Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-04-27

party. Estelle is quite i'll, too, doctor,
and when you have written out my
prescription | wish you would walk
into the next room and see her"
DR.. John knew that something must
be administers d or his professional repu-
tation would be irretrievahly ruined, so
with quiet smile playing round his
large mouth DR.. Johns mouth was
really very large, and truth compels us
to state that he had an under.jaw to
match, though the rows of unexception.
ably white and even teeth, and the silken
chn-covering, glossy and soft as a
woman's hair, entirely redeemed the
lower part Of his face from uglness) the
physician wrote the few necessary Latin
words, among which aqua seemed really
the most conspicuous, and then passed
into the other room. The doctor knew
what awaited him. This little game had
been tried more than once before.
Good morning, Miss Estelle,' said
Mr.. John, approaching the sofa where
the languid beauty reclined. Your
mother tells me you are ill.,
Miss Estellc, with an almost impatient
from her temples-carelessly, and really
unintentionally, it would seem, barring
10y the motion one of the most beautiful
arms that sculptor ever raved about
and replied:
Your manner seems to say, Miss
Este}le, YOU are always i'll. Why don t
YOU behave yourself?' Oh, how happy
| should be, DR.. John, if you would once
in your life be kind to me. | do really
tn nix something is the matter with my
heart. What if should die?'
No picture of Watteau's could ever
have been more witching, more charm.
insly colored, than the little form be
fore him. Every accessory of toilet had
of his heart-and to handsome woman
no dress is so becoming as the negHgee
of her boudoir, with its lace and fan
tastic embroidery, slippered feet and
graceful postures. Then the vases filled
with flowers, the mirrors, and jewels,
and perfumes, and enticing lolling
chairs. lIeigho many a strong man
has bowed to such ashrinc-made fool
of himself for life-when in the glare
and glitter Of the drawing-room no such
nasense would have been thought of.
DR.. John acknowledged the beauty of
this picture. 1t was dainty, plquant,
dangerous. 1t had been dished up for
him on several previous occasions, but
never so much to his mind as now.
The beauty's manner was earnest, and
almost supplicating. What man could
fail to be appreciative under such Cir
cumstances? Remember, too that DR..
John was longing to be loved-had that
very morning almost prayed that heaven
would send him little bundle of com
fort in shape of a good wife, and it will
not be strange that, withstanding
the efforts previously made to entrap
him, he should think only of the pres
ent loveliness.
"What are you reading, Miss Es-
telle?" asked DR.. John, after moment
of appreciatve scrutiny. Wilson'S
Essays, eh? ?" and the doctors face
showed all the surprise and pleasure felt
by its owner. "And upon my word, if
h re isn't Emerson. That is healthy
food-rather heavy, though, | should
think, for sick girl y
Miss Estelle drew a long breath! For
the first time in the twelve months of
trial had she received one single word of
compliment or commendation from the
man whom her mother had determined
she should marry.
"And, us true as live, another book
under the pillow. Really, have some
curiosity to know the title Of that
volume also," continued the doctor,
almost caresslngly.
"Oh, it is nothing" replied the would
be invalid, languidly, "but q s,upid
cookery book that | got from the lib
ary. Mother depends upon me, you
see, for our desserts, and ] can tell you
that sometimes my ingenuity is sorely
tested'
One little hand tucked the volume
further under the pillow, while the
other, unconsciously, of course, dropped
upon the doctors. With the white,
jeweled fingers lying on his, the fair,
lazzling face upturned, the words which
you'd have doomed him to misery all
the days of his life were almost spoken.
How wonderfully and providentially
little things sometimes appear to save
from desolation and death ! The hand
wilh which she had striven to hide the
partially concealed volume had, strange
y enough, lifted the trill of the pillow
and disclosed both title and author
one OF the most mischievous and reck-
e sly written books ever translated into
the English language.
For moment the doctor sat silent
with horror and astonishment. Not so
much that the young woman before him
had developed a taste for such litera-
ture, but that she could so unblushingly
lie to him.
81 do not Think SAID he, at last,
d" chat you need any medicine. So you
nave my permission to study the cook
book under your pillow as diligently as
YOU may feel disposed. 1t is pleasant
10 know that fashionable young ladies
are possessed of such domestic and
literary tastes. Good morning, Miss
Waters"
DR.. John passed out of that abode of
luxury sick at heart.
81 came very near losing myself in
that trap. What confounded fools men
are?"
The thought was rather humiliating,
and DR.. John was unable to shake it Oft
during the day; and when he turnei
his horses head homeward it was with
g feeling of disgust and loneliness never
before experienced.
"Pretty much all alike, I'm afraid"
lie continued softly to himself.
just then a little figure in the middle