The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-03-06

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doctor knew he was not pretty and he had
serious doubts about being good, but he was
deeply touched by the feeling that had iaspir-
ed T. words.
When the cool days Of autumn had sent
away Mss Moret,e's guests DR.. Lambert S
visits acquired certain intimacy and friend
illness that made them still more pleasant
lie spent his afternoons in the little parlor
where II bright wood fire burned all day, and
in that room he seemed TO forget that his
chief Cuty was to be cross. He played youth
1 fu games with Pauline and FIdo, usually
ending oil with Il representation of Red
| Riding Hood, in which the doctor, crowned
with red cap, greatly distinguished himself
rs q naughty little girl, and mcekly submit
ted to being devoured by Pauline.
/ While she took her nap he related to Miss
/ Morettc many an anecdote OF his past life
and told her all his old jokes, which were as
good as new to her. And she listened and
laughed and sewed for the poor with equal
energy and enjoyment
But, alas!
An that's bright must fade.
The brightest stili the leetest
All that's sweet was made
But to be lost when sweetest"
One bright, frosty December morning the
doctor made his appearance in high spirits
L come early because l have something i'm
portant to say to YOU he explained.
What is n.y. asked Miss Morctte, with a
sudden presentIment of evil.
1T Is this have thought of it for some
time and this morning Jeanette and l came
to an understanding. have great favor
to ask you hope you will not refuse it.
will you let me have Pauline for a little
while?
Let you have Pauline? OF course not, sir.
'Wait-wait TIL tell you all. would like
to haye her with me tor two OF
three months. We would drive over every
afternoon to see you. Jeanette 10 fond OF
children she would take good care of heI
and you would have a little rest. What dc
think of my plan now?'
Il do not need rest, sir. could not part from
Pauline; her mother gave her to me on her
dea,h.bed and cannot let her go.
Don't be obstinate and sentimental
My dear doctor, it is such strange idea
What would you do with her? She would be
Il great trouble to yOu,'
She would be great comfort. l am at
taChed TO her. | have neither kith nor kin,
and | can be good friend to her if you only
had the sense to see IT,.
But you are her friend now you can--'
'Will YOU let her come Yes or no?'
no, sir; cannot do that
Is it your last word?'
1T is, sir
Very WELL And the doctor left the house,
slamming the doors severely.
The next day came and went. Several 9th
ers followed, but no doctor came with them.
Three weeks had passed and the doctor had
made no sign.
Never mind whispered Miss Morette, as
she kissed her little Pauline.
But she minded very much she minded so
that she wondered at herself No1eal change
had come over her life yet everything was
changed, and had become stale, flat and un-
profitable.
1t was Christmas week A light snow was
softly falling Pauline was taking her after.
noon nap, and Miss MOrette sat alone by the
fire, sewing and thinking. Suddenly she
heard well-known and longed.tor step. Her
heart beat faster, but she neither moved nor
looked.
Good-atternoon,' said DR.. Lambert.
'Good.afternoOn, sir
The doctor sat down in his accustomed
armchair and began to poke the fire.
Are you all welly
Very well, thankyou Pauline is sleeping
in the other room
III is pretty cold day; winter is coming
upon us in earnest.
But Miss Morette was too glad to think of
the weather and she forgot to answer.
Perhaps the doctor was glad too, or perhaps
ii was the light Of the fire. but his eyes shone
very brightly and his face had a peaceful,
pleasant expression. Having enjoyed the 81
lencc long enough, he asked:
Didn't you wonder where | was all this
time:
We supposed you had gone out of town
or out out of the world, for all you cared,
no doubt
We might have gone out of the world too,
you know
Yes. so you might. Did you miss me?'
we did. Pauline was quite anxious about
you
4 said nothing about Pauline. said did
you miss me. Can you make direct answer
to direct question:
oh yes, indeedr
oh yes, indeed what!
How cross you are SAID Miss Morette,
deliberately.
Cross, am |: lsupposed you missed that
Yes, sir
Then YOU must be sorry came back
The flannel garment upon which Miss
MOrettc was engaged became refractory, and
required all her skill and attention, SO she
lost that last remark
The doctor relapsed into silence Yet
something must have tlckled him, for he
smiled at the poker, At last he said
i came to ask your opinion ON a serious
subject. DoyOu think am too old to marry
That would depend on the age of your
wife, sir
Exactly. How very wise you are. Per.
haps you think am too cross to be good
husband:
That would depend on your wife, too
Perhaps she might like IT.
She would if she liked you, suppose
Like! like! Who cares for liking? That
leaves man out in the cold, and a woman,
too. BY the way, why did you not marry
'Oh, for several good reasons