Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-08-24
10. 900.
Tales and Sketehes.
A MUTUAL MISTAKE.

''Drab and cherry for the parlors, with
satin-wood, don't you think. Flossy? And
blue instead or the inevitable green for
the dining room. AS for the bed-rooms-'
Never mind about the bedrooms, or
any of the other rooms, for that matter, if
you please, Mr.. Rossitur. Remember you
gave me carte blanche about this furnish
ing, and | mean to show yeu an original
house, with no stereotyped colors or styles.
Just contide in my taste, and keep your
purse strings open"
ITO the extent of their capacity, my
dear. And. of course l wouldn't dare to
venture to question woman's taste, least
of all this little woman's. But your eyes,
Flossy, your eyes You hadn't developed
your interesting intention of becoming
blind when | gave you that carte blanche.
you know. Why, | suspect. when the
doctor has done with you, you won't be
able to distinguish between Metternich
green and u Dagmar blue -
The eyes thus disrespectfully alluded to
flashed laughing reproach at this teas
ing speech.
.Now Fred, it is too bad of you to re-
mind me of what l have got to undergo,
just as | was trying to get my courage up
by forgetting it for moment. And when
did you turn man-millner, l should like
to know? You ought to be ashamed to
know one color from another, and don't
believe you do either. / shan't let you
choose thing; it's quite enough Cor you
to have the honor of paying the bills"
''Hush, Flossy! here is the doctor.
Now do be brave, DEAR" interrupted her
al~
Flossy turned white and looked piteously
round.
The door of the private room opened.
and tall, grave-lookng man advanced
into the ante room. He was holding by
the hand a pale little girl with a green
shade bound closely over her eyes. and
his new patient noticed how trusiingly the
little thing clung to him, despite the pain
he has probably just inflicted on her; and
it inspired her with a feeling of confidence
on her own part. Still, she trembed and
grew quite cold. when. having dismissed
The child at the door with CHEEKY good
bye, the oracle who was to decide the
fate of those pretty blue eyes of hers APP
preached herself and her companion, and
bowing, desired TO know their commands.
I'VE have been referred to you, by our
family physician, as most skillful occu-
list, Dr. Buchanan" said Mr.. Rossitur,
presenting his card. | wish to consult
you on behalf of myths lady. He ap-
prehends some serious difficulty with her
eyes. VIII you be good enough to ex-
anime them for yourseli?"
The doctor bowed with professional
gravity, and leading the way into the
inner room requested the lady to be seat
ed in the patients chair" But poor
Flossy grew whittier still, and looked pite-
ously AT Fred, who laughed nervously,
and at the doctor, who answered with a
re assuring smile. Then she rose with a
mighty effort. shook out her sashes,
stepped doubtfully through the door, as
though she was crossing the threshold OF
the Iuqustion. and let herself down into
the great leathern receptacle as gingerly
as though it were the rack itself.
"Oh-h" she exclaimed, with a little
irrepressible nervous cry, as the doctor
adjusted he chair so as to move her head
backward Fred laughed again at this,
and the doctor looked amused; and Flossy,
ashamed of her babyishness, seated her.
self reso,utely in the dreadful chair. set
her little teeth, clinched her kidded fin
gers, and-shut her eyes tight determined
to bear like woman and heroine, what
ever fate might be in store for her.
but must see your eyes, if you please,
madam" said the doctor.
Flossy opened them with a flash. redden-
ing turiousIy at her own stupidity. Then
She laughed, and the two gentlemen joined
her; ami after that they all felt more at
their ease, and DIR. Buchanan proceeded
quietly to make the examination.
Very keen and intelligent was the
searching gaze OF his clear gray eyes;
very firm, though gentle, the touch of his
strong. slender fingers; and Flossy felt an
conlid, nee that his verdict, be
it what 1t might, would be final, aud
trembled inwaldly while she awaited it,
1t was bad enough, but not so bad as it
might be, when it came at length: Con
vicled, but not condemned,' might be
as the summing up. There was
a certainty Of reprieve, and hope OF
ultimate rescue; but, meanwhile, the
penance OF total idleness. and daily sub
lection to medical treatment, was ad-
Judged.
Flossy drew long breath of relief; it
was so much better than she had feared;
and Fred, the big tender-hearted fellow,
rushed up with tears p his eyes, and en-
braced her regardless OF appearances.
The little lady colored violently, and
pushed him away.
For shame, Fred y she expostulated.
in a vehement whisper; and then, to con-
ceal her embarrassment, said gaily to the
Doctor:
'Do, pray, give us again the nice long
name OF what YOU said was the matter
with my eyes. People will be sure to ask,
and shall feel so learned when | tell
them"
DR. Buchanan replied gravely, and dis
creetly assumed to have seen nothing Of
what had happened.
But he had seen, nevertheless, and
enyied while he saw and even after the
par had departed, with hearts wonderfully
lie htened, to forget their fears in the
delightful mysteries of house furnishing;
and even while he himself was very busy
with innumerable cases of ophthalmia,
and Heaven knows what un-
ulterable ailments of unfortunate optics,
the membrance of the comical touching
scene came back to him more than once,
and with a hope that he might not have to