Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-09-12
The Doctors Ward.

MdllJ hltoiO' ~ NAN"iJ NAAN'
pushing back his chair and staring
at his sister in amazement. what
in theworld should any one want to
marry Kitsie forP
For multitude of reasons Miss
Dora replied, with a pleasant little
laugh. you seem to forget Jack,
that she's not child any longer,
and that half the eligible young
men in Ballycoyle are in love with
her already
That not sayingmuch,' the doc
tor replied, grimly. "lhere are
only three men in the place that
can afford to keep a wife; but what
you say about CAPTAIN Challoner,
fairly amazes me. Why-why, he's
very near as old as l am ?
Even so, Jack; you're not quite
a patriarch yet, you know. Just
think for one emoment-what brings
the captain here day after day and
evening after evening?
well, then, to tell you the truth,
Dolly. rather fattered myself that
he came to see me- the doctor re-
piled, looking gravely at his sister.
1 did, upon my conscience?
Then you're a conceited old
goose, that's all l can say,' Miss
Dora replied, laughing heartily at
her brothers evident amazement.
Frank Challoner come to see Kit
sie.'
Then he shan't see her any more
the doctor cried, ringing the bell
'Here, Bridget, where's Miss
KitsieY he roared, as an elderly
woman put her head in the door,
holding the handle in her apron.
'Where would she be, sir, but
upstairs-fxin' herself for tay ?
Bridget replied, in an aggrieved
tone. She did not like being sum-
moned from the kitchen for such a
trife.
Then 60 upstairs this moment,
and tell her she's not to come down
to night. No, wait a secOnd-pll
go myself. Or you 60, Dora
'Bless an save us, miss, the mas
ther is taking lave of his sinses ?
Bridget exclaimed, still clinging to
the door-handle; and at that mo-
ment Kitsie came tripping down
stairs singing gayly:
"Oh ! there's nothing half so sweet in
life
As Loves young dream !"
'What do you know about loves
young dream, miss? the doctor
said, as she entered the room.
Nothing at all, Uncle Jack, but
what the song says Kitsie replied,
looking at him curiously with a
pair of the bluest eyes, sb ID by
the longest and most defah, lack,
,urlylashes. Nothing in the world
yet; but, sure, l may be wiser some
day.
Hum the doctor growled, throw
ng a triumphant glance at his Sis
Ill take care you learn none of
hat nonsense yet a while
'Miss Kltsie, jewel, will ye come
lere one minute ? Bridget called
rom the kitchen; and when they
we're alone Miss Dora stood by her
Jrother's chair and looked at him
sadly.
Il am sorry, Jack, that l said any
hing about Captain Challoner; but
low that we've broached the sub
ect, we may as we'll look it fairly
n the face. There is no doubt,
whatever, but he admires Kitsie-
who could help that mo doubt,
sither, it would be fine thing for
the child if he married her. He is
rich, and a thorough gentleman
though not so young as [ could
wish, perhaps. If anything hap
pened to you tomorrow, what would
become of Kitsie? While l had a
crust she would share it, of cOnrse,
and Bridget would work her fingers
TO the bones for her, but it would
be a poor prospect for a bright,
merry, lovely young thing to be
shut in solitude and poverty with
two heart-broken old women. Life
1T best is uncertain, Jack, and a
Doctors more so than many peO-
ple's, going as you do, in the way
Of illness every day. Wouldn't it
be a comfort to you to know that
Kitsie was we'll provided for and
lsppyF L1
The doctor sat for fully five min
ntes, gnawing his mustache some
what savagely; then he took two
Or three turns up and down the
iining-room, and stood looking out