Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-02-15
. In TIE Glass.

IN II, anu inc COuBItBdblDll tuhb htlol@
ed every Sunday at the parish church
came chiefly from the farms that were
scattered broadcast over the surround
ing country.
The vicar was the Rev. Herbert Gard
ner, and ne was the happy father of
some halt dozen children, the eldest OF
whom, Matte, was charming girl of
twenty. There was little society in
the village, and Mattie's chic: ideas OF
the world at large were drawn from the
occasional visits she made to n relative
who lived in the neighboring country
town. Still, though she was homely
and unsophisticated. there was none OF
that affected simplicity you so often see
in girls.
She was a frank, fearless, outspoken
girl, full Of life and spirits, and never 80
happy az when rambling about the old
vicarage garden, picking basketfuls Of
roses for some sick boy or girl and car
ryinc with them sunshine into a DARK
ened home.
And in such works of real love and
charity the last few years of her life had
been mainly spent. Her father called
her "his curate," and, as the living wal
small one, she was the only curate he
had.
Matte had been free as. yet from
''heart disease" though a neighboring
squirrels son had made several awkward
attempts at love-making, and though
Matte quite recognized the compliment
he paid her, she never for a moment re-
gsrded him in any other light than rs a
friend, and remained herself perfectl y
heart. whole. This had happened when
she was, eighteen and time had gone on
smoothly enough, and Mt twenty she was
still happy in her uneventtul lot.
But the smooth run of life's wheels
was interrupted at last and the wheels
were iolted out of their usual tracks
for about this time there came to the
village young surgeon VINO was look
ing out for good opening for prac-
tice, and had determined to settle down
here. AS a matter of course, he and
Matte often met in the houses of the
poor, and, although not a word of love
passed between them, people began to
associate their names together, and tc
speak of what might happen rs GER
tainty.
One day when Matte was ~ usual
amongst her roses, a servant came tC
say that DR.. Robertson had asked fol-
her father, and, rs he was from home,
for her basket of roses on her arm, the
doctor might we'll be excused if he
wondered which was the fairer-tht
roses in the basket or the rose with the
basket. If such Thoughts passed
through his mind hequickly put then
aside, for he said
al come TO ask Mr.. Gardner if he
would step down TO cid Silas Jones
who is very i'll with fever. They ar,
very poor, and any help you can give
them would be better than medicine.
Papa is from home, she said, "anC
will not return till tomorrow. But
will take them some beef tea and port
if you think that would be good fo
him"
Nothing could be better" said thu
doctor 'But you must net go Their,
yourself for fear of infection. am go
ing past the house and will take then
myself if you will give them TO me-"
''Ne, thank You DOCTOR" said Mis-
Matte. Il never shirk my duty no
delegate it TO others, so will take then
myself"
Anyway, let nae walk with you
you are going now, and we can tall
about the case rs we go.
In n few minutes the beef tea auC
the wine were ready, and Matte sallie,
forth with the doctor. And this wa
the way they talked about the case:
"It's a beautiful day, isn't it?'
"Gloriousl' said Matte.
"What has become of you in tn
evenings lately? used to see You fire.
quenty, but now you are never to b
SEEN"
"Miuuie has not been we'll of late, 81
have staid at home on her account
1t is pleasant TO know that some on
misses me, she said, laughing.
81 miss you great deal, Miss Ma;
tie--almost as much, il not quite n
much, as yeur own people do. This i
Jones cottage; so nov let me take tn
things INF"
mo, indeed; l shall go in myself,
said Matte.
NO. decidedly no." said the doctor
ut can never be your duty to rush int,
uncalled for danger. / am obliged I,
see these people, so let me take tn,
basket in"
From that day it began to dawn OF
Mattie's heart that there was one MAJ
who missed her when she was absen
and who tried to keep her out of dan
ger.
Aud little by little this thought grew
bigger and took root, until there cam,
sort of echo to it, which said, 81 mis-
him, too. | wish he had not to risl
his life by going to see fever cases.
And from that day there was les
cordial friendship and there was NOR
shy reserve IN her intercourse with tn