The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-09-26

covers speech DIR. Whitley is being driven up
the street at q brisk rot. But he had not Of
Tended the old lady. a. might be supposed, for
messenger awaited him at his Office, the next
morning, requestl.r another interview. DR..
Whitely's experience VIZ Miss Wildfang was q
bitter one. Without being i'll, the lady was
suffering an unrest Of mind and an uneasincss
Of body that was akin to illness. But one day
Whitley was surprised and relieved to have
Miss Maria break out in this way-it was really
breaking out
CDR. Whitley, don't you think it would be
good for me if were mairicd?" Miss Wild
fang was sitting by the parlor window; it was
twilight, and Whitley was seated in front OF
her, both gazing on the street. "You say yon
want me Interested. Don't you think it would
interest me to have a husband to look after?'
Whitley WAS watching man lighting the
street lamp opposite, and had just time enough
up his face. 81 think whatever you think
good for you would be good for you,". he said.
"You are stronger than you were, aren't you ?
and alive without the support of iced sponge
cake or the stimulus Of an overdrawn society
novel. The next step must be toward pur-
pose"
"Of all the men over met, continued Miss
Wildfang, ~ could name scores Of them, not
one Of them seemed to care anything for me.
1 was pretty then, and could waltz untiringly,
and lasted longer than most girls night after
night. But that was all. None Of them cared
for ne, and got tired of them; there seemed
so little Of them for men. Frank Reynolds
waltzes beautifully, DR.. Whitley, but he isn't
fit for husband, and Charley Gray, who took
me about so much two or threo winters ago. he
is really very handsome, but he is too silly to
marry, he is awfuliy empty headed; and
there is Ned Barlow, he kept ever so many of
my gloves, and believe that he has one Of my
rings, but ho is all fingers and feet; I don't
think he has mind"
"You mean he dances splcndidly and talks
nonsense, interrupted Whitley.
eyes l mean he doesn't talk common sense,
though he waltZes as if he were a beautiful
piece of machinery in motion and leads delight
fully If could meet q sensible. good man,
one who could care anything for me, now that
I cannot waltz much nor be up late at night
and laugh and talk as I used to, if you would
allow me DR. Whitley" and here Miss Wildfang
smiled, 81 think would like to marry him
that is provided he asked ME to-"
"What do you mcan Miss Wildfang" asked
the doctor, looking searchingly into the
woman's eyes-they were looking unusually
brilliant by the light of the street lamp.
"What can I do for you?"
"Ask Ned Thornton if he will not call, she
Mr.. Thornton to call, she repeated, "he has
been very kind to me-"
Whitley took the mint, at once, and shortly
withdrew.
Thornton was an old friend and classmatc Of
Or. Whitley, and fortune favored him in pre-
scribing the gentleman as likely to be of great
service in Miss Wildfangs case. He dropped
in to see Thornton one day when he was down
town, and the two put heads together over
some prime old samples in the private Office
But Thornton was disheartened man. The
panic had shaken tho wine trade to its center.
and the merchant had not prospercd of late
Whitley introduced some social subjects, and
the Wildfangs' name into the conversation.
"You say Miss Wildfang is ill?' asked
Thornton, with little Start. :.
"I said she was complaining" replied
Whitley.
"Doctor," continued Thornton, "that Miss
Wildfang is fine girl, superb waltzcr, never
shows wear, fresher at midnight than when the
ball opened. Amazing brightness, purity and
truth Could waltz one thousand and one
nights with her. Grace in her step, heaven ven
in her eyes, and all that. never paid her any
considerable attention; then the panic came
and everything seemed 10 be going wrong with
me, and ceased calling"
"They wcro speaking Of you tho other day, "
said Whitley. "Miss Windfang particularly
NY dear fellow, wish you would call and sec
the lady. don't think that the panic will hurt
you much up there, and Mrs. Wildfang u a
good old soul. To tell you the truth, Miss
Maria has something on her mind that my bit
ter drug cannot dislodge. I wish you would
call and tell me what you think is the matte:
with her. You know my reputation is at stake
in case like this.
Thornton promised he would call, and Doctor
Whitley entered an omnibus and rumbled up
town to begin his rounds. In week or two
his visits on Miss Wildfang ceased altogether,
while Thornton continued his with increasing
fervor. One day Whitley received few joyful
lines from his old cassmate telling him that
the bells would be ringing week from the
following Wednesday for wedding on Park
avenue. sigh of relief weled to his lips; he
had worked cure of very troublesome and
delicate case.