The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1881-12-08
\ COQUE11E CONQUERED

kaleidoscope, and the sweet, pine-scente
air was blue with the intense blueness
an American autumn, as DR.. Dulane
sauntered down the village street.
My lines have fallen in pleasant places
said he to himself. "When old DR.. Ho1de
asked me to come here and take charge {
his practice for three months while he wer
to Europe, I had no idea that | was steI
ping into an earthly paradise like this
and
But at this moment a tall, square-shoul
dered young man stopped directly in from
Of him, holding out q welcoming hand.
"Non' cried he; surely my senses cal
not be playing me false. It is Frank Du
laney! And what in the name Of all tn
heathen gods has brought YOU here?'
Dulany laughed.
II knew you lived somewhere in thi
yicinity,''' said he; II am here in charge o
old Holden7s patients for three months
before l go South for the rest of my life
Tell me something about Mossbridge ane
the Mossbridgians.,
Mr.. Kirke linked his arm in that of hi
friend, and together they walked down to-
wards the little stone hospital on the shore
Of the river, where incurable diseases
gratis patients and outdoor relief were
Jumped together, as they often are il
country towns. AS they walked they
talked, with the careless abandon Of college
friends.
"But you haven't told me anything
about the ladies' said Dulany, carelessly
sI'm coming to that said Kirke. "We
have dozen pretty girls, at the very least,
but only one beauty. And I tell you what,
Dulany, you had better beware Of Geralda
Granger
sSWhy?" asked Dulany.
Because" Kirke laughingly made an
sWer, E'she is a merciless beauty-a slaugh-
+erer Of human hearts-in fine, a first-class
:"
sFAnd you think shall become one of
her yiotims?o said DR.. Dulany.
''Think?' echoed Kirke. ''I don't think
1t all--I'm quite sure Of it,"
''But | am only poor, young country
loctor. Why should she trouble her head
about me, If she is, as you say such a peer
ess beauty ?'7
Because, y said Kirke, ssshe'd t1irt with
J chimney-sWeep, if there was no one else
~ hand upon whom she. might sWhet her
,oWers. It's in her. She's born to rule
luman hearts, and trample on them after
ward"
''And how have you escaped the COM
non doom Of all mankind ?' asked Dulany.
Il haven't,'' hirke answered with a
'omical grinace. My scalp hangs at her
oelt with half hundred Others. She has
her determination to become
he bride of some city millionaire, and |
hink she'll do it, too-for, by George, she
S handsome enoughto be a Crown Prin-
ess!" :--.....-
DR.. Dulany thought over all these things
when he was by himself in his
title office
81 don't mean to become the prey of this
ural Cleopatra, and / rather think that my
bscurity is my security he said to him.
elf.
''The young doctor who has taken old
1olden's practice, eh?" said Miss Granger
little disdainfully. Gle is to be at Miss
iix,,s tonight, is he? Very well-I shall
oon dispose of him.
Geralda Granger was q tall, imperial
eauty, with dark, long-lashed eyes, a
omplexion like cream-and-roses, and
oft, languid voice; and at Miss Mi1's
ocial gathering that night she looked as
)vely as dream Of Circassia. But to her
lfinite dismay and amazement, DR.. Du-
my took no more notice Of her than he did
f old Mrs. Percy who wore a wig and
lue speetacles. He was coolly polite
nat was all; and Miss Granger did not
now what to make Of him.
ssBut he's rather handsome" she unwil-
nglr admitted to herself.
Miss Granger put on her prettiest dresses
nd decorated her hair with the sweetest
overs out Of her alnt,s conservatory, and
7ally devoted herself that autumn to the
usiness Of captivating DR.. Dulany.
SsThe man must be made of cast-iron,'
1e said to herself. And only an insig-
iffcant little country doctor at that. It's
erfectly ridiculous. The idea of his visit
1g Mrs. Herbert just because she has
lania for charity and poor people! And
e took Lucy YiIlars down into the woods
} botanize after autumn flowers-tIle hate
Il sehool-miss And he's going to join
[rs. Gracey's Shakespeare society. I
ever was blue-stocking, and I never
i'll be. Let him go!,'
But Gera1da couldn't content herself.
18th this system Of philosophy. DR.. Du-
my was the first man who had ever resist
] her fascinations, and she determined
lat he should be the last.
And she tossed her head, and froze up,
ke a fair ieicIe, in his presence, and the
inty hearted fellow never seemed to even
now it.
"A charming young man. said Mrs.
racey-.sso intellectual, 50 perfectly well
lformed on every subject.
so truly generous and good to the
oor!f said Louisa Herbert.
sefFs.