Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-11-16
city gilt roses on as mine and Edith 3

"a valentine, said she, "for me?
"But think you are mistaken, little
Midge."
She opened the letter with n sensation
of wonder as to whom it possibly could
be from.
For she got so few lettes, this gentle
drudging little creature, that the very
sight of an envelope in q strange hand
was circumstance to startle her.
From Doctor Ingraham," she said
to herself.
"He will call here to see me this even
ing.
"Oh dear, dear I knew how itwould
be.
"He thinks it's so strange that |
haven't said anything about paying him
for his attendance ON Midge and Edie
when they had the scarlet fever.
"But he doesn't know how poor we
are
"And he doesn't know-how should
he2-that L was going to his Office this
very week; to ask him for the bill, and
try and save up the amount, little by
little, until I had got enough,
"Oh dear oh dear
"What am I to do?"
She laid out the children's rations on
the table-a bowl of milk, and two lib
eral slices of bread for each-and eau
tioning them not to go near the fire
which smouldered in q little cast-iron
stove-went to her daily work with a
heart which felt like lead within her
bosom.
Mary Reid was talking in her high,
soprano voice, about the valentine she
received.
Leila Payne and Sarah Howell were
giggllng over gilt and tasselled epistles.
directed in masculine hands, but Lily
went straight to the forewoman.
"Mrs. Dobbs," said she, ''can you
lend me ten dollars ?"
ZIP" said the forewoman, in sour sur
prise,
"I need it very, very much !" said
poor Lily "and If you will give it to
me to-day-this very afternoon, | mean
4 will pay you my next two weeks en-
tire wages as they come in"
Mrs. Dobbs did little mental arith-
,vD ha cf al.
stood there staring with fishy eyes on
Lily Vennor.
Yes. the interest was not so bad.
She thought it might "paY; )" and so
she lent the ten dollars for a term of
fourteen days. Sundays and holidays
included.
And Lily, mastering up what cour-
age she could, stopped at Doctor In
graham's Office on her way home from
work.
81 won't give him the trouble to call, "
said she to herself; ''for, of course, it
will be disappointment to him to know
that he can't get his whole bill
'But I will tell him I will pay the
rest as soon as ever can.
"And I hope he won't be very much
vexed for, oh, he was so good to me
when the little ones were sick"
Poor Lily Vennor!
DIR. Ingraham's pretty little broug-
ham was at the door when Lily went
into his office, and Dr.. Ingraham him.
self stood at the table, in his fur-trim-
med coat, pouring some mixture from
one vial into another-a tall, dark man,
with eyes as black as sloes, and beard
as long and soft as floss silk.
He glanced up with smile as Lily
entered, and something like flush of
color crossed his dark cheek for mo
ment.
''Sit down, Miss Vennor, said he.
81 have just finished my visits for
the present.
'sIn five minutes I shall be ready for
home practice"
Lily had turned pink and white, by
turns, as she clasped the ten dollars
tightly in the palm of her hand within
her worn little muff.
I'll will not detain you long," said
she; and she waited until he had pre-
pared the compound and sent it off by
his man.
"And now ?" he ie standing opposite
to her, with folded arms, and a height
that seemed to her positively command
ing.
"I received note from you, she said,
'fhis morning."
"Yes, and why did you not wait for
me to call ?" he asked quietly.
81 was ashamed to put you to the
trouble" said Lilly, in low voice.
ST knew, of course, the object of your
call"
"Did you?"
He elevated his brows slightly.
"And I knew very well that I had not
the money for you," she added in des-
peratiun,
"But here ia ten dollars, and if you
will please let me know the whole
amount, will endeavor to pay it by
instalments as best can"
'You are mistaken, Miss Vennor, ="
said the Doctor.
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