The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-21

| Paris. His father refused even to make in
! quiry as to his wife but was informed shortly
| afterward of her death also by a paper sent
| to him from some unknown quarter. He
said nothing to any of his friends, but his
health gradually broke down, and from be-
| ing robust, active man he became in the
course of years an invalid. A second attack
| OF para yss was the immediate cause OF Mr.
| Maitland's last visit and no one knew better
than the patient that his days were num-
| bered.
'Ah, well!' he used sometimes to say, 81
don't want to live, and several people want
me to die-the majority ought to have their
wish"
However when Mr.. Fletcher found him
! self at Nice, with its charming surroundings
and delightful climate, he almost began to
have regrets that he must so soon bid fare
| we'll to existence.
II wish, Maitland, had come here sooner"
he said one day. why didn't you order me
here long ago?'
1T wouldn't have done you any good, and
| thought you preferred England"
so do, to live in; but this is the sort Of
place to die M
Maitland made no attempt to turn his
| thoughts; his patient always resented it if he
did.
81 hope you are having a pleasant time
here as we'll, continued Mr.. Fletcher. II
don't want to monopolize you. you know"
Thanks, l think I've shown you | can
leave you alone occasionally"
Il didn't know you had friends here. Who
are those people l saw you talking to this
morning in the gardens?'
''The Kestertons; only know them slight
ly."
"H-m!" coughed Mr. Fletcher. 81 should
have thought you knew one of them rather
we'll She's pleasant-looking girl"
Maitland tried his best to look unconscious,
and Hattarad him self ha supcna6a6
"Oh, know the one you mean," he said,
but she isn't one of the kestertons; she is a
Miss Fletcher"
Same name as mine. Well, Fletchers are
common enough"
'Yes, 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 disturb
him; he had 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
they often came to watch the passers-by 1t
seemed to please the invalid to see the gay
life of which he could no longer be par
taker.
The young doctor was still sitting silently,
when he was interrupted with: Bring her
! here; 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 little girl seven or
| eight years old.
"Do you wish to know herr" asked Matt
land.
Yes why should you be afraid of me.
| I'm not likely to be rival"
Maitland felt this was home thrust the
I old mans eyes were keen enough yet. He
went forward to meet Miss Fletcher, closely
watched by his patient
Amy" he said, II want to introduce you
| to patient of mine. Oddly enough, he has
the same name as yours. You will do
! him and me kindness if you will talk to
him few minutes"
with pleasure" replied Amy, adding in
half whisper: 80 it is kindness to you
for me to talk to some one else, is itH''
'Sit down here, my dear" said the invalid,
after a few minutes general talk. Maitland,
you take little Missy to see that wonderful
cactus at the end of the terrace; 1 want to
talk to Miss Fletcher little"
| Maitland obeyed, glad to find that he had
| interested his patient in 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 sbout her. and found
| that her ompanion was an apprecative lis
tener. Not only that, but he asked questions
about her-a most unjustifiable proceeding,
of course; but he salved his conscience by ar
guing that nothing Cissy could say could al
very pleasant to hear her praises sounded by
| dsinterested observer,
At the end of a quarter of an hour they re-
turned to the seat. Amy rose as they APP
preached.
Maitland" said Mr.. Fletcher, II am 60
ing to stay out here for another hour or so;
you had better accompany this young lady
home. You will find me here when you re-
turn"
Maitland did not make any very length
ened protest
How do you like my old friend?" he asked,
when they were out of hearing.
II think he is delightful" was Amy's re-
ply:
What did you talk about?'
"All sorts of things. He asked me q lot OF
questions how old 1 was-that was very
rude, wasn't it?-and about my father and
mother, and how it was l lived with the
Kestertons"
And what did you say?'
II told him that you could tell him mora
about me than | could myself. He seemed
rather surprised. 1 should not wonder if
you came in for a crossexamination this
evening"
Did he ask you to come and talk to HIM
again2'
Eyes. Why"
II suppose because he liked your society,""
replied Maitland, wilfully misinterpreting
her question. BE sure you come to the ter
race at the same time Tomorrow"
Eyes, will make point of it, so you can
consider yourself relieved"
81 may be relieved, but don't intend to
be dismissed again" replied Maitland with a
laugh. II suppose l have no excuse good
enough for coming in?" he added as they
reached the door of the villa hired by the
Kestertons.
Il must leave you to settle that question"
II have no excuse at all, but I'm coming
in all the same if you will let me-"
sit isn't my house." replied Amy.
"That is a very ungracious invitation"
said Maitland, as he accompanied her into
the hall.
When Maitland, half an hour later, re-
turned to his patient, he found him talking
with a man who was sitting next him. "He
is making aeeuaintances to-day" thought
the young doctor AS he approached, how