Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-09-04
THE TRUEST CHARITY.
Cincinnati Saturday Night.

and Miss Lacy's liveried coachman sat
solemn and stylish on the box, having
about all he could do to manage the
restless, beautiful pair of bays.
Miss Lacy's footman stood in silent,
respectful waiting, at the open door of
the carriage-altogethe making an
aristocratic, imposing spectacle, at
which DR.. NOrth's handsome blue eyes
wondered occasionally, as, in his office,
from his seat by the window, he was
talking to Miss Lacy.
Not that the young lady was not
worth all his attention-all the atten-
ton any man could pay her, aside from
her position in society, and her almost
unlimited wealth, for a sweeter face
was never lifted in girlish enthusiasm
than hers, as, her big gray eyes glow
ing darby, her voice thrilling and ear
nest, she was telling DR.. North and his
friend another aspiring young M. D.,
a tale of suffering and sorrow and want,
she had come across on one of her
charity visits; and In her sweet, gracious
way, asking for their subscriptions on
her list to ameliorate the sickness, the
sorrow and the want.
DR.. North listened, and looked from
her lovely face, her elegant toilet, to the
establishment outside, and smiled in
concurrence with her views.
Certainly, will be delighted to do
my little share, Miss Lacy. Put me
down for $50 on your list. l wish [
could make it more. Jasper here, will
supplement it of course"
Nellie smiled delightedly, showing the
distracting dimple in one peachy cheek,
and her beautiful white teeth, so pearly
and even.
''Oh Doctor North, what a generous
donation! Why | had no idea you
would subscribe so largely. No one
has been so liberal yet that [ have
asked"
Doctor North bowed in response to
her impulsive little thanks.
"Dont speak of it: it really is not
worth mentioning. 1t is double pleas
ure yon have afforded me, Miss Lacy,
that of being of some actual, practical
benefit to your charity cases, as we'll as
I hope-pleasing YOU"
He gave her an ardent little look, that
brought swift little flush to Nellie's
cheeks and certain delightful quick
ening OF her heart throbs that more than
once had similarly happened in connec-
ton with DR.. North's handsome blue
eyes, and fascinating smile and melo-
dious voice.
"You are very, very good" she an
swered, lifting her sweet eyes for just
one second-long enough to create fresh
havoc and new elation in DR.. North s
heart; and he glanced from the elegant
equipage outside, with very self-satis-
fled expires ion on his face.
Nellie turned to Doctor Jasper, grave,
refined. standing beside the mantel,
watching the little play go on, stern,
curious look in his thoughtful fine eyes.
He did not give her an opportunity
to ask him.
''Miss Lacy, regret very much that
| am not able to afford adding a sub
scription to your list. If 1T were posi-
ble-if I could conscientiously do it
believe me, | would not refuse you; but
it Is impossible"
His voice was quiet, self-possessed,
and remarkably sweet ana manly, and
he looked squarelv In her eyes as he
made his grave courteous regrets.
Just the merest, faintest suggestion
of displeasure and GOODNESS crept over
her face as she listened, then inclined
her head IN her gracious, set, naughty
way.
81 am sure you know best, DR.. Jasper.
Pray pardon me for having annoyed
youl"
She stored the fresh, crisp $50 green
back in her little portemonnaie, bowed
her adieu, just tinged with little
feminine pique, to DR.. Jasper, into
whose eyes a half-amused little smile
crept as he grayely returned it-then to
DR.. North, with charming grace and
a bewitching smile.
81 shall never, never forget what a
grand, kind heart you have, Doctor
North. And do be sure, please, and re-
member to be at my next Thursday
EVENING"
He assisted her in her satin-cushioned
carriage, and ven'ured to slightly press
her pearl kidded hand at parting, while
Nellie, her face slightly flushed, turned
impulsively to the quiet-looking,
elderly lady, in black silk, on the front
seat.
isn't he just too splendid for any
thing, Aunt Annie?"
Mrs. Laurence smiled oddly.
'If you think so dear. Tastes differ,
however"
Nellie flashed an indignant little look
at the calm, gold-spectacled eyes.
ooh, auntiel Why, he gave me $50
for the O'Bannigan family"
''And he'd better have kept it to my
thinking. And where next, Nellie ?'
While in DR.. Lyman North's aristo-
cratic Office, with its velvet carpets on
reception and private rooms. its plush
furniture, and paintings on the frescoed
walls, its rich draperies at the windo VS.,
that gentleman was sitting complacent-
ly in his official chair, his hands in his
pockets, his handsomely-booted feet
stretched out, and returning Jasper's
sarcastic look.
"Well, you look as though you didn't
approve, Phil"
81 don'tw he returned, shortly. "The
idea of you giving away the sum of SOC
just because the fair beggar happens to
be Miss Lacy, the heiress! You can nc
more afford it than can, North. Your
practice is no larger or better. You
told me, not ten minutes before she
Calue III, that you were still III uept lOI
all this indicating by a nod of his
head the adornments of the suite Of
rooms.
North smiled.
That's fact, Phil. Pm running
behind every day, and owe the best
part OF 81 900. al, the same, l never
made better investment in my life
than when | gave Miss Lacy the last
dollar | had In the world"
L.