The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-02-25


was sent for to-day to the c.
Hotel, to prescribe for o gentleman,
stranger here, who fell upon the ice, and
has got an ugly compound fracture to
keep him prisoner for long time. He
is all alone, his family being In Cali
fornia, and really think was more
grateful for an hours chat than for all
my bandages and splints.
II should say the chat was decidedly
the most agreeable. Poor fellow Who
is hep
You'll find the card in my coat
pocket. Not that-nor that that's ii r
Leonard Williansl Why, papa, that's
Leonard Williams"
well, dear?"
s. But, i papa. you remember Hattie
Simpson,"
s.fes, DEAR" said the bewildered
doctor, looking at Nettie's flushed
cheeks.
ssWho went to California three years
ago, with her father. and married John
Coles. Well, her father married the
widow of the great banker, Willis Will
liams, and she wrote that Leonard, the
only son, was coming here on his tour
through the States You must have
heard Leo talk Of it."
sWell, you know, dear, / don't hear
Leo much. AS she never comes down to
breakfast, and is out every evening, and
rs am away all day, there is not much
chance of her telling me the news. But
remember Hattie very we'll. So this is
connection Of hers?"
'sWhy, papa, all the girls are crazy to
zee him. His father left him an immense
fortune, and he is one of the most suc-
cessful lawyers in San Francisco.
Hattie describes him about as near per-
lection as one of LOUIS heroes"
HHe is rather fine looking fellow,
with large, frank eyes, that look straight
at one, and he has good, clear voice,
too, as if he was ashamed of nothing he
had to say. He hero! Well, he won't
captivate heroine just yet, Nettie, for
his arm is in a bad way. Now, the
lancet"
The long, able article was read and
criticized, aud quite perceptible inn
preston mdUe upon the knitting before
the doctor and Nettie concluded to seek
their respective apartments, and if there
mind from the brilliant party she had
lost, her fathers warm kiss, and 'sGod
bless you, darling" quite drove it
away.
The next morning Leonard Williams
was fully discussed at the breakfast
table. Leonie and Lucy were still
dreaming of the conquests of the pre-
yioEs evening, but Mrs. Hammond de-
cided that the invalid must be their
guest. The doctor was only too glad to
offer their hospitality to the stranger,
and Mrs. Hammond fully appreciated
the chance thrown in her way. Leonie
and Lucy were much too facinating for
resident in the house to1eave the heart
whole, and visions of the strangers i'm
mense wealth danced in fascinating con-
fusion through mammals brain as she
dressed for the ride to the c.
Hotel to offer her motherly care to
Leonard Williams.
He was up and dressed when the doc
tor entered the room, but there was a
contraction of the lip and brow, dead
~ pallor and weary expression that told
of acute pain, borne quietly. To say
that he accepted the doctors invitation
gratefully, gives but faint idea of the
glow in his cheek, the light in his eyes
that expressed his pleasure. A honel
{. We can al feel independent when we
are well, doctor" he said, smiling; "but
there is nothing like twinge of pain to
recall mother love, or good fit of sick
ness to bring out home memories. But
] am afraid to tax your kindness so far.
A stranger"
Not at all. The women folks have
discovered an old friend. You may have
heard Hattie Cole speak of the Ham
monds."
s.Speak of theml Haven't I bowed
in spirit before Miss Leonie's picture,
and admired even to Hattie's content the
exquisite stories of Miss Lucy. And you
are really DR.. Hammond?"
Really, and Mrs. Hammond is wait
ing in the parlor to add her invitation TO
mine, and see that you have the proper
number of pillows in the carriage
The reception and first impressions of
our hero, are best put in his own words
In pile of letters tied with a ribbon,
and tucked away in Mrs. Coles work
table drawer, there was one which read
thus:
P. Dec. IS.
DEAR HATTTR:-You were very anx-
ious to have ne write as soon as had
seen your dear friend Leonie Hammond,
and tell you how she impressed me, SO
here goes for long letter. First and
foremost, you must go to mother for the
details of a lucky fall had, and the sub
sequent invitation to make DIR. Ham
mond's house my home; then, fancy me
fairly domesticated, in charming room,
with that dear old gentleman to pay me
daily visits, his stately wife to see that
have every comfort, and the young ladies
flying in and out, as the whim takes
them. / have never been tap sick to
come down stairs, but appear daily in q
charming crimson wrapper that suits my
Spanish complexion to nicety, and
slippers that would make nest anybody
lazy.
But all this time you are waiting to
hear of your friend. Hattie, she is be-
wildering; even your descriptions fall
short of the reality, and your vignette
portrait is miserable libel. Such eyes
now full of fire, now beaming with
mirth, now melting with pathos-such a
queenly figure, such beautiful, rich
tresses, such sunny complexion-well,
words do her no justice. She is the
most wonderfully beautiful woman I
ever saw.
Of Lucy, I see bat little; she is abb
stracted and self-contained, spends whole
days shut up in the doctors library, and
seems to pass her whole time In dream
ing out her new stories or poems, which
are certainly worth the trouble.
But, Hattie, why did you never tell
me Of the other one, Nettie, the house
hold fairy, the wee, witching, graceful
Cinderalla to these lovely sisters? No,
not Cinderella, for the heroine was
abused and neglected, and Nettie just
wraps round her warm heart the love of
the whole family. While Leonie is rid
ing, driving, skating, or sleeping, and
and Lucy is shut up in the library be-