The Newtown bee., 1877-10-11
Laura's Doctor.

I was thoroughly enjoying myself on one of natures best early Summer morn- ings; the trees were just in their early green, the meadows were golden with buttercups, the ditches hidden by the moisture-loving wild flowers. An old friend had told me of this place, with its pretty village, it's rustic rectory and glo- rious trout stream; telling me, too, how the gentle, kind old rector would, if asked, give me seave to make casts from his meadow across to the high bank uu- der which the fat speckled trout lay wait ing for the pretty dancing May-tiies, which fitted up and down in wondrous flight, sailing alott, and floating slowly down to the gllstening water. Gontinu- ing along the foot-path to where l had been told it turned into the copse, on passing which should find myself op- posite the rectory garden, where I was going to ask leave to fish, l stopped short for l had suddenly come in sight of s,ile, by which stood asweet-looking En- glish maiden, simply dressed, in holland colored grass cloth, with plain straw hat covering the dark hair gathered in cluster behind. She was very pale-a pallor increased by the black velvet tie fastened beneath the little plain collar round her neck, and as l first saw her she stood with the fingers of her right hand lightly resting on the little stle, while her left was held up as if to con- mand silence. It was evident that she had heard my approaching footsteps, for suddenly her face hecame animated, she chsped her hands together, joyous smile overspread her face, and she bounded towards me.
 At last, at last p she cried wildly i; and then, when within few yards, she stopped short, the bright look of aniina- tion faded away as if the sunshine had passed from her young life, and crossing her hands wearily upon her breast, she stood for few moments gazing at me, as inyuluntarily raised my soft tweed hat.
 No, no, no !' she said slowly, with 8 sigh; and looking at me agsin wist- fully, she turned away, crept through an opening beside the stilc, and was goue.
 Poor grill 1" l said; "shere's sad story attached to her life, I'm sure" walked on to the stilc, crossed the wood, leaped another stile, and stood in pretty lane, close to charmingly kept garden, running down from the road to a beautiful rustic-looking house, and not many yards from me grsy-headed old gentleman in black, with velvet cap on his head, was busy, trowcl in hand, planting scarlet geraniuns in one of the beds that dotted the velvet lawn. He looked up and started slightly as he saw me, then towing, he came down to the rough trellis fence that divided his gar den from the lane.
 "A nice morning." he said pleasantly, ss raised my hat. '.Fishing, pre- sumes"
 Yes" said; "I was going to try"
 "And you were going to ask my leave. eh !'' he said smiling.
 "I intended to call after I had been ! into the village" replied, taken some. i what sback. a .--. Did you leave town shis morning s' said the old gentleman.
 "Yes.' I replied, "by the first trais, ! and walked across from Hautley." "Then you must bo quite ready for breakfast" he said, referring to his watch. 'It will be ready now"
 "0h, thank you, no.' stammered, fur this offer of hospitality 10 perfect stranger was staggering, Il am going down to the inn, aud then if you will