San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-04-13


en- gate, watched the retiring figure out
of sight. She was very quiet all day,
and in the evening propounded this abb
surd question: "Tom, what would you
do if l should jilt youP"
Tom stroked his downy upper lip, and
looked pensive.
"Couldn't say" he replied, after
some moments of reflection. "You
might try it, and see."
"Perhaps 1 WILL" she responded,
more seriously than the occasion SEEM
ed to warrant. Tom stared hard at her,
bnt Immediately forgot the incident.
Nearly year passed. One day, Mrs.
Kellicott's servant rushed into DR.. Glib
sons house, and breathlessly announced
to that gentleman that "Mr. Tom would
be dead as door-nail long afore he got
there, if he didn't run" For two Sec
onds, thinking of Tom as his rival in
Matty's affections, the Doctor had half a
mind to consign him to the tender mer-
cies of good, stupid, old DIR. Wells; but
his better nature prevailed, and he start
ed for Mrs. Kellicott's at the very heels
of the excited servant-girl. When he
arrived, he found Tom in high state of
delirium. He pronounced it a severe
case of typhoid fever, and privately
added a doubt whether he would recov-
er. He sent to his own house for some
changes of clothing, and prepared to
stop for the present with the sick man.
Matty, too, was unwearied in her work,
and, being necessarily much in Toms
room, consequently saw the Doctor con-
stantly.
He and his patient presented a marked
contrast to each other; the latter was
cross, captious and peevish to an I'M
heard-of degree, and talked necessarily
of some unknown being named Kate
On the other hand, DR.. Gibson was so
patient and gentle, so strong and help
full, doing so much for Tom, and yet
not forgetting one of his accustomed
duties, that Matty opened her eyes in
establishment.
One morning, as the Doctor prepared
sleeping-draught for some patient,
and dictated to Matty prescription for
somebody else, she said, with real soli-
citude, CDR. Gibson, you will certainly
kill yourself, if you keep on at this rate,
and it's my belief that you are over
worked and you ought to take rest"
"Do l appear to be at deaths door?"
he inquired, Strengthening up, and
squaring his shoulders, as if proud of
his proportions. "No, Matty," he con-
tinued, solemnly, though with merry
twinkle in his eyes; "'work,' as Mrs.
Bowers frequently remarks, lis pan
acea.'" Matty understood him, and
colored crimson.
At last Tom was pronounced out OF
danger, and now the Doctor felt he
must remove his belongings from Mrs.
Kellicott's house to his own. Matty,
hidden by the honeysuckle-vines of the
piazza, watched him so, and cried a lit
tie.
The morning after, Tom and Matty
sat on the lawn; he reading, or pretend
ing to read, while she sewed diligently.
Neither had uttered o word for more
than half an hour. Presently Matty
shook out the muslin cap she was max
ing, and laid it on her work-box, put
her little silver thimble aside, and drop
ped her hands one over the other in her
lap. Then she 10 oked up.
Tom was staring straight at her. She
colored violently, and so, for that mat
ter, did he.
"Tom," she began, "don't be an
cry. Do forgive me! /" she paused,
trying to think how she could tell him
softly; but went on bluntly, 81 want to
end our engagement.
$50 do l." rejoined he, with difficult
ty REFRESHING whistle.
They both burst into hearty laugh. |
"You see, Mat" said Tom, when he |
could speak, al love some one else"
Matte appeared to be taken quite by
surprise by this declaration.
"But l couldn't help it; indeed l
couldn't. She is"
"She is 4 young lady whose name is
is Kate, and her eyes are the blacklist,
her cheeks the ruddiest, and she sings
under the Stars, with guitar accom-
paniment," ratified Matte, all in a
breath.
1t was now Toms turn TO stare.
{. lNhnr., Ia ,-nn find oil thnt ni,t %,