Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1883-11-23

/ nothing, 10 any of lis friends, but his health
gradually broke down, aud from being q. ro-
l b ist, active man, he became in the course Of a
year an invalid A second attack OF paralysis
was the immediate cause OF Mr. Maitland's last
j visit and no Ona knew better than the patient
/ that his days were numbered.
! "Ah. well ~ he used sometimes to say, 81
dou't want to live and several people want me
to die-the majority ought to have their wish. !"
| However, when Mr. Fletcher found himself
| at Nice, with its charming surroundings and
! delightful climate, he almost began to have
! regrets that he must 30 soon bid farewell to
existence.
81 wish, Maitland, had come here sooner, ="
| he said one day. 'Why didn't you order me
| here long ago?" ~,
1T wouldnt have done you any good, and I
thought you preferred England"
$50 do to live in; bus this ID the sort Of
place to die i'm
Maitland made no attempt to turn his
thoughts; his patient always resented it If he
| did.
II hope you are having pleasant time here
as WELL" continued MIR. Fletcher: 81 don't
want to monopolizs YOU, you know"
''Thanks; think I've shown you l can
| leave you alone occasionally"
! 81 didn't know you had friends here Who
are those people saw you talking to this morn
! ing in the garuep?'
1.-THE Kestertons; only know them slightly. !"
| sH-m! couahed Mr.. Fletcher. II should
| have thought you knew one of them rather
! we'll. She's plea.ant-looking girl"
| Maitland tried bis best to look unconscious,
| and 1lattered himself he succeeded.
'Oh, | know the one you Eleau," he said,
| "byit She isn't one Of the kestertons; she's a
| Miss T ,etcher."
':same name az n,ines Well, Fletchers are
! common enough"
| "Yos, but not such Fletchers as she," re-
marked Maitland.
| The old gentleman did not reply; his
! fri II o6
| times. Maitland was careful not to disturb
| him: he had noticed lately that his reveric5
had become more frequent, and that they
| seemed to soften the acerbity Of his nature.
often came to watch the passers-by; it seemed
| to please the invalid to see the say life Of
! which no could no longer be partaker
The young doctor was still sitting silently
when he was Interrupted with: bring nor
her; want 10 speak TO her."
He looked up and saw the young lady Of
whom they had been speaking approaching
them By her side ran q little girl saven or
eight years Old
''DO you wish to know herr" asked Matt
land.
''Yes: why should you be afraid of me? I'm
not likely 10 be rival"
Maitland felt this was hon1e-thrust; the
old mans eyes were keeu enough yet He
| went forward to meet Hiss Fletcher, closely
| watched by his patient
w. /
patient Of mine. Oddly enough he has the
same name you. You will do him and me
kindness If you will talk to him a few min
utes.'
s'Wih pleasure, sir" replied Amy, adding
in 4 half whisper: $50 it is q Kindness to you
for me to talk to some one else, is it?'
sit down here, my DEAR" said the invalid,
after few minutes general talk 'Aatland,
will you take little missy to see that wonderful
cactus at the end of the terrace? I want to
talk to MISS Fletcher Nttle.'
Maitland obeyed, glad to find that he had
Interested his patient in a now direction He
took little Cissvs hand and marched her off
toward the cactus, though she seemed scarcely
to like leaving Miss Fletcher.
She soon began talking about her, and found
that her companion was an appreclatlve lis
tener. Not only that, but he asked questions
about her, most unjustifable proceeding. of
course; but he salyed his conscience by argu-
ing that nothing Cissy could say would alter
his opinion OF her governness. and it was very
pleasant to hear her praises sounded by dis
Interested observer.
AT the end of quarter Of all hour they re-
turned to the seat Amy rose as they ap-
preached.
':Maitland," said Mr.. Fletcher 81 am going
TO stay out here for another hour or SO; you
had better accompany this young lady home
You will find me here when you return"
Maitland did not make any very leng;hened
protest.
slow do you like my old friend:'' he asked
when they quite cut of bearing.
Il think he is delightfully."- was Amy's reply.
'What did you talk about?"
"All sorts of things. He asked me lot of
questions how old I was-tbat was very rude,
wasn't it?-and about INV father and mother,
and how it was lived with the kestertons."
And what did you say?"
II told him that yen could tell him more
about me than I could myself. He seemed
rather surprised. should not wonder if you
came ia for q cross examination this evening"
'tDid he ask you to come and talk to him
again?'
Isuppose because ne liked your society,""
| replied Maitland, wilfully misintsrpreting her
question. ''Be sure you come to the terrace
| at the same time tomorrow.
'sYes. will make a point Of 1t, so you can
| consider yourself relieved
Il may be relieved, but don't intend to be
| dismissed again." replied Maitland, with a
laugh. II suppose l have no excuse good
enough for coming in?" his added, as they
tevtons.
'T must leave you to settle that question:"
tI have no excuse at al, but I'm coming in
| all the same if you will let me-
! st isn't nv house." replied Amy.
| '"rhat is a very ungracious invitation"
| said Maitland as he accompanied her into the
| hall
| When Maitland, half an hour later, returned
! to his patant, he found him talking with man
! who was sitting newt him. "He is making &C
quaintance to-day" thought the young doctor.
| As no approached, however, be saw that the
! supposed stranger WAS Mr. Fletchers nephew,
! Fred Dexter
'Ah! Maitland" was his greeting, ''here I
! am Won see."
Yes" put in the old gentleman, whose
nature his nephew always acted as an irri-
| tant; " where the CARCASS is,' you know, Matt
| land
"Oh. come uncle you're not a carcass yet"
protested Dexter you might have blamed me
| with more reason if I'd waited till you were one
| before came to see you
"Hs' seems to be under the impression that
shall be abie to blame him after I'm dead,'
| remarked Mr. Fletcher, sarcasticasly, to Matt
| land.
ooh, come. uncle, I don't see Why you
| should always put the worst Interpretation on
! all say"
! ''It won't bear any other" pettishly replied
! the old mau. ''Wllo told you was here?"
! "Maitand l wrote and asked him about
you"
| 'Do You mind letting me see that letter."
| Maitland here inrerposed and said he be-
| lieyed he had not kept it:
fThat's pity" said Dexter. IT should like
| to haye shown it you that you might sec what
| my letters about you are like
| 'Let Us go ill.," said Mr. Fletcher: I'm
getting tired You will dine with rs to- night? ~
| sMany thanks, uncle, but pva promised to see
| some people tonight"
''Who?" <ss-Sssssat
seThey are called Kesterton."
! ssDo you know them?" inquired Maitland
| rather anxiously.
| "Oh, yes; very we'll Do you?" ;aassy#
s'Slightly."
''There's very nice girl in the house-a
| - TT of companion, or governess She's called
! s3ooletcher; same name as uncles. Odd coinci-
= ence, isn't its" ....
sCome!" said Mr. Fletcher, peremptoriy.
| After dinner, instead of trying to get his
usually nap, Mr. Fletcher sat IN his easy chair.