Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1874-10-03
OLIVE WAYNE.
lCoNCLUDED.J

handS," signed Mrs. wayne. Bu
the two girls had already disappear
ed into the lower regions, and it wal
the doctor who replied: "Nevel
mind. It'll do her good, depend or
it.'
In q short space thereafter dain
ty meal was spread in the dining
room. The dishes were excellent Of
their kind, and we'll served. Both
Mrs. Wayne and Doctor Middle.
ton did full justice to them.
"I made the biscuits,' cried Clar
ice, exultantly, "all but measuring
the flour and yeast-powder. Olive
did that"
"YOu are genius" laughed the
doctor. "And so are you, Miss
Olive. Brains are as serviceable in
the kitchen as anywhere else, il
seems"
Olive blushed, and Clarice broke
into the conversation again, pleas
antly. 30 doctor, what's become Of
Mr.. Ross? l hav'n't seen him this
long WHILE"
"He's out of the city, said the
doctor, in a constrained voice, and
began to talk of something else i'm
mediately.
But the subject required to him
that night at home. "The girl loves
him. thought he," spite of every
thing. Pm sure of it by the way
her face changed when Clarice spoke.
And he'll never find wife like her
anywhere else. But prejudice blinds
him, and he won't see the heroism
in her conduct"
The doctor was attached to them
both, and had been greatly displeas-
ed at the rupture of their engage
ment. But Vivien was obstina te and
wouldn't listen to remonstrances.
He had heard of an opening for a
physician in distant city, and had
already gone there to establish him
self. So the doctor feared that fate
had parted these two forever, who,
as he thought, were SO we'll suited
to each other. For does not love
elevate the ch aracter of either wo-
man or man, and would not Olives
patience have eradicated the selfish
ness that marred Vivien's otherwise
fine nature? He certainly reason
ed in that way.
1t was nearly six months after.
ward that, calling in at the book
store one day, he found it crowded
with customers, the clerks all busy,
and Olive herself also.
Without intending it, he over
heard young lady ask her, "Have
you Miss Braddon'S last novel 2"
Olive answered in the affirmative.
"Have you read it yourself ?" was
the eager enquiry. els it as good
as the others 2"
81 can't say" responded Olive,
pleasantly. "She's writer l don't
admire. But here's a work by
George Eliot that l can rccomend, if
you hav'n't read it already"
"Oh, no, l hav'n't, and it looks
interesting. Please put it up for
me-"
"And Miss Braddon's also ~
"Not to-day; some other time
perhaps"
"Fairly caught, Miss Olive" whis-
pered the doctor, as her customer
turned away. $50 you're trying to
elevate the taste of the reading pub
lie, are you p
"NOt exactly" and she laughed.
"There's a great demand for sensa-
tiOnal literature, and Of course we
keep it; business is business
and bookstore that didn't
would lose customers. All can do
is to recommend other works when
opportunity offers. Sometimes my
suggestion is acted on, sometimes
not. So you see Pm not likely to
revolutionize the public taste.'
"Oh, l didn't think you were,"
replied the doctor. "But if you've
only shown one young woman the
difference between such writer's as
George Eliot and Miss Braddon,
you've done good work."
Another customer diverted Olives
attention at this moment. He was
"a young gentleman, a student ap-
perantly, and called for late the
illogical work,
"Pve been everywhere else" he
C candidly admitted, "but couldn't
find it,"
"Indeed," said Olive. "We've on.