The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-03-05

cretlv imagined herself to he like her.
She thought nobody could deny now
that the circumstances were very siml-
lar. She signed this letter Elizabeth
Carpenter, in rather large letters.
She greatly wished to write it Miss
Elizabeth Carpenter. but finally dec'd-
ed not, though she found it hard to re-
fuse herself that qualification.
Having successfully accomplished
this precious piece Of work she came
down to dinner, and was rather more
naughty and disagreeable than usual.
The doctor received his answer in the
afternoon and WAS equally delighted and
surprised at HIS prompt success. 1t did
lust occur to him that the handwriting
was rather stir and inelegant, and the
language trifle ardent.
But then he was . very ardent and
enthusiastic young man, and he had
felt all along little afraid that Bessie
did not realize how much he was think.
ing about her. Yet now it appeared
that she had; and she had answered
"yes."
He had no time to think further. for
lie had hardly read the date when he
was suddenly called to attend baby
who had swallowed button and was
choking.
Bv the time this was safely over, Doc
tor Pavne was due ct Mrs. Towards
and off he went, upon the wings of the
wind, expecting that Bessie would GER
tainly meet him in the hall, or at least
contrive to see him alone.
He was really disappointed when he
found the whole family together as usu-
al. Bessie looked up at him as brisk
" AMI frankly Us ever--with wonderful
franlness. he thought. all things
considered. He himself was conscious
of blnshing fearfully. His hair and
complexion were light, and he was sure
that his face was all in a blaze. How
ever. he could not possibly leave her
without saving something for her pri-
va.c ear.
Thank Won Thousand times for your
kind answer" he managed TO say in a
whisper for he observed jack coming
dangerously near. and he was aware
that little pitchers had very long ears.
"What. sir?' said Bessie. looking
straight up at him in the most innocent
way.
Doctor Payne's ardor was perceptibly
auenched: but he was obliged to say
something. =.
For vour kind answer tc my letter, :"
he continued, coming o little nearer.
Letter. said Bessie, beginning to
feel quite uncomfortable. Il have not
seen any letter.
The doctor was completely taken
aback. He did not know what to think.
He stood speechless, staring ut Bessie.
who did not know which way to look.
They might have stood there for ever
but for Jack. "Beth took it" said
he. "Beth said it was her letter! !"
"'Twas mine" said Beth stoutly. My
names Elizabeth, and she was only kis-
sened Bessie"
First the doctor stared-ss il he
hadn't done staring enough already
and then he shouted. No other word
will express it; he fairly shouted with
laughter. He laughed till he could no
longer stand up. and then he sat down
and laughed. He shook, he choked
So undignified a spectacle as Doctor
PAYNE made Of himself is seldom seen
1t was too funny he simply could moi
help himself.
In the intervals between two parox.
ysms of laughter he took tho remarka-
BILE epistle which he had received out
of his pocket, next his heart,
where he had placed it hastily
rs the most precious thing which
he possessed. With q shaking hant
he PASSED it over TO Grandmother How
ard. and then leaned back in his chat
and laughed again IS il Re could moi
stop.
grandmother Howard read it, an'
stared, too. ~ wildly as the doctor hat
done. Then she, too, began to laugh
She was every bit rs bad as the doctor
She laughed till the tears ran down.
All this time Bessie was completed
in the dark. She considered the doc
tors behaviour unaccOuntable, and wa
much inclined to be offended. Sh
perceived that those dreadful childre
had been dong something really hol
rid but she could not make out what
was. However, she was prepared fo
anything on their part.
At length Grandmamma Howard r.
covered herself sufficiently to put th
: letter into Bessieis lap, and to sweep q
the children before her out of the room
with . gentle imperative way she he
! which not even these young rebe
. could resist. =.
3 She left Doctor Payne to explain Il
J matter and appcase Bessie's displeasur
And it is to be hoped that he succeeds
4 since renewed shouts Of laughter we
soon heard issuing from the room,
+, which Bessie's voice was clearly to
distinguished.
Doctor Payne was married to Bess
|. the next winter, but he made it matt