Morris tribune., 1880-12-16
The Doctors Wife.


satin, and the messy rug in front Of the fire
into which your feet sank as if it had been
strewn an inch deep with newly gathered |
rose buds. And the fire glimmered in the
polished crate, and the wax candles beamed |
through their ground glass shades; and you |
might have fancied the apartment expressly |
created for sweet words and honeyed hlrta- |
tons, and readings from the poets, and the
various other pleasant occupations which
are supposed to belong to high life. But
not for frowns and lowering looks, such as
now disturbed the equanimity Of Mrs.
Wintringhams artistically- enameled coun-
tenance, as she stood there in rusthng
chameleon colored silk dress with red car
buncles hanging from her ears, while jose
phine Moore stood pale and shrinking be-
fore her.
Such forwardness I never saw, said
Mrs. Nottingham, mo, never! And
wish YOU to understand that it isn't going
to be toleratedin decent society, Miss Moore.
\ governess-yes, common nursery gov
erness, whom Mr. Wintring ham is good
enough to employ-to sit the whole evening
and firt with young DR.. Aymer!"
Il did not firt," pleaded poor Josie.
He was only asking me about the arrange
ments of Mendelssohn's music, which"
"Oh, very likely, Uttered Mrs. Wintring-
IL.
ested in music, I've no doubt. And when
you know perfectly we'll that Octavia expect
. ed him to be talking all the time to her.
Well, really don't know what this world is
coming to. One thing 1 wish You to IN
derstand-that you are dismissed from my
employment from this very moment. You
find your wages on the mantle yonder, for
don't grudge you the quarters money,
though you do leave in this irregular manner.
Of course you won't expect a character, for
can't conscientiously give you one"
Josie Moore turned very red and then
pale. She did not speak word of remon-
STRANGE, however, but, slowly turning round,
went up to her own room, put on her bon
net and shawl, packed her slender belong
ings in a small trunk and left the house.
Half an hour later Mrs. Nottingham,
rustling through the well-warmed rooms,
espied the money living untouched on the
marble mantle, where she herself had plac-
edit.
Dear me-" quoth the stately dame, 'the
governess has forgotten her wages. Well, 1
shan't take the trouble to send them after
herr
Josie went home to the poor but neat
apartments, where her aunt took in embroid
cry to do for a fashionable shop, and told
her simple tale. Aunt Mary's eyes, already
cation, we're quick to overflow in her neice's
behalf.
Its a burning shame, said the poor
woman, that such people should have it in
their power to tyranniZe over others, but
never mind, Josie, you shall be welcome to
home here until you find another situa-
ton"
II knew 1 should, Aunt Mary"
What makes you speak so hoarsely, child?"
questioned the elder lady.
My throat is little sore, aunt; think I
have caught cold"
You had better let me make you cup of
hot tea, and go to bed at once.
Nonsense, aunt" cried Josie, cheer1y.
I'm going to help you finish this first"
But the next morning Josie walked up,
hot, flushed and feverish, with hacking
pain over her temples and quite unable to
rise; and before evening she was delirious. "
Bob, said Aunt Mary, as she came out
of her niece's bedroom with troubled face,
and went down into the passage where the
landlady's d-headed son was playing mar
bles, II want you to go to DIR. Caffery's and
ask him to come here as soon as possible.
Don't delay moment, Bob, for it may be a
matter Of life and DEATH
Yes" said Bob, stoutly, and away he
went
els the Doctor in?" demanded Bob of the
assistant at DIR. Caffery's.
''No, he amt, said the Ganymede of
medicine.
"When'u he be in?"
Don't know, was the Estless reply.
Bob wasted no more time in useless in
quiry, but set off for some other doctor.
''If it is really matter of life and death, u
thought sensible Bob, st don't make any
difference what doctor they have"
SO it happened that young DIR. Aymer,
who had just returned home from visiting q
patient, found himself confronted by a
small red-headed boy.
please to come directly, sir, to No. 1C
Dukes court" cried out Master Bob, ex-
''it's case of life and death"
Mrs. Nottingham had sent Josephine
Moore away in order that she might be effec
tuallyrout of DR.. Aymers path; but Fatt
and Mrs. Wintringham were marshaled OF
opposite sides this time, and that rising
young physician walked into Josie's sicl
room quite unconscious whom he was to be
hold.
George Aymer started little when h
looked into the dark brown eyes; but JOSH
smiled up in his face.
ut wasn't my fault, she said, innocently
Il never dreamed of offending Mrs. Whit
IIuR1ldIu, OuI IL "do "1OuS1 NC4y "IOAS "
her to turn me out doors.
''You see she is delirious," exclainet
Aunt Mary,
Yes" said DR.. Aymer, in faintint
voice, Il see"
So while Miss Octavia Wintringhan
lounged in the handsome drawing room
dressed in silk attire watching the gildet
hands of the clock, and wondering why tn
expected did not come. DR.. Aymer wa
sitting by Josephine Moore's bedside, count
ing the rapid pulsing of her slender wrist
and thinking that he had never seen any
thing so beautiful as her pure, oval fac
and levely hazel eyes.
$50 you think lam really cured, doctor7
said the fair convalescent.
Josephine was sitting up in Aunt Mary
easiest chair, dressed in a loose wrapper
with her brown hair netted back from he
face.
Eyes" said the handsome young physi
elan, "as we say Of our hospital cases,
think may mark you down as discharge
cured don't think it necessary for me t
pay any more visits here, unless"
Josephine blushed deeply.
IT am afraid, doctor, +" she faltered glanc
ing at Aunt Mary, who looked equally dis
tressed, that THAT we shall not be abb
to-to-hand you your fees Just yet"
II was not thinking of my fees" OF
served DIR. Aymer.
But we must think Of it," said Joseph
inc.
And you won't let me come any mol
as doctor?"
"If our means" she began
what nonsense!" laughingly interrupte
the doctor 81 shall have to be more explit
it. May come, then, as your suitol
As your future husband? Will that d
Josie?"
The soft pink Pushes chased away Il
paleness of the young girls cheek.
CDR. Aymerpf 49, l..a
eyes, Miss Josephine Moore!"
fDoyou really"
sT do really love you'll" exclaimed Il
young doctor, fervently.
''But Miss Octavia Wintringham -wh
will she say?"
''What has Miss Octavia Wintringham