Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1874-05-14

man danced into her sisters room, where
the latter was still prolonging her morn
ing nap, and exclaimed:
"Say, Mkt The doctors homer
No answer from Nix, save that con-
tanned in toss Of the pillows.
"Come home yesterday, they say. ]
don't know what's the matter with him.
He wouldn't so much as look at me when
I passed him on the street Have"
!" Molly" interrupted her sister, stake
that letter that's lying on the table, and
carry ii to the doctors Office, will you?
Go quickly, and besure he has it. please"
and Nix fell back on the pillows with
something suspiciously like sob as
Molly closed the door. She had spent
the night writing that letter, and gave
way to . passion of tears because she had
written ii.
Molly, a bright little damsel Of ten, did
not let the grass grow under her feet on
the way toDr. Wentworth's office. In the
middle Of the main street she met Elijah,
the doctors Office boy, racing as If for
dear life, holding his cap on with one
hand, and swinging letter in the other.
Where are you goingg" inquired Mol
ly, arresting his progress.
" To your house. This here letters for
your sister"
at is! Why, look here; I've got let
ter Nix sent the dcctor.''
every well; all right You take this,
and III take that" said the practical
Elijah, efiecting the exchange without
ceremony. :" I'm in desperate hurry.
He's as cross as all possessed this morn
ing"
as he" said the sympathetic Molly.
"So's Nix been cross for week. Iwon-
der what's the matter?'
Elijah did not wait TO answer this ques-
ton, but dashed off again furiously,
Molly went home with the letter, which
her sister received in some amazement.
This second letter was as follows:
MISS BATgaAs-As learn from various and
trustworthy authority that you have said publicly
that am III hammered and impcrtipent and the
report has been confirmed BY your silence during
my absence, there are but two courses open To me
Ito ask an explanation, or 70 dispense with the
necessity Of one. You have chosen TO make your
newly-formed opinion OF me no unnecessarily pub
lie that ], from sheer modification, prefer the latter
alternative. | am not conscious Of having done
anything TO offend you, and II You wished 10 end
In gentle way. shall return your letters at the
earliest possible date beg TO say In conclusion,
that II you wish, you may always command me as
JAMES WENTWORTH.
"That wretched Miss ClarK' was Nix's
indignant comment as she tossed aside
the letter; then she added, with a quick
compression of the lips, Well, 1t doesn't
matter much"
Meanwhile the doctor was perusing
In his office note of three or four lines:
Mn. wEsTwoRTm-we will consider our en-
gageEent ended with your reception Of this note.
To- xuIa All no N. Ia ul m
sary TINT shall not attempt II. Yon will excuse
me II do not even sign myself your friend.
EUsIcg BATEMAE.
The day Of the parish picnic arrived in
due season. IL was beautiful June day
and every one was out--among others,
Nix and tho doctor, who were the talk Of
the town, and therefore did not dare stay
at home. Nix put on the muslin dress
and her brightest ribbon, rubbed color
into her cheeks and rode to the picnic in
a defiant mood which was not softened
by the sight Of the doctor, who was al.
ready on the ground, paying his best at
tention to young lady ut his side--one
of Nix's rivals in village society.
"He'll soon find out that two can play
at that gamep' thought Nix; and straight
way she commenced violent Irritation
with one of her old admirers Dance
succeeded dance, and Nix and the doctor
rivaled each other in gayety, until refresh
ments were announced, when both volun-
teered as walters. Amidst the hustle Of
passing provisions Nix awkwardly
spilled cup Of coffee on her dress. Con
sternation among the mattresses followed,
but Nix was equal to the occasion.
"Dont mind me-" she said, hastily;
iii run down to the pond and wash 1t
off, So, taking the nearest way, Nix ran
down the hill, through the pine trees, and,
In her haste, came In violent contact with
some one coming uphill and carrying
pitcher Of spring water. That some one
was DIR. Wentworth, who looked from the
fragments of his broken pitcher to Nix's
amazed face in ludIcrous perplexity.
"Im sorry" stammered Nix, endeavor.
ing to pass him. 81 didn't see you, I'm
sure. I'll see that the pitcher is re-
placed"
The doctor looked more in sorrow than
In anger at the averted face, and said,
gravely:
you are more sorry for broken
pitcher than for a broken heart, 1t appears,
Miss Bateman."
Nix's anger suddenly revived at the i'm
salied accusation in this speech.
s"It Is you who ought to be sorry, DIR.
oofsntworth," was her sharp reply. "Love
pdIJom survives INSULT
Insult ?" The doctor barred Nix's
way by interposing his own figure deter
minedly. Pray tell me how l have in.
suited you, Miss Eunice. declare TO you
solemnly that have not the faintest
idea"
He looked SO thoroughly In earnest, and
was so determined, that Nix was taken
aback; then, angry ut her mOmentary
hesitation, she ret0rted:
ut Is adding insult to insult to pretend
ignorance
The doctors look became, ii possible,
more blank than ever, and he caught Nix's
hand and turned her back resolutely as
she tried to pass.
Now" he said. 1--WE aren't going to
part in this way. You must tell me what
you mean"
Well" said Nix, finding herself cor
nered, ~ don't know that telling makes
1t better or worse. l can say that you
sent me an advertisement for removing
freckles, IL you like It,"
Il sent you an advertisements never
thought of such thing. How foolish
/ had better cause for my indignation