The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-11-19

promise. The scent of flowers from the
small conservatory gave to the at
mosphere an ideal element, which, with
the hush of evening and the strange
throb in the air made by the weird mu-
sic, was peculiarly grateful to this poet
doctor, who, whatever he seemed, was a
man of superior genius and kindness of
heart.
There was an improvisation, he knew;
weird, delicious, elfish melody, that
made his pulses quicken and his feet
move nervously to time.
Then came a shower of sadness soft
breathing out of sorrow, rs one whisper
ing heartache to an intimate friend.
Then a roll of passion, and n finale of
lonesomeness which melted the proud
man as one is melted who mourns the
grief of ones best beloved.
Beautiful, Miss Blanche Allow me
to thank you for great pleasure" said
the intruder, at the close of the per-
Torrance, changing his seat from the
chair to the sofa.
"You there, Doctor Drayton1 You
are quite welcome" was all she said, us
she rose from the piano-stool.
"But, please, don't go away" / said.
81 haven't been 50 rested in many
months.
"Would you like me to play morel
If you only would be SO kind"
"Wlat will you have9 L believe you
are an admirer of Bach?"
ga most devoted one; but / would
very much prefer something of YOU
own"
every well. l will see if 1 can i'm.
provise for you. L never tried with an
audience, she said, simply.
A few broken chords, delicate scher-
20, clear and ripping, sigh, tremolo,
and John Drayton lost himself entirely
"Great heavens, Miss Blanche :" ex
claimed the rapt listener, as the music
ceased. 81 never was so strangely af
fected in my life before. 1t actually
seemed to me that you held me with &
clutch as strong as death, and that we
were floating away into space some
where"
How singular
"Indeed it was. Have you finished 2
Yes, for tonight. am engaged fol-
the opera; and there he is now"-as the
door-bell announced visitor. "Ao
reUoiy, Doctor Drayton -
"Well, well, said the gentleman tc
himself, az he passed into his office
"What has happened, 1 wonder! This
morning a Niobe; tonight a Juno :
self possessed, brilliant and almost i'm
pudent. This morning she hated men
and this evening is quite radiant a
thought of the opera with one of the mer
cenary creatures :"
At midnight DR.. Drayton's carriage
and the carriage from the opera were
driven up to the door ut the same time
Miss De Berri, flushed and excited, raj
up the stoop, followed by her escort.
DIR. Drayton joined them, shook hands
with the gentleman, unattached the doc
for Blanche, and i'll moment NOR,
both carriages whirled away, and Blanch,
and the physician were together in tn,
dimly lighted hall.
"Had q pleasant evening"" he asked
with considerable show of indiffer
ence.
every I" was the monosyllabic reply
Wouldn't you like glass oe wine =
"No, thank YOU"
Forrest is fne-looking man"
eyes"
81 understand he had ali immens,
property left him."
"Indeed 2"
BY this time they had both arrived q
the second landing.
"My prescription of this morning Ina.
acted like charm, L See, he flung on
after her as she reached her door.
She stopped a moment and said, alb
sently:
81 had entirely forgotten that yo,
prescribed for me. Did complain thi
morning Truly, 1 don't remembe
feeling ill., This morning seems montl
ago. Goodnight" and then the door
closed.
That's something no fellow can up
derstand," said Drayton, as he turned
the key. "Her property and his to
gether would make swell, eh know
if she got hold of the right One-and o
course the right one would have for
tine equal to her own-that she'd mar
ry. Stuff and balderdash how she ha
cried over that money of hers !"
The next morning, mt breakfast, Doc
tor Drayton was unusually silent anC
Miss De Berri unusually laxative.
: 60 looked all over my room, Doctor,
she said, after her pleasant good morn
, ing, "to see if could find the prescrip
ton You spoke about last night, but
couldn't"
! How could you find what you had
already takenl Will you ring for tn,
coffee, please, mother / find tina
there are several patients already in tn,
Office.
CT was quite surprised to receiv,
this note from Mr.. Forrest" said Mrs
, Drayton, after she had poured out tn,
coffee.
Doctor Drayton just then stopped
; some gravy from the platter on to tn,
table-cloth.
} " You may be a very good physician
John, but one thing is certain you'll
, never make surgeon" said the eide
: lady, with a smile. "My spare new
, table-cloth ruined / shouldn't hav,
supposed it necessary for Mr.. Forrest t.
behave so formally in this business. O
course his mother and sister will be wei
come any time they see fit to visit us
They are excellent people,"
| "Of course they are, +" said the doctor