The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-09-27

are quite dlOne.
| felt INV heart fiutter as l said this,
and walked to the door to see if Mrs.
Bracegirdle by chance might be at hand.
NY suspicious were verified. l found
her very tidily gathering up shreds and
smoothing her door-mat, that is all: l
would not on oath say she was listening.
Mrs. Bracegirdle was, am sure, above
this weakness of her sex. Nevertheless
l resolved to close my door, which l had
modestly left ajar as 1 entered. Mrs.
Bracegirdle caught my eye and looked
little queer out of hers.
8" Honi soft q1i NAL y peaase," said
to her, with gravity becoming my great
uncle himself; and not waiting to trans
late for her, as | usually did, my Latin
labels, entered my room, and shutting
my door, advanced to my visitor. She
was reseated, and both of her exquisite
little bronzed boots were just visible,
swectly nestled one upon the other.
"You will, no doubt, think me very
bold, sir, but | have called to ask you to
prescribe for me!''
"Indeed, miss! Then it is profess
sional visit?''
"Unquestionably," with dignity and
ease.
This GOODNESS quite put all my philos-
ophy out of my brain.
"Pray may l ask what is your dis
ease?''
"Of the heart, sir
almost bounded two steps backward
/ was so taken by surprise.
"Of the heartp''
"Yes, sir. am in love. [ am told
that love proceeds from causes over
which medical men have CONTROL
l felt very doltish, and was for mo-
ment dumbfounded. Was this young
beauty quizzing me? IMPOSSIBLE! l
was too grave and dignified and self
possessed a person for that.
Pray explain, madam. How can 1
help you.''
"You had best feel my pulse, sir. 1t
is not for me to describe my disease. |
came to consult your skill, and put my
self under your hands for a perfect
cure"
"Bless my soul! Indeed, miss?"
"Yes, sir" And as she spoke she
removed her glove displaying charm
ing hand and wrist, and extended the
pretty member towards me. As deli
cately clasped it with thumb and finger
[ felt all sorts of emotions. | never eX.
perienced such sensations in touching a
patients hand before. In order not to
let her arm fall to the ground, was
under the necessity of supporting the
warm, soft little hand in my own. 1t
felt like a young, warm robin-redbreast,
and it palpitated for all the world Just
like timid turtle-dove. To this day /
have not the least idea how many times
her pulse beat minute. I had lost my
presence of mind so completely that |
forgot to take out my watch to time it.
l think, though, must have held that
little hand full five minutes, pretending
to feel thei pulse, all the while reveling
in the delightful possession. l only
wished it had been her little foot? But
doctors don't usually feel for pulses in
a lady's foot, however beautiful and
small.
Slowly she withdrew her hand, seeing
1 retained it longer than was necessary
but not as if displeased.
81 know of no cure" said smiling,
"but to prescribe the young gentle
man."
l heard a merry laugh behind the veil,
and it set me quite at my ease.
"Then, sir, must take you'll"
"Take me?" | exclaimed.
eyes, doctor. am in love with you,
and have been for some time.''
Impossible, MADAME"
cit is true''
"Why, l do not know you'll"
"Yet have often seen you. My heart
is yours. You alone can heal the wound
you have caused!"
l was COMPOUNDED. l feared was the
victim of quiz. l was perplexed what
to say or how to act. The mystery OF
it all piqued my curiosity, while my
heart and imagination were both ensnar.
ed and made captive by the invisible
beauty, for beautiful in face knew she
must be. And in love with me? Who
could she be? And l rose many degrees
in my own self-esteem at the idea Of be
ing fallen in love with, and by the owner
of such pretty fret.
evil you tell me who you are, or re-
move your veil!"
"Not now; have heard that you have
repeatedly said you would marry me fol
the beautiful smallness of my feet, anc
not ask to see my facet"
| was COMPOUNDED. What she said
was true. l had said SO to Hamilton
and half dozen others. Had they sem
her hither to challenge me to keep my
word? 1t could not be that one so love
ly and lady-like could be party to sucf
a scheme. Yet how did she know hac
said so? Perhaps some one have tolt
knows her, and told her, and she il
really in love with me,