The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-05-20

residence | never knew. or, indeed,
cared Just then | was ushered In,
and saw her, the most prominent
feature in her face, so far as could
remember lust then being her hose,
which was very red at the point;
but that. az YOU know, can be caus-
ed by indigestion. ! fumeled in my
pockets for my ink pen and tired to
write prescription; but my hand
was so unsteady that | exclaimed in
a rage with myself: 'Tipsy by Jover
and staggered out of the room, and
out into the streets as best | could
suppose the recollection of this
most painful incident affected the
pater so much that he had to have
recourse to his medicine again
Splendid physic forthe gout, he
chueles, smacking his lips with gus
to +: .'let me see-where was I? Oh !
gone as usual and awfully enraged
with myself. Well, the oldest thing
about the affsir vas t5atn next morn
ing I was sent for by the duchess,
who, thinking my remark applied
to her-see how guilty conscience
makes towards of Us all-begged
that | would keep her little weak
ness locked up in my own breast, ap-
pointed me her physician, intro6uc-
ed me to aristoeratic patients, and |
became prosperous and wealthy
that's what | call slice of luck.
You must look out for something
similar, lad not that my duchess is
10 be met with every day.
My fathers story made little or no
impression on me at ting time for |
was in love With a Beautiful un-
known-one of the sweetest of Ewes
daughters, whose face haunted me
night and day. What cared | for a
duchess given to alcohol, when a
girl, lovely as a houri, might be
waiting for me at old Scales's, the
chemist, in the Strand?
I ike to be precise in everything,
even to paying my laundress bill,
which lately had been very heavy
item in my weekly disbursements of
cash.
Love, if it feeds on air, on dreams,
poetry, and SO forth, cannot pay bills
out of nothing.
Oh, dear no. Substantial coin of I
the realm IS required By lover, just /
as much as hy the most prosaie of
persons inhabiting this sublunsry /
sphere OF ours.
/ met my fair euslaver on this
wise. | was in old Scales's on some I
trifling business, when there came a
tramp of feet, and two men led in a
beautiful girl, whose face bore traces
of great pain.
| learnt that she had slipped on a
piece of orange peel, and had put her
ankle out.
In moment l offered her my
professional aid it was accepted, and
| fiatter myself that no experienced |
could have assuaged her
pain more efectually or quicker
than | did.
just as | had finished, and made
her nice and comfortable, in stalked
her father-a military looking man,
fierce of mien as the grand Turk
with long, pointed, grizzled
mustachios. and an eye that pierced
you through, as if it were gimlet-
The accident was explained t. him /
in few words by Scales. who, how
ever said nothing about the share 1
had taken in the matter.
Throwing down a sovereign on the I
counter, her father, disdaining nv
protierrsd assistance, carried her to
bis carriage, and she was driven
away, thanking me only with ewes
that swan in liquid light, and a
sweet smile, that set my heart thump-
ing against my ribs, as if they were
having a regular pugilistic set to.
WHO is she, Scales p / asked
eagerly.
Don't know, dear boy-a swell,
evidently. | owe you half SOW;
will pay you when ! get change
What need was there to mention
such sordid thing as money to me,
when love was blazing in my bos-
om ?-love at first sight, the real,
genuine article itself. and no coun-
.erfeit.
would have been glad of that
half SOW. many subsequent day
ior my father died, and left me al
most penniless, and | had little or
10 practice.
One evening I was sitting in my
study, thinking of my charmer, when
| carriage rolled up to the door. and
| regular rat-tat-tat came thereto
such one as must have woke the
nf TIE whole street.
a lady to see you, sir, said Jane
shall | show her in here ?"
Certainly not; but into the draw
ng room" | replied somewhat
sharply, as | slipped off my some
what dilapidated dressing gown,
whipped on a respectable looking
coat, brushed my hair of my fore
nead-a very intellectual one l
thought it myself, at all events there
vas plenty of it-and, assuming a
professional mien and gait, entered [
he visitors presence.
Could my eyes deceive mel Yes,
40 i; it was, it wasn't. 1t must be
will-o-the- -wisp / had been
for many a weary mcnth.
"Mr. Marmaduke, | believe" she
aid sweetly.
AT your service, madam | re-
turned, in tone that faltered with
emotion, born of nv great love for
her whom had only seen twice in
nv life.
Il owe you my very best thanks"
.he said. beaming on me from out Of
hose lovely eyes. "The chemist in /
he Strand gave me your name and
address ); We have only Just returned
rom abroad. l have never forgot
Ten how kind you were to me-a per
fect stranger"
"Nor has your face ever been alb