Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-09-07
| lighting fresh cigars, and prepare to give

our attention. ut is not necessary.
will, however, say that Richard johnson
was one of those light-hearted, level
headed young fellows noted for doing an
immense amount of mental work without
much apparent study. He was what
might be called, metaphysically speak
ing, intuitively minded. He had the fac.
ulty of grasping a thought ere it was well
out of the mouth of the lecturer, and OF
comprehending and Analysing it before
ninety-nine out of n hundred of his class
mates could get ut the particular point
the professor was endeavoring to elucl-
date.
"We were chums," pursued the doctor.
81 liked him from the first hour was
thrown into his society. After while we
succeeded in engaging suite OF rooms,
which fact brought us into more confiden-
tial relations than ever, if that were pos
sible. Dick was persevering letter
writer. | found after little time that he
had an idol, and that it was not one OF
wood, brass or stone, or born OF the I'M
agination, but veritable flesh and blood
idol in the shape of woman, who was
not only young, but OF more than aver
age lovelness in both form and feature
that is, if one may be permitted to deter
|
To this idol. Ethel Merine, my friend
never tired sending long and loving mis-
sives daily, to which in return he daily, by
post. received answers. What the two
could find to write so much about was II
puzzle to me but then, you know, l
was never in love, have had no one ON
whom to lavish my affection, and, OF
course, not possessed of the necessary
experience, have no right to criticise
lovers. dare say they travelled over the
same ground and used the same express
sions many times, but that didn't trouble
them. To lovers --stereotyped phrases are
new-are original every time they are ut
tered But | will not further comment,
it is unnecessary. Richard johnson was,
| saw, profoundly in love. 1t was deep,
earnest passion with him. / often thought
what effect would it have on him if this
young girl-ths Ethel Merline should
prove to be an arrant coquette, who, tir-
ing of her student lover should encour-
age some other aspirant to her hand. |
say thought this. For the worll would
not have made the suggestion. To do so
would be to forfeit his confidence, his es-
TEEN, and place him on a rack of mental
torture, possibly eliminating in morose-
ness, jealousy or suspicion. He was very
happy in his love, and sincerely prayed
he never would have cause to experience
a change in his sentiments.
1--WE had lived and studied together
two sessions and were about entering our
third term, when one morning Richard,
with bright. cheerful face, came to my
place in the hail of the medical school
and whispered:
"Jervis, / am about to take a little rec
reation. | have an invitation to run in
the yacht of a friend to the Florida coast,
and we may. perhaps extend our trip to
the Gulf and the Caribbean Sea, visiting
st. Thomas, St. Domingo, Cuba and the
Lesser Antilles. We start this afternoon.
l have written to Ethel informing her of
my acceptance of the invitation. | know
my darling will second my resolution.
| When / receive an answer to my missive
she will insist on my prolonglngmy jour
ney as it may prove beneficial to my
health. just as If I were an invalid who
needed coddling,' and Richard laughed in
II low but in his usually hearty manner.
" This is sudden, your determination 2
l said
Made up On the instant, he answer
ed.
How long will you be absent?' I
|
studies.
"'No, my dear mentor he llayfully
answered. In month 1 will be along
side of the cleverest of you. will cram
to make up for wasted time
" Then the question of absence 2 |
again asked.
Three, four, five, six weeks. can
not tell you. Suppose, "like painted
| shin IN II noIutnl san ~ wa sbpu1l ha
chored for many days? Yachts, for the
most part, are wind propelled crafts, and
in making southings and no things, going
| and returning, we shall have to court Bo-
reas and zephys.'
Il did not think You could keep from
communicating with Miss Merline SO many
weeks, l remarked, playfully.
All, he sighed, that is the hardest
part of it. would she were, as my dear
wife, my companion thither and back. 1t
would then be voyage in paradise. She
would made it paradisiacal anywhere-ln
the breezy north or in the calm south
When do you sail ?" asked.
" Tomorrow, was the quick answer
4 have already packed my wardrobe.
Such things, including those dusty and
distraught treatises on medicine, as / do
not require, l leave, my dear Jervis, in
your friendly keeping. And l want you
to act III another matter as my agent.
The duty will be light. 1t will consist in
inclosing whatever letters Miss Merline
may mail to me in envelopes, and super
scribing them, until you hear further
from me, Jacksonville, Florida"
With pleasure, replied.
"The following morning rode with
Richard johnson from our quarters to
the dock, where boat lay awaiting his
emDarkation. We pressed each others
hands, and the next moment he was out
IN the stream on his way to the yacht-a
clean, trim-looking boat, that was hover
ing IN the offing. 1t was pleasant, sun
ny, out-inviting morning, and remained
near the water until the tiny vessel had
sunk hull and masts far below the hori-
zon.
ION the day succeeding Johnson's de-
parture letter directed to my friend, in
the well known chirography Of the lady l
nave so often referred to, was left at our
rooms by the postman. This ut once
placed i'll a second envelope and remailed |
1t, superscribing it Jacksonville, Fla"
A week later a second letter was put in
my hands from the same source. This | |
also treated as | had the first and for |
warded it to its destination.
81 received no more from Ethel Mer-
line. wondered at this, but it occur
ring to me that it was possible Richard
johnson had written his lady correspond
ent to mail direct to Jacksonville, gave
myself no further thought upon the sub
ject.
"The fourth week of Richards absence |
brought letter from him. 1t was di- |
rected to myself. 1t surprised me when
| opened and perused it. In it he broad. |
ly intmated that had neglected him
wondered why / should do 80, but wind
ing up his reproaches by begging me TO
not longer neglect forwarding him all the