Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-09-08
n.

However, when Mr.. Fletcher found him.
self at Nice, with it's charming surround
ings and delightful climate, he almost be-
gan to have regrets that he must SO soon
81 wish, Maitland, I had come here
order me here long agoF"
cit wouldn't have lone you any good,
and thought you. preferred England"
S I do to live in, but this is the sort of
place to die in"
Maitland made no attempt to turn his
thoughts; his patient always resented it if
he did.
II hope you are having a pleasant time
here as WE'LL" continued Mr.. Fletcher. 81
don't want to monopolize you, you know"
''Thanks, I think I've shown you I can
leave you alone occasionally"
81 didn't know you had friends here.
Who are those people I saw you talking to
this morning in the gardensW
II Kestertons; I only know them
slightly"
"H-m!" coughed Mr.. Fletcher. 81 should
have thought you knew one of them rather
we'll. She's a pleasant-looking girl"
Maitland tried his best to look uncon-
ooh, l know the one you mean," he said,
''but she isn't one of the Kestertons; she's
q Miss Fletcher"
"Same name as mine? Well, Fletchers
are common enough"
eyes, but not such Fletchers as She" re-
marked Maitland.
The old gentleman did not reply: his
thoughts had evidently wandered back to
old times. Maitland was careful not to dis
turb him; he nae noticed lately that his
reveries had become more frequent, and
that they seemed to soften the ascerbity of
his nature.
They were seated on the terrace, where
rkloxr 1e&or, N, 70 ~r1<o1, %h1 ,,n7c1uo H..
it seemed to please the invalid to see the
gay life of which he could no longer be q
partaker.
The young doctor was still sitting silent
ly, when he was interrupted with: "Bring
her here; I want to speak to her,"
He looked up and saw the young lady OF
whom they had been speaking approaching
them. By her side ran a little girl seven OF
eight years old.
"Do you wish to know herW asked Matt.
land.
"Yes; why should you be afraid of mel
Pm not likely to be a rival"
Maitland felt this was a home thrust; the
old mans eye were keen enough yet. He
went forward to meet Miss Fletcher, close
ly watched by his patient.
fanny" he said, IL want to introduce
you to a patient of mine. Oddly enough,
he has the same name as yours. You will
do him and me a kindness if you will
talk to him a few minutes"
"With pleasure,' replied Amy, addingi in
a half whisper: $50 it is a kindness to you
for me to talk to some II else, is itN
"Sit down here, my DEAR" said the in
valid, after a few minutes general talk.
'sMaitland, you take little Missy to SEQ that
wonderful cactus at the end of the terrace;
I want to talk to Miss Fletcher a little"
Maitland obeyed, glad to find that he had
interested his patient in a new direction.
He took little Cissy's hand and marched
her off toward the cactus, though she
seemed scarcely to like leaving Miss
Fletcher.
She soon began talking about her, and
found that her companion was an appre.
ciative listener. Not only that, but he
asked questions about her-a most u~njusti.
fable proceeding, Of course; but he salved
his conscience by arguing that nothing
Cissy could say would alter his opinion of
her governess, and it was very pleasant to
hear her praises sounded by a disinterested
observer.
At the end of a quarter Of an hour they
returned to the seat. Amy rose as they
"paHMaitiand," said Mr.. Fletcher, II am
going to stay out here for another hour or
So: You had better accompany this young
iady home. You will find me here when
you return"
Maitland did not make any very length
ened protest. 500