Huntington advertiser. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1874-1921, 1874-12-10
RANcY'S ENGAGEMENT TO
THE DOCTOR

THE DOCTOR
They hung heavy plumeS of pur
pie. over the little gateway on tina
bright afiernoon-the first of June
A charitable breeze swept one scent
ed bunch of bloom a bit aside, jus
out OF the reach of a little brown
hand that moment ago ruthlessly
stripped off half its blossoms.
But the owner of the hand had al
ready turned about with toss OF hel
black curls and a firt of her pink
calico dress, that scared the butter
flies, and before the branch swung
back she was Fastening up the trim
garden path, and hinging back
sharp speech over her shoulder, at ,
tall, sun burned young fellow, who
with q vexed light in his eyes
stood watching her.
"Oh, it don't matter what l think
Indeed, | don't think at all. Yo
may take whom you like to the mex
May dance you won't take me-"
1t was such a pretty shoulder ovel
which these words were cast, anC
there was such rosy flush of angel
on the round cheek half veiled il
cnrls, that il is no wonder John Ar
Imitage took two or three steps in pur
suit of the speaker but he stopped
drew himself up with sudden pride
and said one reproachful word
Nancy
The one addressed wavered littl'
in her retreat, then resumed it viii
increased celerity.
"lNill you stop and listen to me ?
the young man queried, his rising in
dignatlon somewhat modifying hi
tone of appeal.
"Nop and the pink calico swep
the myrtles on either side of the wall
faster yet.
Very well,' was the angry res
ponse, as he who pleaded turned to
ward the gate. But mark my
words; you'll be sorry for this before
these bushes here'-bru>hing the low
sprays sharply aside-''are out o.
5loom Now good bye"
Nancy, peeping from behind a cur
tain after his retreating figure, cried
Perhaps the soliloquy will tell why
"Well, its all over between Us
now, anyway. Its his fault, too
He'd no business to take any one else
to the May dance when ! couldn't 60
| shouldn't wonder if he's gone down
to Sarah Anderson's now. They vii
be engaged next thing, and shell
crow over ine finely. He'll try tC
make me jealous'-here Nancy had
Il Git of crying.
See if l won't make him jealous
frst!"
The way she would do it became ap
parent the next afternoon, wher
dressed in a jaunty blue suit that SCI
off her creamy complexion, dark
Icurls and tinted checks, she started
tor the village. The dainty blue
parasol was lowered a little as She
came to the pretentious block Of
huiIdinrS opposite the hotel, upor
ore of which hung the sign: DIR
Miles Gray. Office hours from 8 t.
no 4. NJ, anI from 3 to > p. M
IBu: the face of the building wa
blank, and the Office curtains lower
ed so with an impatient exclamation
under her breath, Nancy went OH Il
the post Office, where, getting no let
ter. She turned discontentedly towards
home.
The Fates forbid her. She haC
not accomplished quartz. OF the dis
tance before the light roll of wheel
lmade her turn her head and star
perceptiblv. In moment more
Young DR.. Gray, whose natty top
buggy was the envy of all the men
and whose fascinating smile had wol
the hearts of all the women, hac
drawn up his horse at her side, ha'
leaped to the ground, and had asked
her eagerly:
Miss Evans, may have the pleas
lure of driving you homc?"
The color frightened in Nancy
checks, the light in her eyes, as sh
assented with charming smile; ant
in a moment they were slowly bow
ling along the road, and the blue RIB
bons were blown against the doctor
broadcloth.
DR.. Gray was young, handsome
not deficient in brain, with poke
money enough to prevent him trcr
being tragically earnest in his pro
fession, and very much in love wit
the eoquettish bit of womauhood b
his side. A for Nancy, she was
little afraid OF the gray eyes tha
could be quizzical as well ca admir-
ing. and of the smile that sometime
! curled the corners of the black nous
tache. But Nancy was minus loy
er Just then, the doctor was catch,
and so she laughed and chatted a
the bay horse trotted along.
The farm house came in sight to
soon, and the doctor stopped midwa
in speech TO inquire:
Wont YOU take longer ride
!. It's such beautiful afternoon ~
!. Nancy demured, asin duty bounc
'I-don't know. / guess it mu:
be-'most tea time
The doctor laughed. and held bi
: watch before her. 1t was preciSel
T.