The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1883-07-31
Seltff Smrn.
DOCTOR FRANK.

"Dear me! Such a pretty dress so
sadly wasted. 1t seems almost sin to
put it on. ! don't think Uncle Reuben
or Aunt Jane will appreciate it,and Fido
| an sure will not, inasmuch as it's ruff
fes are not 10 be soiled by his dirty
paws"
And thus soliloquizicg Kate Arden
hesitated a moment as to whether the
open trunk should receive back the pink
hat ste, with its innumerable e-edged
Aounces and loops of rose-colored rib
hon, or whether it should deck the pret.
Il, face and form reflected in the mirror
of Aunt. James best bedroom, occupied
only since yesterday by her pretty city
niece who had come down to smell the
June roses and WOO some OF their color
into her own pale cheeks.
Something in the reflection decided
the question. The trunk was closed
the bstiste donued, and looking as love.
ly as the flush OF sunrise Kate tripped
smilingly down the stairs, knowing tha
Two pairs of eyes would kindle into ad.
miration and that Uncle Reuben would
break into hearty speech. Nor was she
mistaken. He turned toward her as sbt
opened the door
"Ah,' here comes the little girl now +
be said; Kate, dear-why bow lovely
you're looking, my lassie-this is oui
new doctor-Doctor Lawrence. HI
stopped in to know how my rheumatism
was getting on, and l was just talking te
him about you"
The girl looked up; all regret concer.
ming the pink batiste fed, for standing
by her uncle's side was a young, hand
some man whose clear brown eyes were
bent full upon her, and who acknowl
edged the introduction with courteou.
bow utterly devoid of embarrassment OIL
rusticity.
"We thought at first no one could
take poor old Doctor Gray's place. con,
tiuued Uncle Reuben. "You knew be
was dead, Katep Yes, took sudder
cold last winter. But somehow / don,
think we'd quite know how to do with.
out Doctor Lawrence now, although We
old folks do laugh at some Of his new
dedged notions"
"You're very kind, Mr.. Evans" an
swered the young man in deep, musi.
cal voice. 81 hope you don't think me
nnappreciatiTe Of how little you've lei
me feel myself stranger in Evansville.
at was your own magic, my boy
but talking of strangers, you must GER
tsinly not be so now. We don't quite
know what to do with this city girl. whu
has come to spend few weeks with us
to get back the roses dissipation and
town life have scattered. You II have to
help US make the country so attractive
that she'll not be in too great hurry to
run away from US.
at you always set such delightful
tasks, Mr.. Evans, your prescriptions
will, am quite sure, be religiously fol-
lowed, though, unfortunately, every
chemist cannot make them up ;"
And he glanced at Kete with mis-
chievous smile
She was not slow with some merry
repartee, and when, half an hour later,
Doctor Lawrence took his departure, he
had left quite pleasurable little wave of
anticipation aud excitement behind. Nor
did Kate experience any more.regret at
pretty dresses being wasted, as one by
one she took them from her trunks and
proceeded to make herself as fascina-
tingly pretty as possible.
1t was wonderful, too, tho time that
Doctor Lawrence managed to spare from
bis patients. 1t grew to be very Gus
tomary thing for bis light wagon to
drive up in the early cleaning, and for
Kate to take iu it her place beside him,
for one of those charming drives she
said was doing her so much good. They
had long talks, too-talks in which he
told her Of his hopes for the future, and
touched very lightly on some Of his dis
appointments and struggles of the past.
She learned that this man was amhl-
tious; that the post Of physician in this
town was in his owp mind but step.
ping stone across the stream which vet
separated him from honor name and
fame. Somehcw her own blood caursed
more qniokly aui ber pulses leaped as
she listened. 1t was all 50 different from
the languid talk she was used to hearing
from the men who would spend, ia the
roses they offered at her shrine, sum
which would do 80 much to realize his
yet she wrote home:
II am having new experiences
Irritation with country physician. l
hope he's taking care of his heart, be
may ini it difficult to heal himself. For
me, of course, | have no heart. He has
so much spare energy I'm sure be must
6nd it kindness to be able 10 expend
some Of it even on me."
But after she had written this she laid
down her pen and sighed After all, the
words did not help her in fight she was
having with herself nor make the argu
ments stronger for her own convincing /;
but she fold ID AMI sealed the letter and
mailed it that same evening, she and the
doctor driving bv the postoffice that she
might do so. Was she sorry for what
she knew was inevitable2
June had nearly passed before Frank
Lawrence put his fate into hef hands.
She had bad many men to make love to
her, but never one in those simple, earn.
est tones:
You'll have to share some of the
hardships, Kate" he said; but TN make
them as light as may be for you, dar-
ling; and one day I'll make you proud
OF me. Looking ahead 10 the light, will
you let my love make the present not
Quite dark I"
he used no eloquence, no passion, bat
bis face was very pale, and his hand
trembled just little as he folded hers
within it and awaited her reply.
A sharp pain she could not then anal
yze shot through her heart.
II am very sorry, Doctor lawrence -
she murmured. "hut it ia iupossiole."
"Impossib!s! Why7'
"I-I-"
She got no further:
"You do not love ms7 Is that what
you would say2 Look straight in my
eyes and tell me true"
She dared not: He knew that onca
her eyes met his, she would hide her
head upon his breast aud whisper what
sue dared not aoku ,wlc'lge e-that he