Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1878-12-24

"Glad to see me, then? That's right.
Get the trunks, now, while we stow
away 4 ~
A moment more, and they were gliding
over the icy road, leaving far behind the
lights of Wheatly station Near to the
town. the passing current brought to their
ears the dashing sound Of bells and care
fully James turned aside his horses, cut
ting new tracks on the pathless snow, and
waited their approach. Gaily the party
came on, and as they passed. kindly
salutations greeted the occupants Of the
Doctors sleigh. With a smile to all, he
returned their cordial welcome; save once,
when. for a moment he thought he fecOg
nized the hood and cloak Of Hattie Morris.
But as quickly came the remembrance
how like one 10 another all ladies' apparel
seemed, and the momentary pain van
ished. saaW.H
Hurry home, James! I'll overtake
them yet" And soon the noble steed
stood quietly at the hotel steps Here,
turning to his silent companion, lie asked
-"When shall you calf
''Not to night; leave me alone and to-
morrow, God willing, we will 90 to-
gether.
Ushering him into his own quiet parlor.
with "good night, y DIR. Hope left him;
and bounding down the long stairs, once
more drew the buffalo robes around him
Taking the reins in his own hands, he
passed to another street. AS he drew his
horses prancing step into Il moments
quiet gait, before plain stone building.
companion hailed him.
TOO late, doctor"
''WhyY'
They were of half an hour ago.
4 could overtake them, if an hour
ahead
al know your Hero can't be beat, but
where's Your lady?" He saw the doctors
glance. as it rested upon the windows OPP
posite, and he answered it. Hattie Nor
ris went with the rest.
The doctor started; he remembered the
hood and cloak.
You didn't suppose she was going to
lose the ride on your account2 Come take
me inl I'm the one left. 7
MOI answered the young man. 81
sha'nt 60; but you are welcome to the
Sleigh And handing him the reins, he
stepped upon the pavement.
With much obliged, you'd better
go, " the other drove off; while the doctor,
",
rteurn, and with his own eye verify the re
port. Hours -long, dreary hours to him
had passed, when the mingling of merry
laughter and merrier bells proclaimed
their approach. All but one swept past
the stone house. Well he knew the girlish
form that bounded SO lightly to the door.
and in her own clear, ringing tones, he
heard her answer to the remark Of her
companion.
You are much mistaken; I.never en-
joyed an evening better.P
Not one regret for me, he thought.
"Well, it is better to find it out so, than to
have been refused Tomorrow. And the
doctor passed homeward in vain trying to
rub out from his hearts tablet the face and
form so long engraven there.
II was nearly eleven, and on Christmas
morning, that Aunt Martha and |, as we
talked costly in the parlor, were somewhat
startled by the announcement Of two
gentlemen callers. One was the doctor,
| the other a fine looking man of thirty
seven. My aunt must have seen diff
| ferently, for she turned deathly pale,
/ and sank, back in her chair. Only this |
saw, for obeying toe doctors motion, |
followed him to the study. Then ] asked
-"Who is hc?'
.sMy uncle, Frank Grove, who ap-
| parently procured me an Office in Wheatly,
| that might practice medicine, but in re
ality TO find if Martha Morris had ever
married s
With the name, rush of memory
swept my heart, and knew thisto be her
reward; that henccforth her trials were
ended. For himself, DIR. Hope was on
his dignity, nor once did he unbend all
that evening. He asked how / enjoyed
my ride, and answered, greatly.
Il saw you when you alighted, lie
said
..Ah, then that was you opposite! When
did you conner"
I'm the last train. could have gone
to the sleighingp' How coldly, and with
what an accent this was saidl
''Did you call'' asked.
mo / knew you had gone"
After this, we talked in monosyllables
until summoned to the parlor, where
was presented to Dr. Grove 1t was ]
merry Christmas dinner we enjoyed that
day, for, in spite Of DR.. Hope grave face,
could not but sympathize in the ealm
deep happiness of the elder members Of
our party.
AS we sat together, the next evening,
Dr. Grove called me to him.
Hattie, +" he said, for already we had
become fast friends, tive want wedding
at New Years. Can you get Aunt Mar
tina ready?'
''Yes, indeed can. asa ..ssH
THAT is right" he continued. MAR
tia and I have lost some of our best years
by foolishness, just as am afraid thai
nephew of mine is doing now. If you can
help him out of those blues, do
''Shall ~ said, roguishly; for very
well knew what the doctor believed.
'Yes, CO. s
So half in fun, half in earnest, I ad
vanced; and holding out my hand, said
demurely:
CDR Hope, didn't go to that ride on
Christmas eve.'
He took my hand; | think he would
have said saw you, but | added:
81 sat with aunt, that Kate might go,
but returned home with the party. \
He looked pleased. Then said slowly:
But the hood and cloak2"