Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-12-21

Can you set Wy "tiss, Blu
changing the subject.
al can if you wish; but the pain will b
terrible during the operation"
at will have TO be set sometime, will j
not"
Certainly"
"And the pain will be no greater now thar
at another time. You may set it now, If yor
please" And closing her pearly teeth tight,
together, Mabel waited in silence.
Twice Hugh felt along her wrist before b'
could gain requisite courage, but at last b'
compressed his Fingers, and the Joint spranl
ints its place with snap.
"Did it hurt you very severely no asked
when it was all over.
But she did not open her eyes or answer
and he thought that sbe had tainted again.
He could not resist the inclination to give bel
another kiss The cslor flowed into her checks
and she opened her eyes rather Suddenly.
WAS that in lieu of the usual fee ?" sht
questioned, rather miscbievously.
Fortunately the carriage from the Hall ar
rived at this particular juncture, with old Mr
Ringwoed, half frightened to death by thu
grosm.
On learning the exact state Of the case, ht
protfered the doctor hundred dollar bill.
u cannot accept that said Hugh. My pro.
fessonal fee for setting Miss Riugwood's wris'
is only five dollars"
"That or nothing" roared old Mr.. Ring
wood excitedly "you saved her lie, aud i
you:..do net take the huadred 1ll-Ill-b'
your mortal enemy"
But the doctor drew back, aBd spriBgins
into the carriage with as much agility as his
TIVE hundred pounds would permit. the old
gentleman gave orders to drive of. And
Hugh went home to dream Of Mabeis blue
eyes.
Oh Mr.. RingwSrd got over his huff in the
morning; aud before noon be had summoned
bis daughters preserver to dine at the Hall.
Excuse me, doctor" be heartily said, fol
my thoughtless boorishness in asking you K
take money for such an inestimable service
| had classed you with the common herd o.
humanity, but see yeu are possessed Of
different spirit. And you would have done
the same had it been poor girl instead Of th'
lady Vi Ringwood. That is the spirit lik'
to see, Dr. Hugh, 1 honor you for it."
He spske SO earnestly that Hugh wa
chart.ed, and whcn the solicitations Of Mabe
had been added to his. the young man agreed
to become frequent visitor there.
And frequent visitor he soon became. Ant
net only visitor, but a most welcome one, al
was evinced by the color that dawned on Ma
bells beautiful cheek at his approach, and thu
constant smile by which her father greetec
him. Altogether, everything appeared in {
roseate light and he was ongratnlatng him
selfthat his prospects were greatly improving
when all of sudden be found he loved Ma
bel.
Then the silly young man afraid Of tb.
wealth Of the Ringwoods allowed csncealmen
ts prey upon his frame, and grew as thin as /;
shadow
After time be ceased to visit bis friends
aud Mabel grew as thin as q shadow, too. Bu
the doctor, whose practice had grown exten
sive, drove by each day, like Jehu the Son o
Nimshi, and never looked toward the house.
And Mabel would sit by the window anC
cry. But when her father would ask he
what troubled her she wsald not tell him.
Old Mr.. RiugwOod was sorely troubled. =
He liked the doctor, and wondered what aileC
him, and wondered why he staid away SO per
vetsely. And he loved Mabel, and wondered
why she was growing So terribly pale aut
thin. But for all his study the riddle remain
ej unread
One day, thought Ike an inspiration
flashed into his mind. he would send for the
doctor 10 come to Mabel.
No sooner decided upon than done. snc
Hugh came over in haste, believing she wal
very ILL., The servant was explicit
Where is She ?" he cried, and how Ions
has she been sick 7"
The old gentleman saw that he was intense
ly excited, and he got another inspiration.
"Shs isn't so very SICK" he muttered. a.
guess that she's only pining for you"
Poor Doctor Hugh He turned all sorts o
colors, and grasped chair for support.
&" If you love her, my boy, go in and win,
said the old gentleman, warmly. "Tve no
the slightest objection, provided your love il
reciprocal, and shall feel proud to have yot
my son-in-law. Don't mind the money, ny
boy, but only think that human nature is ha
man nature, for all the tnsel Of dollars Anc
he stepped from the room just as Mabel enter
ed it by another door.
"Hushr'
Mabel"
Do you think, kind reader, that We woult
intrude on a scene of private love-naking
We shall not do it. SO you will be disappoiut
ed perhaps.
"But did thiHk," said Mabel, afterwart
that if you had the courage to kiss me twice
the very first time you saw me almsst, tha
you might have been brave enough to ask m
vhetber 7 loved vou or NOT instead of runuin,