Nevada County picayune., 1886-10-27
FICKLENESS CURED.

The radiantly covered leaves of the October morning were drifting down on the walk; the distant woods were glowing like giant kaleidoscope, apd the sweet, pine scented air was blue with the in- tense blueness of an American Autumn, as Dr. Dulany sumter ed down the village street.
 My lines have fallen in very pleasant places,' said he to him. self. "When Dr. Holen asked me to come here and take charge of his practice three months while he went to Europe, I had no idea that l was stepping into an earthly par adise like this, and"
 But at this moment tall, square-shouldered young man stopped directly in front of him, holding out welcoming hand.
 "Now cried he, "surely my senses can't be playing me false! It is Frank Dulany! And what in the name of all the heather gods has brought you herew
 Dulany laughed.
 II knew you lived somewhere in this vicinity.n said he. II am here in charge of old Holden's pa tients for three months, before l go South for the rest of my life. Tell me something about Moss bridge and the Mossbridgians."
 Mir Kirke linked his arm in that of his friend, and together they walked down toward the little hos. pital on the shore of the river, where incurable diseases, gratis patients and outdoor relief were Jumped together, as they often are in country towns, and as they talked with the careless abandon of college friends.
 But you haven't told me any thing about the ladies'" said Dula- ny, carelessly.
 'rm coming to that" said Kirke. I've have a dozen pretty girls at the very least, but only one beauty. And tell you what, Dulany, you had better beware of Geralda Granger9"
 And whyW Dulany asked.
 Because" Kirke laughingly made answer, "she is merclless beauty-a slaughterer of human hearts-in fine, irst-class CO., quette."
 And you think I shall become one of her victims?" said Dr. Dulany.
 "Think?n echoed Kirke; "I don't think at all. I'm quite sure of it"
 And how have you escaped the common doom of mankind2" asked Dulany.
 I haven't" Kirke answered, with a comical grimance. "My scalp hangs at her belt with hun dred others. She refused me year ago. She don't mean to mar. " in Mossbridge. She has an lnounced her determination to be- come the bride of some city mil. lionaire, and 1 think she'll do it, too-for, by George! she's hand some enough to be crown princess. i"
 Mir. Dulany thought oyer all these things afterward, when he was by himself in his little office.
 sI don't mean to become the prey of this rural Cleopatra," he said to himself; "and l rather think that my obscurity IS my security"
 
 '"The young doctor who has taken old Uolden's practice, ehF said Miss Granger, little disdain- fully. He is to be at Miss Mlx's tonight, is he! Very we'll shall very soon dispose of him" Geralda Granger was tall, i'm perial beauty, with dark, long, dashed eyes, a complexion like cream and.roses, and soft, Ian guid yolce; and at Miss Mix's so, cial gathering that night as lovely as dream of Circassia. But to her infinite dismay and amazement, Dr. Dulany took no more no tice of her than he did Of Mrs. Percy, who wore wig and blue spectacles. He Was coolly po' lte-that was all; and Miss Gran ger did not know what to make of him.
 uRnt he's rather handsome,"