The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1886-08-28

"Of course / believe you" he replied |
readily. mo doubt, II you are inter-
nstcd In these things, reading and cx-
pcricncc have made you able to man
nge simple cases of measles or rhcu- |
matism. A lady like yourself must be
q blessing to her ncighborhood.'
"Iwish my sister and brother thought
rs you do" said Edith, sorrowfully. |
"Thcy would like me to sit at home
with my work. and only go out in search
of amusement. They find great fault
with me. They dislike my tastes"
"Are YOU district visitorp" inquired
the other doctor.
mo" returned Edith. 'They would
mind less II ! were any thing as ortbo-
dox. But / weary you-and here we
part. Straight on Is you way to Ner-
ingdon. Through this turnstile is my
short cut to the Hail."
She had meant to pass through the
gate. and. from that underground, to
she hal resolved to say. "Thank you
for all your hints, but j. too. am n doc
tori" But her misciievous design was
frustrated.
~ am going to Vcringdon Hall my
self" said the stranger. II went to
Dormer Court to see my old friend,
Adrian, and they told me he was mar
ried and living here"
"Indeed" said DR.. Edith, with some
inward perturbation. ''Pray let me
make you welcome. / am Mrs. Dor
mer's sister,"
After this she made no further at
tempts to mystify her companion. He
informed her that he was Adrains old
school-fellow, Guy Auckland, and that
he had been in India for eight years;
and she questioned him upon Indian
climate. and Indian scenery. and Indian
life, studiously avoiding all subjects
which referred to their joint profession.
He had begun to think her eccentric,
but now lie forgot that she was any
thing but handsome and clever. He
found her delightful, and was almost
sorry when the walk ended. Adrain
welcomed his old friend joyfully. But
when he heard in what way Auckland
had made the acquaintance of his sister
blank fell upon the little party. Then
Auckland remembered Edith's sad COM
plants, and he felt sorry for her, and
began to think it was pity that such Il
fine woman should be unmarried. But
neither Carissa nor her husband di-
vulgcd the secret of Edith's profession,
and even when the two young men were
left alone after dinner, Adrian confined
himself TO relating the story of his own
mari iage, and of the way in which his
wife and her sister had become the CO.
heiresses of Vcringdon.
"Miss Verincdon seems charming"
observed Auckland. Whercupon, Adrian
somewhat abruptly proposed that they
should join the ladies'.
When Auckland entered the drawing
room, Edith was sitting at the open
window, looking pcnsively out into the
fragrant night, and Auckland thought
that she did not look ut all like Il person
who hankcred after woman's rights.
She was less severely attrcd than she
had been in the afternoon. Her dress
was open at the neck, and u pearl neck
lace rested on her fair throat She wore
diamond bracelets, and there was n
flower in her bosom. Auckland had
thought she looked well ut dinner.
Now, in the dim twilight, he thought
her fascinating.
He went and stood opposite to her.
looking down at her shining hair and
intellectual countenance. Clarissa had
gone upstairs to see her baby, and
Adrian had stolen after her. The two
doctors were alone.
You seem to have lovely place
here. NJ IS Vcringdon," remarked Auck.
land.
"Yes, it is very fine o,d place." she
assentcd. "And it was very unfore.
seen accident which gave it to my sister
and me. 1t seemed impossible that two
lives, under fifty, shouldpass away. and
! leave us in possession. But SO it was
| 1t is rather sad"
Were YOU fond of your rclations?''
asked Auckland, with sympathetic C inter
| est.
mot in the least. / never saw thu
son, and the father but once. But thcil
deaths have spoilt my life"
"How!"
''I have been obliged to alter all my
purposes. 1t is right that should liv'
here and be idle, but it is great disap
pointment to me that my education ant
training should have led to such small
results. deceived you this afternoon
| III. AucNEtH', Iiot ioi uihiSChicit
But perhaps Adrian has told you abou
mep"
mo. He has told me nothing, Mis-
Veringdon."
"Ah! DIR. Auckland, have anothe
title"
Guy Auckland experienced suddel
sensation of jealous alarm. The posi-
bility of only one other title presented
itself to him. Was she q MARI cd wo
man, with husband in an asylum
He felt uncasily depressed.
"What was thatp" he asked.
''Dr. Auckland" she answered, @
am qualified to call myself-Dr. Vering
don"
1t was great shock to him, and
was with difficulty that he contrived t.
gulph down his wrath and disgust
When he spoke agan his tone wa
p.qucd and somewhat sarcastic.
~ congratulate you," he said. Blu
he could not yet bring himself to cal
her DR.. Ver.ngdon.
"Thank you," she replied. 81 ough
to apologize for so wantonly trickini
you this afternoon. l had no idea thel
that our acquaintance was likely to eX
tend beyond short walk"
He was silent. He was trying to re
member if she had told him IN untruth
But he could not bring this accusation
against her. She had fenced with him
but she had told no falsehood. More
over. she was perfectly feminine an
lady-like. The revelation that she ha
| 4. Ia, I'll g.