The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-11-13


B." lie will be home directly, replied
Belle. advancing.
"Oh. but We can't wait. There $ lit
tie Peter been and swallowed Il marble"
and away he rushed across the street.
evidently under instructions, to the hated
rivals house.
Belle retreated to the sitting room and
cried with yexation; the enemy had gain
ed an entrance into the camp; for if this
family became his patients others would
be sure to follow: and she looked out of
the window again, just in time to see
Edmund Rand hurrying with the boy
down the street.
But more was to come.
Belle belonged to Thursday evening
whist party. where whist was the excep-
ton and dancing the rule On the Thurs
day evening following DR.. Rand's first
call, she attended one, when, horror of
horrors, There was that gentleman and
his sister. and worse than that, when
quadrile was being formed, he, of all
others, came to invite her to dance.
Belle was lady, and as such could not
refuse so she accepted his arm and took
her place in the set.
Despite herself. that evening she was
very much pleased with him. He was
we'll informed had travelled extensively,
was full of taste and feeling. conversed
with animation and originality. He
sought every opportunity Of addressing
himself to her. and found these opportu-
mites without much difficulty. For sew
eral Thursdays the same thing occurred.
for he had become very popular and was
being invited everywhere.
One morning the father and daughter
We're at breakfast. Belle began to like
her bay window better than ever, and
when the doctor came ont she always re-
turned his bow with frightening color.
| that may have been the reflection Of the
roses surrounding her. DR.. Wood had
been called out at a very early hour and
had returned to breakfast in not the best
of humors.
q suppose I shall die in the poor
house." said he, as he buttered his toast
with an alarming irritability. This Rand
is getting all the practice. He got three
of my patients Yesterday
ooh. papa replied Belle, gently; Il
dent think he has got a dozen altogeth-
err
"A dozen, Well, that is dozen lost
to me. Miss. It's proof that people
think me old-worn out-useless.
NONSENSE papa: N is increasing
in population every day. and for eve.y
one he gets, you get two
lndeedr' replied the doctor, with
considerable animation. 1T looks to
ne as if you rather sided with my rival
The bell rang at this moment, and the
servant announced. "Dr. Rand"
Dr. Wood had no time to make any re-
mark. ere the young man entered the
room, bowling most politely to the old
gentleman and his daughter. who looked
as confused as her father looked sur
prised. The young doctor looked both
handsome and happy-the old doctor
| thought. triumphant.
Pardon me, sir, for disturbing you at
this early hour, but your numerous calls
leave me scant opportunity. My errand
will doubtless surprise you, but | will be
frank and open. | wish to ask your per-
mission to pay my addresses to your
daughter
ITO do what, sir?' Numbered the old
doctor, in a towering passion. Are you
not satisfied with trying to take from me
my practice, but that you must now rob
me of my child? will never consent to
give her to you"
But. sir, said Edward Rand. turning
to Belle, 81 have your daughters per-
mission TO make this request. told her
of my intentions last night, and she au-
thoriZes me to say that she approves of
them"
Belle" exclaimed her father, sis
this true?''
My dear papa, | am in no hurry to
get married, and will never marry against
your wish: but | will never marry any
one else than Edward.'
Ungrateful girl muttered DR.. Wood
and the next moment he sank back in his
chair with an attack of the disease of the
heart. to which he had long been subject
ed"
"Open the window" said the young
man, preparing with promptitude and
earnestness to administer the necessary
remedies: "be not alarmed--it is not
dangerous attack
Belle obeyed her lover promptly and
quietly aware of the necessity of self
possession aud GOODNESS in Il case like the
present. In half an hour DR.. Wood was
living in Il large, airy bedroom. and the
young man had left. at the request of
Belle to attend patient of her fathers.
1t was late at night ere he had finished
his double rounds and was able to be at
the bedside of the father Of Belle, who.
with his sister by her side, sat Watching.
"He sleeps soundly,'' said she, in a
low tone, as he entered.
Yes. and is doing well, replied Ed
ward. Il will answer for his being up
and stirring tomorrow, il he desires it,
'.But will it not be better for him to
rest some days. asked Belle.
Better, perhaps: but what will his
patients do?''
You can attend to them as you have
done today" said Belle plcadingly."
"My dear girl, you, who know me, can
trust me with your father patients; you
know that when he is able to be about |
would reinquish them unhesitatingly.
But You must be aware that your father
entertains different opinion of me, and
for him to discover that | was attending
his patients would he to retard his re-
covery.'
NO, sir. came in remarkably strong
voice from the bed: - shall not be about
for a month. and after making me take
to my bed, the least you can do is to at
tend to my patients
"If you wish it. si,--'
II insist upon it, and to prevent any
opposition, you can say we are going into
partnership"
" But said Edward.
Il