Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1883-11-01
The Valley Of Matrimony.

There is no more thankless task that
can fall to the lot Of middle-aged spin
ster with quiet tastes than that of engi-
neering a young women of any consider
able personal attractions across Europe.
The trouble began on the ocean steamer
in the shape Of captain in the United
States navy. At Paris it was big
Frenchman with nature like that of a
Newfoundland dog; at Marseilles it pre-
sented itself under the guise of dreamy
eyed German; at Rome it was silvery-
tongued Italian; at Naples it concen-
trated itself in, the most violent and
virulent form in the person of young
American doctor.
Miss Sutherland was troubled with a
cough-an entirely natural and appropri-
ate thing to young woman who exposed
herself in all kinds of weather on ship
board simply to know how the sea looked
in storm. The idea that that cough
needed physicians care was entirely
preposterous; but, all the same, we had
not been in Naples ten days before Miss
Sutherland's lungs were as much an OBJ
ject of solicitude to DR.. Manning as if
she had been in the last stages of con-
sumption. What delightful thing a
cough is-one, that is, which is quite
sufficiently slight, does not keep the
sufferer awake at night, or other
wise interfere with the comfort
able progress of existencel There was
just enough reality to Miss Sutherland's
cough to prevent her undertaking the
fatigue of a journey up Vesuvius, butnot
sufficient to interfere with any number of
small excursions to San Martino, Capo
di Monte, or anywhere else that might
be accomplished within reasonable
number of hours That cough con
tributed to Miss Sutherland Just the one
element of attraction she did not need.
The rather firmly set lips took on quite
gentle piteous expression when the irri
tated throat was trying to relieve itself
by fit Of coughing; slight fever gave
the usually colorless cheeks and clear
eyes briliancy, and the exhaustion that
followed reduced the young lady from
her usual attitude of sturdy independence
to most fascinating condition of
womanly weakness.
1t very soon came to be understood
that Miss Sutherland's carelessness in re-
gard to her health, her ignorance, and
mine also, of Neapolitan patois the
viciousness of donkeys, and the cupidity
of guides, made male escort almost
necessity in the neighborhood of Naples.
Whether the necessity grew out of the
ready provision to meet it, or the pro
vision out of the necessity, it is not
worth while to argue. Judging from
the independence of other lady travellers,
the former theory seems the more ten
able. During the first of these excur-
sions Miss Sutherland had something of
body-guard about her. Three or four
hands at least were put out to help her over
every rock and up every height. Presently
the number was reduced to one DIR. Man
ming had in fact assumed the same juris-
diction over the rest of Miss Sutherland's
movements that he did over the cough.
That ailment had been his especial charge
from the beginning, and he seemed to be
rapidly assuming the responsibility of
whatever else appertained to the young
lady. Matters had been in this shape for
about month when it became apparent
that something had begun to go wrong.
BY using the united intelligence and ex-
perience that have fallen to my lot l ar
rived at the conclusion that as Miss
Sutherland had regained her health she
desired to discharge her physician. |
was not prepared, however, for the
manner in which she undertook to do it.
The plan was revealed in the simple an
nouncement that she intended to change
her quarters to the island Of Capri.
Unhappily my relations to Miss Suther
land are such that for me to hear is to
obey. 1 looked at the bleak mass of
rock from my window and shuddered, it
being February, and the vaunted climate
of Italy being in fact as chill as an Eng
lish May. The effect of the announce
ment upon me was, however, mild to
that which it produced upon DR.. Man
ming. They were sitting very quietly
when it came--she half buried in big
armchair, he playing with the tassels Of
her shawl.
"Agnes pit was daring venture
that with her first name-"you are not
going over on that bleak rock2 It will
be absolutely dangerous for you. As
your physician | will not allow it."
Now at this moment the doctor had an
advantage. Had he pushed it, dainty
Miss Sutherland, with her assumptions
(, of dignity and frmly-carved mouth,
would have yielded that point and the
rest. He blundered, for he added, very
softly, "Don't go, dear"
l left the room always do at this
stage Miss Sutherland is a thorough
American in regard to her lovers. An
English or French girl would have fled
after me. The young lady in question
thought it quite proper that I should re-
tire The matter in question was quite
personal to herself and required no inter
ference from outside parties. The doc
tor went on blundering unquestionably !;
for an hour later, when she came into
INV room. we had the following conyersa-