The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-04-09

very m1SeraDl6. one was not aVaf1c1OuS,
and did not fear her father losing his
practice from any pecuniary motives,
but it was pride that influenced her.
Her father had for some years monopo-
lized the place, as his predecessor had
for forty years before him and now to
behold n young, unfedged physician
setting up exactly opposite, and threat
ening to divide in some time the busi-
ness of the town, was dreadful. The
physician of the town sounded better,
too, than one of the doctors, and alto
gether it was most unpleasant affair.
Maria's place was now always at the
bow window, to see if patients came,
or if Edward Radstock made any at
tempt to call about and introduce him
self. But for some time she bad the
satisfaction of remarking that not a
soul called at the house, save the
butcher, the baker, and other contribu-
tors to the interior comforts of man,
and Maria began to feel the hope that
Edward Radstock would utterly fail in
his endeavor to introduce himself. She
remarked, further, that the young man
took it very quietly, and sat by his sis
ter's side while she played the piano,
or drove in his gig always, when he
remarked Maria at the open window,
bowling with provoking courtesy, moth
ing daunted by her coldness of manner
or her pretense of not noticing his po-
likeness.
One day Mr.. Walker was out Che had
been called to distance to see patient
who was very seriously ILL when Maria
@1n 10, 1Aa1-,,oor
street. Suddenly she saw boy come
running down on their side of the way !;
she knew him by his bright buttons,
light jacket and gold lace. 1t was the
page of the Perkinses, family with q
host of little children, who, from con-
slant colds, indigestions and fits of ill
ness, caused by too great a liking for
the pleasures of the table, which a fond
mother had not the heart to restrain,
we're continually on Mr.. Walkers
books. The boy rang violently at the
bell, and Maria opened the parlor door
and listened.
els Mr.. Walker home?" said the
boy, scarcely able to speak from want
of breath.
"No," replied the maid who had
opChCl bilC uOOls
"He will be home directly" said
Maria, advancing.
"Oh, but missus can't wait : there's
little Peter been and swallowed mar
bic, and the baby's took with fits )" and
away rushed the boy across the road to
the hated rivals house.
Maria retreated to her room and sank
down upon a sofa. The enemy haa
gained an entrance into the camp, it
was quite clear. In moment more she
rose, just in time to see Mr.. E. Rad
stock hurrying down the street beside
the little page, without waiting to order
mis- gig. This was q severe blow to the
doctors daughter. The Perkinses were
a leading family in the town, and one
to whom her father was called almost
every day in the year. They had large
circle of acquaintances, and if young
ser, others would surely follow. In
about an hour the young man returned
and joined his sister in the drawing
room, as if nothing had happened.
This was more provoking than his sue
cess. If he had assumed an air OF i'm
oortance and hustle, and had hurried
Up to inform his sister with an air of
oy and triumph what had happened,
3he might have been tempted to pity
lin, but he did everything in such a
Iuiet, gentlemanly way, that she felt
alarm for the future.
Maria was in the habit of spending
most of her evenings from home, her
ather being generally out, and that
arge house in consequence lonely.
The town was famous for it's tea and
Whist parties, and though Maria was
lot of an age to play cards, except to
please Others, she sometimes conde-
icended to do so. One evening she
vas invited to the house of Mrs.
3runton, who announced her intention
If receiving company every Thursday.
She went, and found the circle very
pleasant and agreeable, but horror of
were Mr.. Edward Rad.
tock and his sister Emily; and worse
han that, when lady present volun-
eered to play quadrille, and the
aides accepted eagerly, up he came, of
I'll others, to invite her to dance
Maria offered her hand to the young
nan, and walked away to the dancing
DOM. Despite herself, that evening
he was very much pleased with him.
lie was we'll informed, had traveled, was
ull of taste and feeling, and conyersed
With animation and originality he
ought every opportunity of address
ng himself to her, and always found
he opportunity without much diff
ulty.
For several Thursdays the same thing
occurred. The young man began to
ind little practice. He was popular
wherever he went, and whenever he was
allied in was sure of keeping up the
He was asked out to all
he principal parties in the town; and
lad Mr.. Walker not been very much
liked, would have proved very serious
ival.
One morning the father and daughter
we're at breakfast. Maria, who began
o like her bow window better than
,ver, sat near it to scent the fragrance
If her flowers, and always returned the
young doctors bow when he came out.
Mr. Walker had been called out at an
,arly hour, and returned late. He was
let in the best of humors, having
waited four hours beyond his time for
lis tea.
ST shall die in the workhouse," said
le, as he buttered his toast, with an
of manner quite alarming.
6 This Radstock is getting all the prac-
ice. heard of two new patients yes
erday."
"Oh, papa," replied Maria, gently,
6 I don't think he has got dozen alto