The Goldsboro star. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1881-18??, 1882-01-07
THE COUNTRY DOCTOR.

The radiantly. y.colored leaves of the
October morning were drifting down
on the walk; the distant woods were
glowing like giant kaleidoscope, and
the sweet, pine-scented air was blue
with the intense blueness of an Ameri-
can autumn, as Doctor Dulany saun-
tered down the village street.
"My lines have fallen in pleasant
places" said he, to himself. "When
old Doctor Holden asked me to come
here and take charge Of his practice for
three months while he went to Europe,
I had no idea that I was stepping into
an earthly paradise like this, and"
But at this moment a tall, square
shouldered young man stopped, directly
in front of him, holding out welcom-
ing hand.
"Nol" cried he, "Surely my senses
can't be playing me false It Is Frank
Dulany And what in the maize Of all
the heathen gods has brought you
here@
Dulany laughed.
81 knew you lived somewhere IN this
vicinity" said lie; 81 am here in
charge of old Holden's patients for
three months, before go South for the
rest of my life, Tell me something
about Mossbridge and the Moss
bridgians."
Mr.. Kirke linked his arm in that OF
his friend, and together they walked
down toward the little stone hospital en-
the shore Of the river, where incurable
diseases, gratis-patients and outdoor
relief were Jumped together, as they
often are in country towns; and 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.
"Im coming to that" said Kirke
"We have q dozen pretty girls, at the
very least, but only one beauty. And
tell you what, Dulany, you had better
beware of Geralda Granger"
Sand why?" Dulany asked.
Because" Kirke laughingly made
answer, "she is merciless beauty--i
slaughterer of human hearts-in fine
o tirst-class coquette."
'And you think l shall become one
OF her victims ?" said Doctor Dulany.
"Think2" echoed Kirke, "I dom
think at all-I'm quite sure Of itp
"But I'm only q poor young countr,
doctor. Why should she trouble he
head about me, if she is, as you say
such peerless beauty"
Because" said Kirke, "she'd fir
with q chimney sweep, il there was NJ
one else on hand upon whom she nigh
whet her powers. It's in her. She'
born to rule human hearts, an(
trample on them afterward."
'tAEd how have you escaped thi
common doom of all mankindw asked
Dulany.
II haven't" Kirke answered, with I,
comical grimace. 'My scalp hangs a
her belt with half a hundred others. Sh,
refused ne year ago. She don't meal
to marry in Mossbridge. She has an
| nounced her determination to becom,
tho bride Of some city millionaire; an,
I think she'll do it, too--for, by George
she's handsome enough to be o crow
princessp
Doctor Dulany thought over al
these things afterward, when he was b,
himself in his little Office.
81 don't mean to become the prey o
this rural Cleopatra" he said to him.
self; ''and I rather think that my OBJ
sCurity is my security"
X
"The young doctor who has taken oil,
Holden's practice, chi" said Mis-
Granger, little disdainfulIy, she
to be at Miss Mix's to night, is he
| Very well-T shall soon dispose 0
hian!"
| Geralda Granger was tall, imperia
beauty, with dark, long-lashed eyes,
complexion like cream-an -and-roses, and
soft, languid voice; and, ct Miss Mix
| social gathering that night. she looke'