Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1872-02-15

10 the buoyant step ana voice IN Inhg
naas disappointment He did at last oh
tain sight of him through the ey-hole
and spent some time ihere-rushing dowr
every minute TO confide to the servants
his impressions of the bridegroom eect
from this narrow point of view, tner
rushing back 10 il again. These impres
sions, unfortunately, were such as tt
make him more eager than ever for an IN
PRODUCTION Countless pieces of paper
were found about the house, the begin
ming of letters presenting "Mr Edward
Letters compliments 10 Capt. Aldyce,
and begging for an interview at Mrs
Woods, or at some other of Uncle Ted's
choice resorts, at the captains earliest
convenience. These notes sadly alarmed
Sophy, who felt sure the writer was wait.
ing his opportunity to throw one into the
captains carriage, or have it delivered to
him in the house, as perhaps it would be,
in her own presence.
! All his efforts failing, Uncle Ted bad OF
late begun to give way little to dcspond-
ency This had been brought on by Sc
we're cold he had caught through waiting
half an hour in the area on foggy even
! ing, just to see the captains carrige-
| lamps flash by. He had not been outfO
| the last day or two, to the wonder OF sev-
eral small pensioners Of his, to whom he
made daily allowance of bardbake out
of the little money with which the doctor
ventured to trust him for his snuff. lie
| had passed most of his time in the kiich-
| en-, had been rather more silent-"mOp-
| ish," as cook expressed it-and altogether
less sociable titan usual, muttering, wien
| asked what he would take to eat, some
i 30 and
! pishly offering, when asked where he
would sit, to go to the coal-hole, if his
doing SO would afford anybody satishc-
| ton.
Dr. LETTER found him seated by the fire,
| and his first glance at him led him to ex-
pcct even more opposition to Sophy's
wishes than he had anticipated.
81 am sorry to hear your coils worse,
Edward" he said, in professional tone
"You must go to bed very early"
To his surprise Uncle Ted answered
Immediately
Eyes, Theodore, think was to go to
bed early tonight"
II would, indeed, Edward" urged the
doctor.
81 think I'll 20 now, Theodore" de-
clared Uncle Ted, rising from his chair.
tor, trying hard not to appear toe much
relieved
He began to think, as he gave Uncle
Ted his arm up the stairs, that he must
have forgotten about the party altogether,
but as he gave him over to Johns care in
the hall he was undeceived in this matter
by Uncle Ted's observing quietly, as ne
looked around at the camelias and
lights
~ should like to have seen Sophy when
she's dressed"
You shall do So" said the doctor.
"Sophy shall run up and see you, only
you must not trouble her about anything.
She is over-excitcd, as it is; you must not
add to her excitement by troubling her in
any way"
"No, Theodore" answered Uncle Ted,
meekly; and after one dazed, lingering
look at the lights and flowers, passed up
the stairs with John.
He kept his word, for when Sophy went
up to his little room at the top Of the
house, John carrying two candles before
her. and her maid keeping her dress from
touching the floor, Uncle Ted only raised
himself on his elbow and gazed at her till
the tears came into his eyes, then he lay
down again, saying gently
"Thank you, Sophy; l am much OBJ.
LEGGED to you, Sophy. ! haven't excited
you, have |, Sophy? Tell your father ]
| have not excited you, my darling"
Sophy assured him with conscience.
smitten tenderness, and, throwing him a
flower out of her bouquet, and courtesying
with mock solemnity at the door of his
| little room, left him by himself
Cook had promised to send him up
some cruel, but forgot all about it, and he
lay in the dark listening to the music,
and thinking of his darling, all loneliness
and love, floating among the lights and
flowers, and of the bright young con.
queror, whom he was not allowed to see.
After lying SO long time, he heard
John bounding up the stairs to take a
peep at himself before attending at sup,
per.
Uncle Ted called him, but he tripped
down again, calling back, carelessly-
Cant stop now, Mr.. Hedward. just
a-going in to supper. Lie down and keep
warm now, or we shall be a having brun.
keetis set in. BE up directly. Hon re-
| an0re."
1t was about half an hour past mid.
night when John whispered something
to DR.. Letter that caused him to go out
of the room, and go straight up to Uncle
Teds attic.
The doctor sat down on the edge of his
brothers bed, scarcely knowing for a
moment or two what it was which had SC
shaken him-his sudden ascent of the
stairs, the sight of Uncle Ted's face, Oh
the weak cry with which he had greeted
him.
Theodore, will see him-Tve righ1
to see him."
BE quiet, Edward; you shall sec
| whom you like but don't excite your
self. What is the master? Have you
been alone long ?"
The quiet, authoritative, professional
tone and manner had some effect. Uncle
Ted became little calmer.
The doctor gave John some directions
sent him down stairs, made an alteration
| in the arrangements of the pillows, then
sat down again and felt his brothers
pulse
| Theodore.
| "Don't talk, Edward don't talk just
now" said the doctor; presently viii
do"
"No, it won't, Theodore. want tc
tell you something"
swell. if it will relieve you. But you
must be very quiet"
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