The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-02-18

OOCtOls b00 O0lQ, AN very WuSA
obliged to you for coming. I dare not
ask you TO come again, bnt-may | 60 to
tell you when Pauline Is betterf"
Madam" said the doctor, sayagely,
"I do not allow my patients to destroy
the peace of my household. I do not
wish to be constantly reminded OF them.
And have the honor to bid you fare
we'll"
And he strobe away, followed by Eide.
The next day Miss Morette was seated
ut her window, holding Pauline on her
lap, when strange vision appeared be-
fore her astonished eyes. DR.. Lam
bert, or his ghost, was walking up the
garden path, with y large tin can in his
hand and two long white parcels stick
ing out of his pockets and bobbing amia-
bly, on each side of him. After the
fashion of ghosts, he entered without
knocking. But it was a decidedly living
and lively voice that said:
"Come, bring me two saucers and two
spoons. Be quick!"
Miss Morette did as she was told, and
the doctor opened the tin can. 1t con-
tanned some sawdust and q smaller can
filled with pink and white ice-cream,
which he deposited in the two saucers.
Don a say anything ;; eat it before nSa It
| IL Ill melGeO. DC qulCA! COmmauucu
the doctor, trying to look wicked.
The ice-cream being disposed of, DR..
Lambert emptied his pockets.
Here is some port wine, which you
will please use generously, as there is
plenty more where this comes from.
And now that you have what you
wanted, madam, hope you will be more
graciors than you were yesterday"
Miss Morette was 80 astonished at the
doctors doings that nothing he could
| say had any power to rouse her. She
was gracious, and nothing disturbed the
peace of that visit.
After this the doctor came every after
noon; for. as he said, 1.-THE child must be
fed"
Before the sumaer was over he had
quarreled with every human being in the
establishment except little Pauline. He
scolded the old women, he stormed at
the children, he laughed at Miss Mo-
rette's pills, he declared Suzette was a
goose. Yet, in spite of all this, no one
was afraid of him, and every one loved
him.
Miss Morette fought for her pills and
her affairs, undismayed by frowns and
sneers. If there was one thing the doc
tor enjoyed in his secret soul it was
good-natured contradiction, and Miss
Morette gave him that pleasure un-
sparingly whenever it became necessary
! As for little Pauline, she looked upon
her old friend with the eyes of love.
"You are so good and SO pretty!' she
said to him one day. The doctor knew
he was not "pretty," and he had serious
doubts about being good but he was
deeply touched by the feeling that had
| insured the words.
! When the cool days Of autumn had
cent away Miss Morette's guests DR..
Lambert's visits acquired certain init
macy and friendliness that made them
still more pleasant. He spent his after
moons in the little parlor, where bright
wood fire burned all day, and in that
room he seemed to forget that his chief
duty was to be cross. He played youth
full games with Pauline and Fido, usually
ending off with touching representa-
ton Of Red Riding Hood, in which the
doctor, crowned with red cap, greatly
distinguished himself as naughty little
girl, and meekly submitted to being de-
| voured by Pauline.
While she took her nap he related to
| Miss Morette many an anecdote of his
past life and told her all his old jokes,
which were as good as new to her. And
|
the poor with eqnal energy and enjoy
| ment.
But, alas!
"AI that's bright must fade,
| The brightest still the feetest;
| 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. II come early because have
something important to say to you," he
explained.
with a sudden presentiment of evil.
cit is this: l have thought of it for
some time, and this morning Jeanette
and came to an understanding. have
great favor to ask you. l hope you
will not refuse it. Will you let me have
| Pauline for little while?"
| LET you have Paulines Of course
"Wait-wait till l tell you ALL l
would like to have her with me for two
or three months. We would drive over
every afternoon to see you. Jeanette
is fond of children; she would take good
care of her and you would have little
rest. What do you think of my plan
now?"
II do not need rest, sir. I could not
part from Pauline; her mother gave her
to me on her death-bed and cannot let
her CO."
don't be obstinate and sentimental"
"My dear doctor, it is such q strange
idea! What would you do with her? She
would be great trouble to you"
"She would he great comfort. l am
attached to her. l 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
"Will you let her Gomez Yes or
nos"
"No, sir; cannot do that"
els it your last word p
cit is, sir"
"Very WELL" And the doctor left the
house, slamming the doors severely.
The next day came and went. Several
other days 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 mind
ed so much that she wondered at herself.
No real change had come over her life,
yet everything was changed, and had be-
come stale, fiat and Improbable.
1t was Christmas week. A light snow
was softly falling. Pauline was taking her
afternoon nap, and Miss Morette sat
alone by the fire, sewing and thinking.
Suddenly she heard well.known and
longed-for step. Her heart beat faster,
but she neither moved nor looked.
"Good-afternoon," said DR.. Lambert.
"Good-afternoon, sir"
The doctor sat down in his accus-
toned armchair and began to poke the
fire.
"Are you all wells''
"Very we'll, thank you. Pauline is
sleeping in the other ROOM"
"lt 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 an
swer.
Perhaps the doctor was glad too, or