The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-10-10
EDO YOU couph2n

''Do you cough9"
mo. but l have all the other symp-
toms, and l am SO languid and have no
appetite; don't know what can make
me So"
''Have you had advice9" asked Mrs.
Fargo, anxiously.
"Why, no. You know l have all the
doctors books and his prescriptions and
formulas, and and everything. l don't
need to consult anybody"
"But, my dear child, you are surely
not trying to treat yourself in so grave a
case, thing the wisest and most skill
full physicians never attempt You'll
poison yourself, that's what you'll do"
Mrs. Pullyn looked at her with mil dly
plying superiority.
Nobody could possibly know more
about it than he did," she said, "and
nobody could understand my constitu-
ton so well. If the medicines he pre-
scribed do no good, nothing could do
good"
Greatly, you ought to have been born
in India, SAID Ella.
Amelia turned her large languid eyes
toward the speaker, and her resigned
smile provoked Ella to go on.
~ think the Indian plan much better
than yours. l should greatly prefer
being burned at once to slowly sacrificing
myself by swallowing my husband s
medicines"
At this moment lovely little girl
bounded into the room, and ran to en-
brace her mother. Mrs. Pullyn kissed
her with eifusion, then took her upon her
lap, and, looking over her brown curly
head at Mrs. Talbot, said gently
" You can't suppose want to die2"
"Why, certainly not, " responded Mrs.
Fargo, again taking up the word "and
we don't intend to let you, either. SO to
prevent it shall just take you in hand
myself. Come here, Pet" holding out
her hands to the little girl, leone tell
grandma YOU pity name, sweet"
eco to the lady, Giacie," said her
mother, ego kiss the lady"
Oracle went shyly, holding on to her
mothers hand, and only staying long
enough to plant hasty kiss on Mrs.
Fargo's chin, then ran back to her refuge
in her mothers lap.
eyes, indeed" resumed Mrs. Fargo.
81 shall just take you in hand myself
Your mother and were schoolmates and
l was always very fond of her, which
gives me sort of right over her daugh-
ter. You shall come down to the city
with me next week My own house is
all in disarray with the painters and pa
perers, but we will stop with my sister,
and you shall see physician"
Amelia did not reply, save by her mel
ancholy smile. She seemed to be reflect
ing, however, and presently she said
Are you going to the city next
week2"
eyes, for few days. l want to see
what the people are doing in my house,
and get measured for dress or two be-
fore my dressmaker is crowded. Won't
you come with mc9"
81 have been thinking of going down.
/ have tooth that troubles me ought
to have it attended to, | suppose
eyes, indeed, you can never be too
prompt about matter of that kind"
"Really, don't know, my health is so
uncertain" objected the widow. But
Mrs. Fargo was not to be put off.
81 shall come for you" she said, as
she kissed her good-by at the front door,
"and mind you're ready. Oracle will
come, too"
sob. yes, if go" sighed the widow
81 never leave Oracle behind"
So, down to the city came Mr.. Fargo
and Mrs. Pullyn, an amiable dragUness
flying peaceably away with her victim by
steam train.
Mrs. Trims house stood in quiet up
town street, across which the tall trees
met in friendly conference. Mrs. Trim
met them in the hall, an elderly woman
whose once blonde hair had faded to a
yellowish white, and whose corpulency
bordered upon the miraculous. She
kissed Amelia affectionately, though she
had never seen her before. and leading
her into the parlor left her there while
she withdrew to the sitting-room with
her sister.
"You have been very prompt" she
said, seating herself in her own especial
ly wide-armed chair. 81 was surprised
to find you had one already on hand, as
it were"
81 had never thought about her until
your letter came" returned Mrs. Fargo,
"and l don't know now whether it will
amount to anything. They are both so
dull, it seems like trying to strike fire
with two wet sticks"
Meantime in the parlor, Amelia had
taken off Gracie's hat, and was hold
ing the half sleeping child upon her
lap, and looking abstractedly out
through the blinds into the quiet
street. 1t was characteristic of Mrs. Far
go that she had not mentioned his sisters
name, and Amelia was wondering in her
own mind how she should address her
hostess upon their next meeting, when a
gentleman entered by door at the end
of the room, and came directly toward
the sofa near which she sat. He was a tall,
fair man, with little professional stoop
in the shoulders. DR.. Albert Trim, in
fact, coming, according to his habit, to
rest few moments before dinner in the
shaded parlor.
He was close upon Amelia before he
saw her and she, slowly rising, and let
ting Oracle slip to the floor, confronted