The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-06-23


laughed the man on the bank, anC
down be came with flying leap to her
side. "What is ita Broke anything
ell ?"
| Kathleen had to laugh, he was SC
pleasant and breezy.
ooh no; only twisted my ankle,
she said, shyly.
"Only! Humph! You are used to
making light of great matters, | see.
And to Kathleens horror down he
dropped on his knees, and coolly took
possession of her foot.
$50 much for wearing low shoe,
he said, half angrily, as he looked at
the active little foot, clad in an Oxford
tie, and then deftly united it and drew
it off.
Kathleen grew indignant and red.
"You need not trouble yourself
she began.
"Be still am doctor, young lady,
and know what sprains mean" he
coolly retorted, moving the foot sc
gently. though her lips quivered with
the pain.
A doctor! Kathleen looked full at
him in astonishment. Not the new
doctor, surely!
"You are going to spoil two engage.
ments for me this evening, with this
foot, young lady, so you must repay
me with obedience. At one place,
music, laughter and bright smiles await
me, to welcome me to my new home /;
and the other, poor old woman is
waiting to thank me for looking up my
poor, the first thing after take posses
sion of my practice"
His frank eyes met the conscious
gray ones looking so eagerly at him.
"You speak of my home and my
poor old woman!" she cried out, glad
ly. 'Oh, ] am so rejoiced you are good
for something!"
He laughed heartily.
(Which you doubted And so you
were going to see the old woman when
this happened! Then you are"
"Kathleen Severn" said the girl,
quietly.
doctor Oscar Ware, at your service, "
retorted the CHEEKY voice, aud its owner
doffed his hat. "Now, Miss Kathleen,
| know all about you, for Granny Duff
is garrulous, and as you are used to
obedience expect you to mind me
now. My horse is at the blacksmith s
across the field, where left him to be
shod, while came over here to gather
wild roses for a sick lad in the village,
and while go after him you must sit
still and wait for me.
Kathleen started, Would he drive
home.
ooh, but you must not!" she pro
tested, in terror.
"Nery well. Then I'll leave you sit
ting in the mud, waiting for delverer
more to your taste" said the doctor,
coolly, rising from his knees.
Kathleen felt her eyes droop with
sudden pain.
"Thank YOU" she said gently, with
a sadness III her voice that made him
look at her.
II will accept your help since | must
81 am used TO helping myself, bu: at
last | am useless
Il am glad to be the first to offer you
hely in your weakness" said the frank
voice gently; and then away he sped
across the field, leaving Kathleen dazed
with sudden ideas and emotions, yet
laughing low and shyly.
In a short while the doctor appeared
on the road, driving light wagon be-
hind a strong brown horse, which he
drew up before the mud puddle, and
sprang down lightly beside the young
girl.
lie raised her by her hand on to one
foot she put the other down carefully,
WINGED, turned pale, and, before she
knew what next would happen, she
was caught up in strong pair of arms
and lifted high above the mud into the
wagon.
"There!" said the CHEEKY voice, as
the selfreliant young man took up the
reins. "Your foot is all right, Miss
Kathleen. 1t is only strained little
and by the day after tomorrow you
may try another jump"
Kathleen listened shyly; she was
feeling emotions 50 new and strange
that silence seemed to protect her from
herself, and throughout the drive home
she could only listen and rejoice at the
brave nature Of the new doctor.
| Once only she spoke, TO ask him Ia
drive in the back gate and through the
barn yard, so that her entrance might
not be seen from the house. Then, as
he left her at the kitchen porch, and
gave her little glass bottle, with the
direction to apply it to her foot until
the pain ceased, she raised her eyes and
said:
II am glad you have come here Doc
tor Ware. SO many sad hearts need
you"
"But not brave ones like yours ?" he
asked, sharply,
Even l." she softly said, as sht
turned away.
Kathleen grew more cheerful as tn,
months went by, for her earnest, help
ful nature rejoiced that there was now
another to care for and assist the poor
and sad hearted in the village,
a great pride grew in her as she
heard her cousins condemn the new
doctor as too democratic and hard
working to suit their idle tastes: AM
her eyes and lips grew brighter eacl
day as some new tale of his cheer,
kindness came to her through villag
gossip.
They met but seldom, and then onl
a few words were uttered but Katf
ieen felt the need of even those fe,
words, and knew they helped her.
One day letter came. She was no
surprised it seemed to her as if tn
time must come when his nature woul
claim hers, and she was tremulou
with proud JOY.
He spoke of their first meeting.
: "of that task were enamored my fingers, wee
? For they fingered fCll long O'er those fetters
sheen"
"sAe smiled me her thanks, and turned from Il
| spot