Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-06-22
Nancy's Engagement to the Doctor.


Ihey hung, heavy piumes of purple over the
little gateway in that bright afternoon-the Ist
OF June. A charitable breeze swept one scent
ed bunch of bloom aside, Just out of the reach
oil little brown hand that had a moment ago
ruthlessly stripped oil halt of its blossoms
But the owner of the hand already turned
about, with toss of her black curls and fiirt
of her pink calico dress, that scared the butter
flies, and before the branch swung back she
was hastenlng up the trim garden path and
hinglng back sharp speech over her shoulder,
at taii, sunburned young fellow, who, with a
vexed light in his eyes, stood watching her
"Oh II don't matter what think Indeed [
don't think at all. You may take whom you
like to the next May day dance; you won't
take met
1t was such pretty shoulder over which
these words were cast, and there was was such
rosy hnsh OF anger on round cheeks half-yell-
ed IN curis, that 1t is no wonder John Arm
itage took two or three steps in pursuit of the
speaker; but he stopped, drew himself up with
sudden pride, and sand one reproachful word
Nancy
The one addressed wayered little in her re-
| treat, then resumed it with increased eel err
ty.
"Will you stop and listen to me?n the younp
man queried, his rising Indignation somewhat
modifying mis- tone of appeal
mo" and the pink calico swept the myrtles
on either side OF the walk faster yet
very wen, was the angry response, a5 he
who pleaded turned toward the gate. "But
mark my words you'll be sorry for this before
these bushes here'-brushing the low spravs
sharply aside-"are out OF bloom Now, good
MS ,etr rating inquire cried. Perhaps the soh-
loquy will tell why.
We'll, ITS all oyer between US now anyway.
It's his fault too He'd no business to take any
one else to the May dance when couldn't CO.
shouldn't wonder if he's gone down to Sarah
Anderson's now. They'll be engaged next
thing, and she IN crow over Inc finely. He'll
t.y TO make me jealous"-here Nancy had a
tit of crying.
'sSee ii won't make him jealous trst!''
The way she would do it became apparent the
| ne xt afternoon, when, dressed in Jaunty blue
suit that set OFT we'll her creamy complexion,
dark curls and tinted checks, she started for the
village. The dainty blue parasol was lowered
| little aS she came 10 the pretentious block OF
| buildings opposite the hotel. upon one OF which
hung the sign "Dr. Miles Gray. Othce hours
| from to 10 A NJ, and 3 to p. M" But the
face ofthe building was blank, and the office
curtains lowered; so with an impatient excla-
nation under her breath, Nancy went on TO the
post office, where, getting no letter, she turned
discontentedly toward home.
| The Fates forbade her. She had not accomp
l.shed quarter Of the distance before the hgh
roll of wheels made her turn her head and star
perceptioly. In moment more young Docte
Gray whose natty buggy was the envy of all tn
heats of all the women, had drawn up his hors
at her side, had leaped to the ground, and ha
asked, eagerly
"Miss Evans, may have the pleasure OF drv
ing you home"
f6e color frightened in Nancy's cheeks, th
light In her eyes as she assented with charinin
smile; and IN a moment they were slowly bow
ing along the road, and The blue ribbons wei
blown against the Doctors broadcioth.
DR.. Gray was young, handsome, not dencieI
IN brains, with pocket money enough TO preyei
him from being tragically earnest in his profe
: sion. and very much in love with the coquettis
bit of womanhood by his side As for Name
i she was n little afraid of the gray eyes that cou
be quizzical as well as admiring, and OF the smi
that sometimes curled the corner OF the blat
;moustache. But Nancy was minus lover 10
% them the Doctor was a ''caich," and she laugh'
y and chatted as tue bay horse trotted along Il
u road.
Q The ia, m house came in sight much too 500
d and the Doctor stopped midway In speech
= inquire:
beautiful afternoon
Nancy demurred, as in duty bound.
II "I-don't know. 1 guess 1t must be mt
tea.time."
The Doctor laughed and held his watch beit
. her. 1t was precisely four.
"Oh, well, then" began Nancy, somewf
confused. "But aren't these your regular OIL
hours"
"Confound my office hours !" commanded
Doctor TO himself Aloud he said: "Pm son
times compelled to break through my ON
N hours, Pm going now to see a q patient livi
y on the outskirts of the town. 80 they dr.
- further on.
The "patient' couid not have been in criti
state. The Doctor leaning back In the carria
let the reins lay loosely on the horses back
they paced slowly through shady wood ro'
to smelling OF pines, while the warm breeze hut
Q adj LIGHT curls across Nancy's arch black eyes
- the blue silk parasoi had to be held up 70 {
lha sun from her rosebud OF a face. The DOC
had a lurking fear that Nancy was rustic and
norant, but an she was 80 pretty
u How far they rode in this lazy way, Wh,
wrapped in conversation, is not known n
far tney would have ridden Is not certaiu, u n
~ cy had not sent a mischievous siance strai
zoe into the gray eyes snd inquired
nat .Why, where does that patient OF yours ~
.5;iIl the doctor laughed frankly, colCnng II
he nevertheless.
81 see you understand the "ways that are
and the tricks that are vain" pretty well, 4
Nancy. And now don't cara to tell you vh
was going to before you spoke.
"What was T" queried Nancy, curious
I conscious.
&C. at was," said the Doctor, bending his
tho face closer to the curl shaded one az his
e.. | athat wish had the right to keep you with