Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1872-07-11

counting the feeble pulse, when noticed
a shiver-almost chill-convulse the
dropping figure for moment. and then.
with quick, nervous compression of the
beautiful lips, I felt that she willed herself
into composure. Looking up I saw Mrs.
Waite standing at the back of the lounge.
'.Why, doctor. how long have you been
here? 1 gave express orders to be. awak-
ened at the moment of your arrival. Why
was not this attended to. Gracie?'
"You must inquire of the person with |
whom you left the command was Gra-
cie's reply and realized that with these
two women it was guerra outrdncc,"
and battle which could only end in their
everlasting separation.
Have you arrived at anything like q
diagnosis yet doctorY' was the next in
sinuating questions of the madame's.
Il think have faint idea of the diff
fculty, Mrs. Waite"
'sDo you indeed, doctor?" Well that
/ is fattering," and her sarcasm was as keen
as the eyes which seemed reading my
soul. ga faint professional idea may be
preferable to no idea at all but really
1 must confess. that for my own part, an 0
is of ssfore account to me than the thous-
andth part of unit-any time and under
any circumstances = and the lady glanced
around to see if the General had heard
her remarks, '.And how is my husband
this afternoon % continued she, advancing
to the lolling chair. and pressing kiss on
his forehead.
Don't mind her. whispered Grace,
hastily, "she has quarreled off every ply
sician ever had. Do not you desert me.
After writing prescription and promis-
ing to call again next day, | left-those
dark, mournful eyes followed me all the
way out. The General went with me to
the carriage, and vexed was with the
singular difficulty of the daughter, and the
insulting language of the wife, that l fear
that did not give the encouragement to
the poor man which he so needed and ex-
pected. s.There is something wrong there,
something dreadfully amiss; but what is
II? and how shall l proceed to fhd out =
| asked myself hundred times on my
way home. Several visits followed, bnt
with mo more success. The young lady
seemed desirous of giving me all the In
formation in her power, but still there
was no improvement. 1t was impossible,
however, to obtain an interview with my
patient unless the step-mother was presant.
Never after the first meeting was she
caught from her pot called morning,
noon and night, but it was useless. Her
vigilance was untiring, and wondering at
her strange pertinacity, 1 determined to
adopt some means to ind the object OF my
professional attentions alone. To make
such a request would be to procure my
instant dismissal for the General, njble,
: manly and straightforward in every other
respect, was nevertheless under the intiu-
ence and dominion of his wife, and he
seemed to look upon her as piece OF wo
manly perfection. 1t would have been
difficult matter to prejudice the Genera
AGAINST me for the few months OF hosPl
tai life had cemented friendship pure
and disinterested but believe she coulo
have accomplished it any time she saw
that my visits foreboded evil or unpleasant
ness to herself.
One morning, while riding along on the
way to MY patient's-my practice having
rapidly increased-I was met by mes
senrer from the hotel, with a note, 1t wa
t a delicate little affair, and the 'Dr. A, w
n Caldwelrs was written plainly and grace
d fully. 1t read:
@ "DEAR DoCToR-Father and Mrs
Waite have been suddenly summoned t.
i. @. and will not return until after
. noon: and as you have not called recent.
nntiI almost evening, l was fearful yo'
might not to-day Please come to me,
( as soon as possible
. Yours very truly
oracle.
was quite surprised that she shoul'
have rallied sufficiently tc have written a
+, all. and more surprised at the eleganc
u and accuracy of the chirography. Grac
r looked very sweetly, as entered; ant
: there was actually little crimson to tn
q lin. and the least shade of rosepink to tn
o cheek. and as she apologized ffor the hrs
g time during our acquaintance) for desha
II billie.
# "Miss Waite, you are better y L ex
claimed, rar turously, as. taking her tin
!, wrist. 1 discovered .hat her pulse wa
stronger and regular. F
"Yes, doctor 1 am; but please call m
Grace. 1t is high time that formalItie
:. ceased between you and me"-and. tn
i clear brown eyes looked kindly into mine
: while up to this time heart-whole, SUI
: rendered, foolish as it may seem, tn
! mueh boasted fort to the invalid maiden.
"Well,' said I. .'Grace, it shall be no'
and forever, if you desire it y and M
ewes must have told the precious secre:
! for. before I was aware. the darling
/ head. with its wealth Of wavy hair, wa
reclining on my shoulder-and-wel
the mischief was done-and knew tina
I. Grace loved me and loved Grace.
ri "Now." said she, retaining my han
b and patting it consciously. "yOu see that ;.