the summer, if
he can get board in private family. I'll
send HIM up to look at your rooms"
as he old or young?' asked Ruth.
"Wa, middlin,' should say. He's smart
appeariu' man-looks as if when he set out to
do any thing he'd carry his point-but he
don't handsome much, no more than /, and
Mrs Williams tat, homey face wrinkled all
over with her eood-natured smile.
"He's one of the kind like, though" she
added. "He's brown as berry, and has dark
hair aud eyes. | tell 'em if there's one thing
| despise moren another, It's a slack baked
individual"
L. due time DR.. Philip Raymond called
and his quiet gentlemaniy bearing made ia
vorabe impression on both Ruth and Aunt
Deborah AS he looked around the cheerful
parlor, and in the cosy bedroom adjoining, a
pleased smile lighted up his dark face. "This
is my idea of home comfort" he exclaimed
and Immediately engaged the rooms at doub-
lie Ruth's modest estimate.
AS the season advanced, Ruth realized her
expectations of having house filled with
boarders, but whether her experiment was a
great success inancially,I shall leave for her
sometime to tell.
Tne doctor daily grew in favor. Aunt De-
borah especially thought there was nothing
too good for him. When we leased her about
her evident liking, she boldly defended her
self declaring that as all the superintendent
affection OF old women goes either TO their
minister or their doctor, she had a right to
bestow her share upon DR.. Raymond.
Il hear that he is lannon's surgeon" she
remarked, one day, while engaged on her ia
VOrite theme-tbe Doctors merits. IL believe
he can cure Edna's lameness."
felt myself turning white ard faint at The
suggestion OF an operation on my foot. Rutl
er it was plain to perceive that this had ell
tered her mind before.
The first shock over, gradually their conf
deDce inspired me, and finally was persuad
ed to submit to an examination.
Can you bear little pain, Miss Edna. In
my opinion your lameness is not lncurable
| once saw, in Paris hospital, similar case
cured by judiciouS treatment. The operation
VIII require time, and be rather tedious; but
think of the result and have couragew
The1e was something SO strong, temper, and
compassionate in the kind eyes turned lull
upon mine, that bad the doctor desired to dis
sect mel should doubtless have willingly
. nsented.
In the weary weeks of suffering tnat fol
lowed, | learned the noble nature of Philir
Raymond.
Ruth, he is almost good enough for Lau
raj" L exclaimed one evening" shortly attel
my twln-sisters return. In saying this | had
paid him the highest compliment in my pow
er. fer Laura was my idol. "Where are they
Ruth? hear their voices"
"Out on the front doorstep, looking at the
moon and parlez-vousing. Why people with
English tongues wish TO use any other, is past
my comprehension"
Il see how it will all end !" and nestled
contenedly among the pillows of my low
couch, and began to weave delightful 70
nance: in which the couple ON the Doorstep
figured conspicuously.
Ruth, don't you wish it would happen ~
wish what would happen?'
why, Laura and the doctor"
Il don't know that do" replied Ruth dri-
ly.
They will! make charming pair" unused
L; 80 well fitted for each other"
Ruth looked at me searchingly without COM
ment thought her contrary. There was a
little spice of that in her disposition.
DR.. Raymond and Laura seemed to be on
the best terms with each other. Once, l
hoped to surprise her into confession.
"Well, dear, what do you think of him?"
who? The doctor? Oh! he is very nice
only Just little bit of an old bachelor-is he
not, Edna?"
"'Oid bachelor and 'nicn'! Laura, I am
ashamed OF you'll" were my indignant excla-
nations. 'He is pertection And l wanted
you TO like himr'
$50 do, YOU delicious little goose! o, Ed.
ma! where are your eyes? and to my great
perplexity Laura laughed merrily.
"You need not build any castles for me in
that direction, L assure you, Edna" she be-
gan. Besides, L fear l hate the so-called
proper sphere of woman. l long to have a
profession, and the position and influence it
brings. Who does not wish to be genius
For my part, ain tired of always having to
warm myself at other peoples fires! I long
to become pOtoer in the world!"
Her voice rang out sweet and clear, and
her beautiful face gowed with earnest feel
ing.
"Ah! if he could only see her now!''
thought |.
1t was memorable day when 1 graduated
from my couch and crutches.
"Let us celebrate by croquet-party and
tea in the orchard" proposed Laura.
Leaning on DIR. Raymond's arm, walked
very slowly, but unlimpingly, down the yard
to the seat prepared tor me under the trees.
Nothing could exceed the doctors quiet solicit
tu1e tor my comfort. Somehow, | was not
nall SO glad to be better, as might reasonably
be expected. Perhaps it was from thinking
tnat his delicate attentions would soon cease
altogether.
81 am spoiled by so much pett;ng," and my
voice was not quite steady as l thanked the
doctor for his unobtrusive care.
He looked down on me with his rare. BRIGHT
smile.
My"
"All readyp shouted the players.
Tome, doctor, it is your turn"
AND his sentence was not finished until a
few hours later
grew rather tired, though, before the at
telnoon was ended. 1t was dull watching the
others, and attempted to steal across the
ground, hoping to gain the house unnoticed.
BUT had miscalculated my strength; and
then, unfortunately, vigorous, ill-directed
stroke from Laura's mallet sent ball whiz-
Eng toward me, could not move quickly
enough to avoid the blow that came crashing
against my poor lame foot. The sunshine
turned black, and the trees went dancing
around me. L heard a cry, "My darlingH
and with bound DR.. Raymond had reached
my side.