The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1878-12-28

HcShfey anu why, DuG momCnt ago;
thrill had come into her life, and made
the day more fair when the doctor came
into sight 1t must be love-it must, it
must be- And she never could have a
place in his hesrt, now, for he had told
her he hated the very sight of her
.spretty false face, and would not even
be friends any more.
"Paula" it was Aunt Derby's voice.
''Dr. Stone is here"
Eyes, ma'am, answered Paula, still
shelling away at the morning glory seed
as though the whole door yard must be
planted that very day.
Paula, arn't you comingl The doctor
wants to see you"
"O-o-hi" and Paula dropped the
seed, unpinned her apron her off head, and
went into the kitchen with very flushed
| face-but then she had been out in the
wind, you know.
DIR. Stone stood by the fireplace. He
shook hands in a very professional way,
looked at his patient critically, asked a
few questions as to appetite and exer-
| else, left a half-dozen powders to be taken
at intervals, and remarked, as he took
his leave, that he hardly thought it a
case where doctors attention was re
quired, and that, unless especially re-
quested, he should not deem it necessary
to call again.
That last remark touched Paula.
''Of course you needn't call again"
she flashed out, utterly regardless of
Aunt Derby's presence or CONSERVATION.
''Td sooner die than be saved by you,
and if | do want a physicians care l
shall have one who is tried and true to
prescribe for me, for l am going home
tomorrow"
With this spirited announcement she
flung herself down in uncle's armchair
and burst into tears; while Dr. Stone,
with the coolest bow and most frigid
ssgood-morning, stepped into his buggy
and drove away.
That very afternoon Paula started of,
unbeknown to Aunt Derby, for a long
walk. There was q greenhouse some
two and half miles out the old Holly
lands road, which contained some plants
of rrre variety, which she had set her
heart upon carrying back to the city.
Two and half miles were nothing to
Paula, and she made her purchases, then
sat while to rest with the old Scotch
man and his wife, and partake of a slice
of their oaten bread and a bowl of milk,
| before she turned homeward
| There's a nearer road" said old JUS
tin, as he was about to bid her good-by;
you'll need it, too. Only see how the
wind has risen, and there's already snow
in the air. It'll be tough walk home
in the face of such a storm
| But Paula laughingly assured him
she liked stiff breeze, and did not mind
walk at all, though she would take the
nearest way he pointed out. And of
she went, down the mountain side and
through the pasture, out of sight.
For half mile or SO Paula tramped
briskly along, not feeling the cold. But
the wind was biting, and constantly
blew her wrapping away, and by this
time the snow came binding sleet into
her face, almost driving her back Still
she kept on and on, holding fast to the
little plants which Justin had carefully
wrapped to keep the cold from them
But the road was strange one, and she
vainly wished she had taken the familiar
highway, even had it been further. II
was growing dark early, too, and Paula's
heart, which had not been brave that
day, began rapidly to grow traitorous,
and she felt very much like crying
Tears would have frozen, though, on hel
checks, SO she pushed on, hoping soon tc
come on the travelled highway.
| Wilder and wilder grew the winds
rushing and whistiing down the noun
tain side; thicker and faster came the
snow, and colder and colder became the
little hands that clasped the treasured
plants. A mile, it may have been, had
been passed, and already it was dark
She could never face that fearful storm
mile and half further 1t was use
less to hold out any longer. In utter
despair she threw down her plants and
dropping on a fallen log by the roadside
commenced to sob bitterly.
Above all the roaring Of the wind
and the wild rushing of the Hollyland.
creek, at that moment the rumble oi
wheels came to her ear. She started uI
wildly. Was relief at hand? Yes; there
through the binding snow mist she
could see something coming toward:
her, and with renewed energy she swung
her scarlet scarf high above her head.
The something proved to be man
with horse and buggy, driving rapidly
down the road. He saw her. He gtoppet
his horse in amazement at the sudder
apparition. And then-oh, horrors!-it
was Dr. Stone.
For an instant Paula wished she hac
died before he came But he had jumped
from the buggy and was close beside hel
before he discovered whom he was be
friending.
go DR. Stone. It's but Tn almost
frozen-and- and-you'll take home
won't you9"
There was something very pathetic il
her appeal, but he took no note of it,
only said, coldly
Certainly, Miss Derwent; you can
hardly imagine that would let human
being perish when | could save them by
SO simple means" Without another
word he lifted her into the buggy, drew
the heavy robes about her, and drove on
as rapidly as was possible in such a
storm.
Not a word was spoken. It was bad