Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-07-03

A MUTUAL MISTAKE.
TCoNCLUDED FROM YESTERDAY.


DR.. Buchanan flushed with strange
pleasure at this earnest praise of his 'ain
| cOuntree." "And are you sure," he asked,
THAT you are not of Scotch descent your
selfP l cannot help thinking so now
more than ever"
"And think so. too," said Flossy,
gravely, Though my father was of Irish
parentage. But, you know, once upon
lime-I'm sure l kon't know when, for 1
never can remember dates-but not such
a very great while ago, number of
Scotch families exiled themselves to the
north of Ireland for the sake of their re-
ligion. and formed colony there, whose
descendants are still Presbyterians. am
sure my father came of these people,
though was too young ever to be talked
to about these things. For he was the
perfect realization. in mind and person, of
my idea of Scotch Covenanter; tall and
large and austere, with blue eyes that
looked right through one, and mouth
that seldom smiled. He was Presbyter-
ian, dyed in the wool, and his idea of milk
| for the babes was the Confession of Faith
and the Westminster Catechism.' How
well l remember standing up before him
OF Sunday mean Sabbath-afternoon
when about so high beginning at What
is the chief end Of man p and going
through all the mysteries of redemption,
justification and sanctification, about as
understandingly as Deb Milton used to
read Greek to her father. And my moth
er sat by-she was a sunny-hearted Eng
lish woman, protesting in vain against her
little ones being taught that they were
the children of WRATH and, as likely as
not, foreordained by Gods good pleasure
to eternal misery. Oh, how plainly can
see it all now, though it is many weary
day since saw them"
Flossy leaned back in the great leathern
chair, and shutting her poor eyes, suffered
herself to wander back into the half for
cotton past; and Mr.. Buchanan stood by
looking down upon the wistful young
face, which he had only seen before spark
ling with the sunshine of q merry mood,
or pale with patience under pain, thinking
how sweet it was in shine or shadow, and
feeling a curious sensation of sympathy
and interest for his fair young patient,
stirring somewhere under his vest.
When he spoke, however, it was in the
old gay tone:
has proved correct abont our being one
country folk" he said. And now, do
you know, l believe / could guess your
house name; l could tell you at least.
what l think you ought to have been
called.'
"What?' asked Fiossy, laughing and
curious.
Zone of the sweet Scotch lassie names,
of course; l cannot quite decide Effie or
Marian or Flora. Flora, l think, suits YOU
best. Do you like it?
| Flossy started in amused surprise, but
instantly assumed demure look. "Why
does Flora suit me best ?" she asked
DIR. Buchanan hesitated, Redeemed a lit
tie, and then spoke out:
"YOu must pardon ME. for you have
asked the question. 1t is because you
have such hower-like face, such peach
blossom cheeks and rosebud lips, eyes
| like bluebells, and hair as yellow as the
golden gorse on our glorious Scotch moors.
You must know yourself that it suits
you"
Flossy's peach blossom turned to carna-
tions, but she laughed, and said, merrily:
"Well, you are far wrong. My name
is Florence
The doctor started and flushed with
pleasure.
sis it SO, indeed?" he said. eagerly.
"But should-they should-call you Flo
ra. as pet name. Do theyP
NO." said his patient. "Fred-and
Fred is all l have now" the shadow
crossed her face again-"calls me always
Flossy." The glow faded from the doc
tors face likewise, and he bit his lip. He
had forgotten for moment. that she be-
longed to Fred" and he did not find it
pleasant to be thus abruptly reminded of
it. lie said, presently, in quiet voice:
''lt is pretty little name. And now,
here is your medicine, and you are not to
forget that after this we two Highland folks
are to be real friends ?''
81 think that we are so already" said
Flossy, looking at him with a clear glance
of her truthful eyes, and putting her hand
into the one he offered, as he rose to 90.
So the days and the weeks slipped by,
and the friendship, sudden as it was. lost
none of its interest, but rather grew in
strength and nearness. The visits of so
sweet and bright a patient, were like oases
in the desert of the doctors daily toll;
and Flossy, without acknowledging it to
herself, passed the happiest hour of her
day at his office. They somehow suited
each other exactly; and no matter what
was the topic touched upon in their many
talks, whether grave or gay, or lively or
severe" there was sure to be something
which gave unconscious proof of their har.
mony of taste and temperament, and
neither felt SO happy, so natural. so en-
tirely the best self, as with the other.
Dr. Buchanan made some Intellectual
struggle against the growth of a feeling
which, he knew could lead to nothing fur
ther; Flossy, in childlike Inconsistencies,
made no struggle, but enjoyed the present
without thought OF her future.
This trial Of her eyes. in addition to the
anxiety and suffering it had brought her.
had given her likewise pleasant friend
and great many charming hours. She
accepted the one with the other, and al
most without knowing it. found her chief
delight in her visits to his office. She was
readily startled and annoyed with herself
one morning, when it rained so preposter-
ously that she was positively ashamed to
60 out, to find that the storm had brought
an actual disappointment; that she could
settle comfortably to nothing; and was un-
able to rid herself of a disagreeable sense
Of something precious being lost from her