The Lincoln County herald., 1872-06-12

this morning2"
"Now, really, doctor, that is too cruel
Matter this morning! Do you rene m Der
what was the matter yesterday Please
don't be go blunt. You shock my nerves
terribly"
"Lct me see," said the doctor. "Yes.
tcrday, according to your own admission,
you were tagged out at fashionable
party and late supper. That. Of course,
can not be the case to day"
III know | should not attempt it in my
weak state, doctor. know just what
you will think Of it, sighed the fashion
able woman, from her downy bed. But
then you men never will understand what
society demands Of US women. Dear
Estelle (dear Estelle was the invalid's
daughter) had quite set her heart on go
ing to Mrs. Donk's reception. or course
| could not allow the dear child 10 70
unattended, and, bless your heart, Dr.
Hessman, tho girls father would not
accompany her to q party il she fell dead
in consequence. Oh, Lord, such time
az did have about it. trying to induce
Mr.. Waters to escort her. | really be
lievs that scene had moro to do with my
suffering to day than the party had
Dear me, such q set man as Mr.. Waters
is u told hlm-says l, William. this
may result in my death! Says he.
When woman gets to be forty years
old, and don't know enough to take care
of her own health, and the health Of her
children, it is time she died and then
doctor, he lit his cigar and puffed out of
the house. l tell you this because |
want you to know what has unnerved me,
and that you may not lay it all to the
party. Estelle is quite i'll, too doctor,
and when you have written out my pre-
scription wish you would walk into the
next room and see her."
DR.. John hnew that something must be
administered or his professional reputa
ton would be ruined, so with a quiet
smile playing round his large mouth dr.
Johns mouth was really very large, aud
truth compels US to state that he had an
underjaw to match. though the rows Of
unexceptionally white and even teeth, and
the siken.chia covering. glossy and soft
as womsn's hair, entirely redeemed the
lower part of his face from ugliness) the
physician wrote the few necessary Latin
words, among which aqua seemed the
most conspicuous, and then passed into
the other room. The doctor kcew what
awaited him. This little game had been
tried more than once before.
Good morning, Miss E,telle," said
DR.. John, approaching the sofa where the
lanSuid beauty rsclined. Your mother
tells me you are ill.,
Miss Estslle, with an almost impatient
gesture, brushed back the floating hair
from her temples--careless, and really
unintentionally, it would seem, barring by
the motion Of one Of the most beautiful
arms that sculptor ever ravcd about-and
replied:
"Your manner seems to say, Miss
Estells, you are always ill., Why don't
you behave yourself?"
"Oh, how happy l should be, Dr.
John, if you would once in your life be
kind to me. do really think some u.ing
is the matter with my heart. What if
should die?
No picture of Watteau's could ever
have been moro bewitching, more charm,
ngly coiored than the little form before
him. Every accessory Of toilet had been
brought to bear upon the citadel Of bis
heart-and to 4 handsome woman no
dress is so becoming as the negligee OF
her boudoir, with it's lace and fantastic
embroidery, slippered feet and graceful
posture. Then the vases filed With
flowers, the mirrors, and jewels, and
perfumes, and entioipg lolIinS chairs.
He,gho many strong man has bowed
to such q shrine-made fool Of himself
for lifs-when in the glare and glitter Of
the drawing room no such nonsense
would have been thought Of
Dr.. John acknowledged the beauty oi
this picture, 1t was dainty, piquant
dangerous. 1t had been dished up t.
him on several different occasions, but
never SO much to his mind as now. The
beauty's manner was earnest and almost
supplicat,ng' What man could fail tc
be appreciative under such circu instances
Rene mber, that DR.. John was longing to
be loved-had that very morning almost
prayed that Heaven would send him o
little bundle Of comfort in the shape of {
good wife, and it will not be strange that
notwithstanding the efforts previousl
made to entrap him, he should think only
Of the present loveliness.
What are you reading, Miss Estelle ?
asked Dr. John, after a moment Of ap
precistive scrutiny. wilson's Essays
oh ?" aud the doctors face showed sl
the surprise and pleasure felt by III
owner. "And upon my word, If herr
isn't Emerson. That is healthy food
rather heavy though, I should think, fo'
a sick girl |"
Miss Estelle drew q long breath. Fo
the FIRST time in the twelve months Of tria
had she received one word Of compli
ment or condemnation from the man he
mother had determined she shoul'
marry.
"Aud % true as ] live, another bool
under the pillow. Really, have som