Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-02-18


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
nows"
do not need rest, sir. | could not
part from Pauline; her mother gave her
TO me on. her death-bed and / cannot let
her 60"
Don't be obstinate and sentimental"
My dear doctor, it is such strange
ideal What would you do with herr She
would be great trouble to YOU"
She would be a great comfort. / am
attached to her. / have neither kith
nor kin. and / can be good friend to her
II you only had the sense to see it.n
But you are her friend now; you
cam
nog"
No, sir; l cannot do that"
" Is it your last word ~
1t Is, sir.n
"Nery well.n 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 a well-known and
longed-for step. Her heart beat faster,
but she neither moved nor looked.
Good,afternoon, said DIR. Lambert.
Good-afternoon, sir"
The doctor sat down in his accus-
toned armchair and began to poke the
fire.
" Are you all well?"
very well, thank you. Pauline is
sleeping in the other room"
:" 1t 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
perhaps 1t was the light of the fire, but
his eyes shone very brightly and bis face
had peaceful, pleasant expression.
Having enjoyed the silence long enough,
he asked:
" Didn't you wonder where was all
this timer"
We supposed you had gone out of
town"
Or out OF. the world, for all you cared,
no doubt"
1--WE might have gone out of the world
too, you know"
mey"
1--WE did. Pauline was quite anxious
about you"
" said nothing about Pauline. / said
did you miss me. Can you make a direct
answer TO direct question:"
ooh yes, indeedr'
"'Oh yes, indeed whatg"
"How cross you arer' said Miss Mo-
rette, deliberately.
thatg"
"Yes, sir"
"Then you must be sorry l came
back"
The flannel garment upon which Miss
Morette 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 tickled him, for he
smiled at the poker. At last he said:
:" came TO ask your opinion on a seri.
Gus subject DO you think l am too old
to marry"
THAT would depend on the age OF
your wife, sir"
Exactly. How very wise you are
Perhaps you think am too cross to be a
good husband?"
THAT would depend on your wife too
Perhaps she might like it,"
And why should she like itg"
"She would II she liked you, / sup
pose"
Likel likei 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"
State your reasons, If you pleasey"
In the first place i never had an Of.
fer. In the second place
That will do" said the doctor.
That suits me perfectly. i make you
Miss Moretse blushed a little, but she
did not speak.
Why do you not answer met"
You have not said anything"
"Then will say something. Madam,
will you be my wifer"
Because you want Pauline?"
No, because / want you. Look at
me-"
Miss Morette looked at the doctor. She
had always thought that his eyes were
beautiful, and the present investigation
confirmed that opinion.
"Well" asked DR.. Lambert
"Well:" answered Miss Morette.
And when Pauline had joined them.
and the little group sat cozily by the
fire. Fido wagged his tail in way that
said very plainly that, as far as he could
see, everything was well, and likely to
remain so.- Harper's Weekly.
A Good Joke on Safe-BlOwers.