Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-10-25
LAURA'S DOCTOR.

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was thoroughly enjoying myself on one of
natures best early summer mornings; the trees
were just in their early green, the meadows
were golden with buttercups, the bitches hid
den by the moisture-loYiTg wild flowers. An
old friend had told me of this place, with its
pretty village, its rustic rectOry and glorious
trout stream; telling me, too, how the gentle.
kind oldre would. if asked, give me leave
TO make casts from his meadow across to the
high bank under which-the fat speckled trout
lay waiting for the pretty dancing May-fiies,
which fitted up and down in wondrous fight,
sailing aloft, and floating slowly down to the
glistening water. Continuing along the foot.
path to where had been told it turned into
the copse, on passing through which l should
find myself opposite the rectory garden, where
Was going to ask leave to fish, stopped
short, for had suddenly come in view of
stile, by which stood a sweet-looking English
maiden, simply dressed in holland-colored
grass cloth, with plain straw hat covering the
dark hair gathered in cluster behind She
was very pale, palor increased by the black
velvet tie fastened beneath the little plain col
lar round ner neck, and as first saw her she
stood with the fingers of her light hand lightly
resting on the little stile, while her left was
held up as if to command silence. 1t was evil
dent that she had heard my approaching foot
steps, for suddenly her face became anima-
ted, she clasped her hands together, a joyous
smile overspread her face, and she bounded
towards me.
"At last, at last" she cried wildly; and
then, when within few yards, she stopped
short, the bright look of animation faded away
as if the sunshine had passed from her young
life, and crossing her hands Nearily upon her
breast, she stood for few moments gazing at
me, as involuntarily raised my soft tweed
hat.
mo, no, mol" she said slowly, with sigh;
and looking at me again wistfully, she turned
away, crept through an opening beside the
stile, and was gone.
"Poor girl!'' said; 'there's sad story at
tached to her life, I'm sure"
/ walked on to the stile, crossed the wood,
leaped another stile, and stood in pretty lane,
close to charmingly kept garden, running
down from the road to beautiful rustic-look
ing house; and not many yards from me
gray headed old gentleman in black, with a
velvet cap on his head, was busy, trowel in
hand, planting scarlet geraniums in one of the
ha6s fhaf Aott tod ho tyalx-at ua
up and started slightly as he saw me, then
bowing he came down to the rough trellis
fence that divided his garden from the lane.
ga nice morning." he said pleasantly, as
raised my hat. Fishing presume?"
'sYes," l said, 81 was going to try"
Sand you were going to ask my leave?" he !
said smiling.
81 intended to call after had been into the !
village" said, taken somewhat aback.
''DId you leave town this morning." said the |
old gentleman.
''Yes," replied, 'by the first train, and |
walked across from Hautley."
''Then you must be quite ready for break
fast" he said, referring to his watch. at will |
be ready now."
''Oh, thank you, no." stammered, for this |
offer of hospitality to perfect stranger was
81 am going down to the inn, and !
then if you will kindly permit me to whip the
stream shall be very glad"
"Oh, certainly, certainly" he said: 81 am
an old fisherman myself, and 1 believe we of |
the craft are somewhat Free Masons in our
way. The Mayfy are well on, and you will
have good sport towards evening-not before" |
Ho moved towards the rustic gate as he |
spoke, and held it open.
''But really" stammered.
''My dear sir" said the old gentleman, 81
lead such quiet life here that visitor from |
the great city is most welcome. You will be |
favoring me by coming in and partaking of |
our humble fare, and, besides, you will get |
scarcely anything at the little public house be-
low"
This to me seemed quite idyllic, but / felt |
bound to refuse, TILL glance at my host deci-
ded me, and almost before 1 had recovered |
from my astonishment was in a cozy little
room, looking out upon rustic veranda, clus-
aOiCu "i"h iooSo just anu ucitiS
duced to ''my wife," pleasant, comely old /
lady with hair like frosted silver.
The breakfast table was spread; there was
the snowy cloth, the glistening coffee pot; at |
the other end bright cover that 1 was sure
would reveal ham and eggs; there was the gold
en- butter, the delicious locking crusty loaf,
and neat-handed maiden, without any fuss.
placed an extra knife, fork, plate and chair for
me.
'Tell Miss Laura breakfast is ready" said |
the old rector. ''She is in the garden" Then |
turning to me-''A word to put you at your |
ease," he said, sadly. "My poor daughter suf-
fers from terrible mental affliction. Don't |
speak to her. She would not answer; she |
rarely even speaks to u.s."
was quite prepared to see the lady had
encountered in the wood glide into the room
and take her place opposite, and this she did
without noticing me; and though had been
ravenously hungry just before, somehow her
presence so affected me that made but poor
breakfast. As we finished the poor girl rose