Daily Kennebec journal., 1876-08-25
NO. 2ol.
Tales aud Sketehss.
A MUTUAL MISTAKE.
lCoNTINUED FROM YEsTERpAY.1

CONTINUED FROM YEsTERDAY1
"4ou ought to feel quite honored," he
said, presently, ''at being allowed to share
St Paurs infirmity. You know the learned
IN those matters have decided deceased
eyes to have been his thorn in the flesh"
"l don't believe it," said Flossy :rrev-
erently, 'it is only their opinion and 1
have as good right to mine l think he
was Jilted, and that that was the reason he
remained bachelor. and was so cross on
the subject of marriage !'
DR.. Buchanan laughed outright.
hen have l heard so much hetero-
doxy in one day" he said; "but of
course, no woman would admit that
man would ever remain unmarried of his
own free choice"
Not such sensible man as St. Paul
was. at any rate,' retorted Flossy and
the doctor thought involuntarily, ofthe tall
and handsome young man who had ac-
companied his fair patient ON the preced-
ing day, and of the house-keeperly confab
which he had partially overheard.
II can easily imagine that you would
nave no trouble in winning converts to
Your opinion" he said, courteously, but
tlossy never noticed compliments, and
drying her eyes, finally, on the doctors
handkerchief, returned it to him, and rose
to 60. AS she took up her bonnet, a
slight sound behind her attracted her at
tentlon, and turning she saw leading to
another apartment door open hesitat-
lngly. A sweet young face appeared for
IA moment at the opening, and soft voice
said, apologetically:
IL beg pardon for interrupting, but /
must see you just moment. Alec, about
something important"
Immediately" answered the doctor;
and Flossy, thinking that it was plain, not
only that he was no imitator of st. Paul,
but that he had displayed uncommon good
taste in his choice for a wife, took the
package of medicine which he handed her,
and made her way out through a room
fast filling with patients.
Flossy went the next day, and the next,
and continued to 90 each day, at the same
hour. to her new ply ysician and, strange
to say, in spite OF all the inquisitorial tor
lures he subjected her to-the scalding,
blistering, cupping, Ieeching and SO on
her visits to his office gradually grew to
be the chiet pleasure OF her day. Know
ing that he was an "old married man."
and that his pretty young wife was always
at hand in the next room, there was no
need for her to assume a reserve foreign
10 her frank and genial temper; SO she
laughed and chartered freely with him,
after the manner of women with phvsi-
clans whom they like and trust. and he
found it impossible to resist the charm of
her sunny mood Besides another tie,
closer than that of doctor and patient had
been discovered between them.
One day when, in the mutual skirmish
of wits, she had launched delicate arrow
at some pet foible of his. he turnedupon her
new application OF torture.
and shaking omnously small phial con-
tanning some colorless liquid.
"Wha are you going to do with that"
she demanded. hall-defiant, half-deprecat-
ing.
Il am going to drop some Of it behind
your ears" said the doctor, severely. "to
blister them as a punishment for hearing
all that | say in perversely distorted
fashion; and if were not very merciful,
should likewise bestow a little upon the
lip of your equally perverse touugue"
'Oh-h, don't pleased" cried Flossy,
away as he approached her.
81 will take it all back Will 1t hurt
much ?"
TOO late for repentance. said the doc
tor, in stern voice, but gathering away
very tenderly the soft brig ght curls, which
chung about the pretty little ears; and
thinking what shame i. was that it should
be necessary to fret that dainty skin with
blisters.
Fossy held her breath, and sat tremb-
frlx 1>Fo Oh
pain but the terrible drops fell harmless
as if they had been water. and DR..
Buchanan laughed aloud at her look of
surprise and relief.
81 did punish you, did not 2' he said
in glee but the fright was the whole of
it. The blisters will not be painful; only
4 little uncomfortable, and great relief
o your eyes"
'But l should like to know how am to
10 my hairP'' said Flossy, plaintively; II
shall just knot it all up at the back of my
lead."
"Oh, don't" begged the doctor. ''It's
such beautiful hair. beg your pardon.
out have sort of right to praise it. be-
cause it is Scotch-the real gold of a High
and lassie's locks. The very sight OF its
lowing from its ribbon snood. in these
lays of dragged up and frizzled topknots,
gives me home feeling. Do you know
have fancied more than once that your
orefathers must have been counirvmen of
ninep These eyes are certainly the true
scotch blue, and you don't know how it
lurls me to pour this burning stuff into
hem"
The sudden, scorching pain made Flossy
lold her breath for few minutes; but,
when it had subsidized somewhat, she said,
eagerly:
so you are Scotchp l never thought
If it before, and yet might have known
/ by your name, and by-by-"
by what, pleaseP" said the doctor
with eager eyes on her face.
"By my learning to like you so quick
~" said Flossy, frankly, though her color
ieepened under his pleased lock. For,
you must know, have always had the
greatest liking for everything Scotch.
The Scottish Chiefs was nv first novel;
could spout whole pages oft at the ma
ure age OF seven, aud Sir William Wallace
las been my pet hero ever since. After
yot beyond Miss Porter. Sir Walter Scott
noE nnSSpssinp nj v,1a