Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-07-28

"She is as maidenly and modest rs the
most fastidious lover could wish, con
tinued the old doctor; "but l have
known her and loved her since she was n
baby, and can read her heart. Poor
child"
His sigh was echoed by DIR. Dun.
'.Will You believe me if tell You that
| never dreamed of this?" he said, earn
estly. Miss Warren seemed to me set
apart by her suffering from earthly pas
sions, and should have rs soon thought
of loving n saint.
"She is very rich. -"
"Yes, | am glad she has every allevia-
tion money can give her, said Dr. Dun,
not appreciating the implied hint.
"And Miss Leigh; Is she wealthy"
my Annie? Bless You, no! But we
are not afraid. shall continue to live
here for few months, because Annie
will select and furnish house SO much
better than / can; but it will be the
tiniest cottage"
"Well, you can 60" said the old doc
tor, ''and take my best wishes for your
happiness.
But he said it in dull, heavy tone,
and his face was very grave when he
called upon Esther
"You must take me back for a month, !"
he said, as cheerfully as if his heart was
not like lead in his bosom. "My assist
ant has gone away"
Then he looked Mt Esther's fernery, rs
if his whole soul was absorbed in ferns,
and added:
"He has gone home to be married. 1t
is quite romantic. A long engagement,
with the wedding postponed by poverty
on both sides"
He heard quick, gasping breath, but
did not turn his head, as he continued:
"What luck you have with your ferns.
Ny maidenhair will never grow rs yours
does. Mrs. Wyck says that raising flow
ers or ferns is a gift. She does not sue
ceed as you do" and 50 on, and so on,
until clear voice, low, sweet and per-
fectly quiet, interrupted
DIR. Wyck, please come and sit here
and tell me about DR.. Dun.
He told her all he knew.
II feel very grateful to the doctor"
Essie said, ''for he has been more than
kind, and / should like to make his wife
wedding present. l hope we shall be
friends"
II hope So" the doctor said"
"He left her soon after, stopping in
the hall to mutter:
81 had rather face the worst surgical
operation | ever performed than repeat
that"
But Essie made no moan.
Even Martha could only guess her
pain, and before the new doctor returned
to Millville his patient was her sweet
placid self again.
But at the station Dr. Dun and his
happy wife found Robert, the coachman,
waiting with carriage.
"Miss Esther's compliments, doctor,
he said, "and will you allow me to drive
you home?"
1t was bewildering to be driven to the
prettiest of cottages which was brilliantly
lighted.
A little maid-servant opened the door,
and ushered the way to drawing room
daintily furnished, where note was
laid conspicuously upon the table.
at was directed to "Mrs. Herbert
Dun," and begged the acceptance of
cottage and contents from the doctors
grateful patient, Esther Warren"
"Ours!''the bride cried. This pretty
home is oursw
And happy home it proved as well
as pretty one.
Martha had made it as attractive and
complete as possible, every room hand
somely furnished, and many trifies of
Essie's own work adding to It's beauty,
and the doctor accepted it with most
earnest resolution to pay her for it if
skill and kindness could ever do so.
There is no more welcome visitor in
the beautiful home of the crippled heir
ess than Annie Dunn, and if the children
of the pretty cottage ever have a griev
ance, they are sure of sympathy and
comfort from Essie, who stands in the
place of guardian angel in their hearts.
But there has never come to Essie any
dream of love since she took Herbert
Dunn and his wife into the place of
halnvnd hrnthnr and sister