The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-12-27

chair; his feet, resembling little pillows,
ted on footstool; shaded lamp, on
a table near him, threw strong light on
a pile of New York papers, and tray of
empty dishes indicated that the ititier
man had not been neglected.
$50, my dear, I see you lost no
time"
"No, indeed" Pen said, as she lightly
put her arm round his neck and kissed
him. "Well, are you better tonight ?'
"Worse, 1 think. The best doctor
here went off to attend the funeral of
some forty-ffth cousin and left substi-
tute that knows as much about medicine
as butcher. How did you leave every
body2"
"Quite well. Salie will spend the
holidays with Carrie, so we are all pro-
vided for. What did you have for srp-
per?"
"Nothing with any taste it. Idon't
doubt they send to New York, but the
things are frozen on the way up"
"Well, frozen or not, 1 am hungry
enough to enjoy anything"
"Well, they'll send up your dinner in
few minutes. Your room is just across
the hall"
"I'n take off my hat, then, and be
Pen and her dinner arrived simulta-
neously at the door of Mr.. 1rving's room.
"You need not stay" she said to the
waiter, and as he disappeared she drew
the little table near the fireplace and sat
down facing her uncle.
"That's really comfortable, and how
well you look tonight p
Pen put her hand to her bright cheeks
and laughed.
"The cold air has given me my old
color. This isn't such very bad soup. ="
"Oh, you're hungry"
doctor Stuart" said the clerk, open
ing the door for tall man who stood
behind him and took in the scene at a
glance.
PENS color deepened as she rose. Mr..
Irving said, carelessly: "My niece,
Doctor Stuart, Miss Irving. I am very
glad to see you. Eat your dinner, Pen.
If the doctor is not in a hurry we can
chat, or perhaps he will join you. Have
you dined, doctor2''
"Thanks, I've had lunch"
GA railroad one, I suppose. Just
ring that bell, Pen. By the way, is
there room at that table ?"
ooh, plenty, uncle" and then, as the
doctor looked meaningly at her,
Uncle, Doctor Stuart and I are old
friends
"Indeed! Well, then, you can en-
Joy yourselves, as 7 suppose you have
not met very lately"
"Not for fourteen years." said the
doctor.
"Almest to day." Pen said, her eyes
flashing.
Mr.. Irving, stupid man, saw nothing,
but, as soon as the two were seated, and
another tray brought, turned to the
financial columns of the newspaper.
The embarrassment and hunger of the
pair were mutual. The doctor did not
mention having been on the train with
Pen, and she helped him and managed
some table-talk with so much of her ac-
customed grace that her guest began to
consider that the years had increased
and matured Miss Irving's charms.
With all his knowledge of human nature
he did not understand this woman. He
glanced at her fingers. Two large dia-
monds, each a solitaire, sparkled on her
left hand. He grew still more silent
Pen correspondingly brilliant
She told him how much she enjoyed
hearing Titiens, and how delighted were
Thomas concerts. She described the
latest velvet walking dresses, referred to
the fall races, and, after a moments ST.
lence, asked how he happened to be in
Port Jervis.
81 reside here, Miss Irving"
"Oh."
Then they finished their nGnce-pie,
and she asked him to ring the bell, and,
after little, Mr.. Irving became con-
scious that his niece had left the room,
and that the doctor was standing med
itating with his back to the fire.
Miss Irving, in her own room, raised
the wick of her lamp, drew chair to
the table, and sat down to think
Undoubtedly the doctor was by this
time married; he had, she thought, the
look of a married man, with children to
provide for. Of course it was all past
now, yet she could not but live over
some of the pleasant, happy moments
she had spent in his society, when both
were younger, gayer, more unselfish.
"Here [ am with no one in particular
to love or to love me. Uncle thinks he
is fond of me, but it is just because 1
amuse him when he can't go out to
amuse himself SalEe will marry Mr..
Harper, and then I'll be all alone.
suppose father did right, but this life is
not all roses"
After indulging in little cry, Miss
Irving recovered herself. She unpacked
her trunk, pulled out her camel's-hair
and some cardinal bows, rearranged her
pretty hair, and, looking the dashing
belle she felt herself, went back to
her uncle's room. Mr.. Irving was read
ing prescription; the doctor was gone
"Is that the man you say knows as
much of medicine as butcher?''
Dear me, no; that's the right man.
He has ordered an entirely different
course of treatment. He says he'll have
me out in three days. If SO, we'll be
home before Christmas day, after all. F"
Pen did not echo his delight. She
turned over the books and papers, took
up one a week old, and went to her seat
near the fire.
"Quite a nice fellow, Stuart is.
Where did you meet him so long ago?'
He used to come to the house with
Ed. Parker. Did he say anything ?"
"Oh, nothing. He knew brother
John"
yes"
s'Did ever see him ?'
the young folks had something going
OIL ne WIS sluuy1uS Ut the LIIue.
"Poor. suppose 2"
eyes, that WAS his chief fault
voice shook. Mr.. Irving put down the
prescription and, steadying his glasses,
looked at Pen.
A"Was there anything between p"
eyes; he and thought we loved each
other. Father said twas nonsense, and
So
And so, here You are, Miss Penelope
Irving, and the doctor, I'll warrant, still
bachelor"
I'm sure he is married"