The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-04-13
SELECT STORY.
THE DOCTORS PATIENT.

late in August. one of the doctors in
the hospital had insisted on his going
to the sea side for few days TO recup-
crate; and Miller, although i'll able to
afford it, had felt the necessity of it,
and had gone.
During his twenty-four hours away
he had patient at the same hotel.
1t was the companion of the rich,
fashionable Mrs. Chamberlyn.
'Providential,' he said to himself, sit
ting there vaguely listening to the deep.
toned music of the sea. i can remain
here a little longer it am paid for my
service here.
1t was two o'clock before he left the
sick girl, with the oppression almost
gone from her chest and her pulse
queted down.
She was able to thank him with u
very sweet smile when he left her for
the night.
After breakfast he returned to No.
I29.
The elder lady received him gracious
ly, introducing herself
The young lady, Miss Howell,
whose life l believe you have saved is
companion to me, but | am almost as
much attached to her as if she were a
relative. shall pay her bill, of course,
and wish you to continue to attend up
on her as long as there is the slightest
need of your services, doctor.
The smile of gratitude with which
the patient welcomed her physician
thrilled him as no smile had ever before
thrilled him.
There was fever, of course, for her
illness had been brought about by stay
ing too long bathing on the beach; and
it must take some days and great care
to recover from so sudden and severe
all attack; but present danger was over,
the young doctor assured them.
Mrs Chamberlyn learned that he was
from the city; she knew two or three
of the great physicians and would talk
about them; she took the liberty of ask
ing two or three questions about him
self, and was polite enough TO say she
thought that there was no place like
the city for medical man of talent.
In fact, this rich old lady had taken
fancy to the handsome young doctor,
and was pleased to show her interest in
him.
1t even came into her scheming head
that here was good match for hel
favorite, Roma Howell.
What romantic thing it would be
to bring about marriage between
these two!
Roma was accomplished, sang finely
played, read beautifully, would make a
delightful wife.
1t was true they were both poor, but
Roma could be help to him, could
give lessons, and so add to their in
come.
Mrs. Chamberlyn became so enthusi-
astic that she resolved to make the pail
wedding present OF a house, if they
would only do as she wished and fall in
love with each other
Well, it all came about as she wish
ed.
Dr. Miller who bad come for a week
remained three.
What did it matter so long as his
fees paid his expenses?
Yet, as he admitted to his conscience
Miss Roma Howell was no longer i'll
he could no longer accept pay for the
visits which had changed into hours Of
keenest happiness.
He would not leave the hotel so long
as she remained
She might be careless and expose her
self to a second attack.
Most of the visitors had departed; il
was September. He ought to go; wha
was to be done?
What a miserable thing it is to bC
poor!
He was taking Roma Howell out fo1
her first walk on the beach.
As he spoke he sat down on the
warm sand the camp stool he was car
rying and placed her on it.
'Why?' she asked, looking up will
those laughing, lovely eyes, Il have
never been so very miserable.
perhaps you are willing always t(
be poor, then 2? he said, with a gaze Sc
intense that, although she tried bravely
to face it, the silken fringes would sink
lower The girl who marries me will
have many hardships to encounter
Dare you be that girl 2
She sat silent for moment, while ht
stood by her side, the image of despair
He had not meant to be betrayed in
to such question for long time yet
but his passion had played him sud
den trick, and the question was asked
Il could dare the very worst of pow
erty if | were certain you loved me,
she answered him at length.
Love you Roma? You may know
how | love when you see how yol
have made me break my good resolu
tions. | had planned for years of worl
and struggle before l could hope to asl
for anything so sweet as wife's love
but YOU, with your bewildering eyes
your tempting lips, and your gloriou
soul-Oh, Roma! to have friend, com
paIion, a sweet partner such as yol
would be, dearest, would be having
my heaven as | went along.
AS he bent to look into her droopin,
face a rude hand came down on he
shoulder like blow-a voice, frightfu
with the ring of dozen evil passions
said:-
l. Il have found you Mrs. Chase, at last
u Just as ! expected to find you. Ar
you aware, sir, that you are MAXIM
: love to another mans wiie2
Another mans wife! repeated Dl
Miller; and he reeled as if the insolen
stranger had struck him in the face
while Roma, with a faint CRY, san
down insensible at his feet,
1t was the evening following tn
afternoon of that scene on the beach,
DR.. Miller had sought Mrs. Cham
berlyn, who was talking on, trying t
exonerate herself,
OF course had not the least ide
that she was a married woman. Sh
came to me last February in reply I
my advertisement for companioni he
,uov, - ,ko L.. o.l I L..