West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-04-25
THE DOCTORS DAUGHTER.


'Dear dear, how it rainsr' said Hetty
Wallis.
She had opened the door the least little
bit in the world, to see if there was any
prospect of its clearing up, but the rush OF
wind and rain that swept in at the crevice
compelled her to close it again almost in
simultaneously.
1t was little brown house, on the edge
of the lonely Western forest-a brown
house, with sloping caves and a bay-win-
dow, and dooryard full of roses, whose
crimson clusters cleaned family in the late
autumn twilight.
Doctor Wallis lived here-Doctor W allis,
who had come West, with his two daugh-
ters, scarcely six months ago, and who was
the only physician in a radius of thirty good
miles around.
Hetty stood by the fire, one foot on the
fender, her dark, dreamy eyes fixed on the
red glow of the burning logs Sibyl, the
other sister, lay luxuriously back in cush-
ioned easychair, waiting for the lamps to
be lighted before she went on with the bit
of Berlin woodwork in her lap.
Sibyl Wallis was rosy checked, scarlet
Tipped beauty-one of those fair human
flowers which, like the lilies of Solomon,
are destined neither to toll nor to spin.
Doctor Wallis was poor man, and kept
no servants; but no one ever expected Sibyl
to do any of the rough and disagreeable
offices consequent upon house housekeep-
ing.
Sibyl busted the parlors, kept the vases
full of flowers, washed the tea-china, aid
''did up' her own pretty laces and pocket
handkerchiefs; and Hetty, the second
daughter-a brown little elf, with .etty hair
growing low on her fore head, and color,
less olive skin-cheerfully undertook the
prosaic part of life, as if it were her natural
inheritance.
''To think Of poor papa out in all this
tempest!' said Hetty, mournfully.
''Gentlemen don't mind such things, said
Sibyl, serenely. "And, of course, it's just
WnaC d uOCCOr muSC expect.
"Hush!'' said Hetty, suddenly turning
her head in a quick, bird-like fashion
'Some one is knocking at the back door. ,
"Perhaps you'd better 60 and see who il
is" remarked Sibyl, serenely.
1t was man all wrapped up in oil-skin
until nothing more than the tip of yer.
red nose was visible.
"Oh, l say, MISS" said the dripping visi
tant, "where's the doctor ?''
"He isn't in," said Hetty.
"Where's Doctor Wallis ?'' reiterate,
the man.
"He's outp' answered Hetty, speaking
loud and distinctly, under the impression
that the inquirer was deaf.
'It's Dakins boy,'' said the man-''he'
chokin' to death!'
"Oh!' said Hetty. ''Croup, Isuppose :?
Don't know what it is" said the mes
senger. "Ain't no doctor myself. All
know is that I must bring back Docto
Wallis" with a nod at his lumber wago
at the gate.
"But you can't, if he is out" said Hetty
The man stood moment, shifting fror
one foot to another, evidently in quar-
Diary.
'Tm blamed if know what to do," sal
he. "Well, Ill tell-ee what, miss! Yo
just send the doctor on to Dakins just a
quick as he comes back If Dakin's bo
chokes to death, it amt no fault of mine!
And away rambled the wagon into th
mist and twilight.
1t had hardly disappeared when littl
lad arrived with note for Hetty.
'It's from papa" said Hetty, hurriedl
opening it, and reading aloud the followin
message.
DEAR GIRLS: Old Eldwood is very bat
and shall probably be detained all nigh
Lock up the house as usual, and don't ez
pect me until l come.
Affectionately Fl. w.
ooh dearp' said Hetty, blankly; 'an
what is to become of DakiD's child ?''
81 never saw such a girl as you, Hettie.
said lovely Sibyl, with pettish contractio
of the brows. "You're always shoulderin
other peoples troubles. What is Dakin
child to us, I'd like to know? ?''
"But only think of it, Sibyl," said Hetty
clasping her hands-''a dear little baby su
locating to death, all for want of the sin
plest remediesv
"We can't help it, said Sibyl, settin
back composedly among her cushions.
''But l am not so sure of THAI" sal
Hetty briskly.sa 81 know the remedi,
papa uses for case Of Group, and how
use them. I'll go myself"
"Hetty," cried the elder sister, ''are yo
crazy?"
"Crazy?' said Hetty. "No, I'm onl
ordinary human. The child shan't die if
can help it."
She event to her father drug closet, opene
it, and took out several little walls.
Syrup ipecac, said Hetty, with Ii
tie nod of her head to each. sAsafutida
hive syrup Simple remedies, but vel
! effectual if taken in time."