The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-04-22

the situation was awkward-very awk.
ward. 1t would take time to explain
the full exteut of his ridiculous folly.
Then the inspiration flashed upon him
why not carry out the part?
Surely he could play the doctor for
this once. quiet the sick woman and
get out Of preposterous scrape. And
what . story for for the breakfast! Re.
leasing, therefore, the lady's hand.
which he hsd held throughout these
swift eogitauons, hs said In his friend
Il am not Doctor Minor, madame,
but q friend OF his-ahem!-Doctor
Portlock, Doctor Minor is out of town.
He placed his patients in my charge
until he returns tomorrow. Under
standing this to be an urgent ease
have taken the liberty to come in Doc
tor Minors place.
At his first words the lady had drawn
back in surprise. Then she opened
the blinds ef the window and examined
our young scapegrace critically. He
saw she was young. with soft, dark
eyes and a mass of light, fluffy hair;
just the sort Of owner for that hand
and that voice. Her inspection seem
ed to be satisfactory, for she said:
You are very good. II YOU have
DR.. Minors confidence no doubt you
will have my aunt 's-Miss Culpepper' ).
| may tell you that her malady is Of q
nervous character and seems to be OBJ
scure. She is apt to be very cross and
abrupt, and you won't be offended at
anything she says, please. And, oh!
must tell you that she has had three 9TH
er doctors here already this morning
and really talked very impolitely to
them. I'm almost afraid to tell you
she has ordered them all out of the
house, but they say that's q symptom
Of her trouble and are in the library
now, in consultation. Perhaps you
would like to meet them before going
uD.'
Mr.. Portlock shivered at this
thoughtful suggestion. Perhaps
he faltercd. Il had better leave the
case in their hands. The etiquette Of
the profession is very strict on such
occasions. Yes. I'm sure had better
say good morning. and Mr.. Portlock
reached for his hat with undignified
alacrity.
''Oh, pray, don't go!' cried the
young lady, imploringly, I'm. sure
you won let anything of that kind
stand in the way Of my aunt recovery.
Oh, Doctor, don't leave me. You
needn't see the others, I'm sure, and.
indeed, they're quarrelling dreadfully,
that is, l mean my aunt is, with all Of
us, and we don know what to do, !"
and she laid her little hand beseech-
ingly on his arm
Mr.. Portlock laid down his hat. No
he would not leave her just now. This
was certainly lovely creature. As
for the old cat, her aunt, and those
squabbling sawbones-pshaw! 1t was
mere farce, Mr. Portlock took the
young lady's hand with great tender
ness. and said he would look at the
case at once.
The patient reclined or lounge in
q richly furnished room on the second
floor. She half rose when her last
attendant was ushered in and looked
him over sharply with her glittering
little eyes. She was stout little
woman, and her face was full, but
leaden and blotchcd. Her movements
were vigorous, for sick woman, and
she had q truculent and obstinate ex-
preston.
swell, SIR she began, coldly, land
who are you?'
..Dr. Portlock, ma am" DIR. Mi
nor is out of town, and | came in his
place."
That's it, exclaimed the lady,
peevish)y. I'm of so little Importance
that any druggist would volunteer to
treat me if he got chance. You
have taken liberty, young man."
Il will take another--the liberty OF
wishing you good-day,' retorted the
doctor smartly, marching toward the
door.
"Heyday! What's that? Come
back, sir! How dare you leave me be-
fore / tell you TOP | like your impu-
dence, sir, and want you to stay. You
know I am q crusty old woman who
says and does as she pleases. Now
what the matter with me?'
Doctor Portlock drew q chair severe
" beside the lounge and felt Miss Gull
peppers pulse with profoundly pro
fessiOnal air. Then he ordered he
tongue out with sudden ferocity thai
startled the poor woman, Meanwhile
he was looking furtiyely about him
He noted an untouched bowl Of grue
on the table.
Have you . good appetizer" h
asked tentatively.
..Of course / have said the oil,
lady angrily, land that it. I'm raven
Gus, and those other fools say mus
take nothing heating. Heating, in
deed! They tell me meat and wine ar
stimulating, but I'll take no more beef
tea if starve. Why should the ton
knOwP'
Her new physician leaned back in hi
chair, joined his finger-tips delicatel.
across his stomach and contemplated
Miss Culpepper attentively.
Madame" said he solemnly, I'm
amazed at what you tell me. You
bodily health is perfect, except that j
is sporadically affected by the effect o
external impressions on your singular
" acute OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES is all. In
oIC0O Va SCAA.uCuA0A III oAOuAu ~ 0SIAS
rational self-indulgence. Eat an
drink what you choose-in moderation
Go out-walk-amuse yourself; don
read or be alone; play whist for littl
money. just to rouse and rest you afte
exercise. Your ailments are Of
nature that can be reached only b.
secondary agents; and though 20
need constant direction as to treatmen
the laws of it are very simple.
Doctor" cried the old woman, 70
enchant me! Can | have something
now?"
Certainly, said her precious advise
composedly, - tender broiled chicken
nice croquette, . trifie Of salad, pei
haps a cream tart. and q glass-jus
one-of really dry champagne, woul
do nicely"
The old woman rang her hand-be
violently. Catherine, you hear" sh
cried eagerly to the maid, ''cLicker
rice croquettes, salad, bottle {
champagne. Bring the wine now
Doctor, you must drink with me to m
recovery"
Miss Culpepper was at once in gres
/ spirits. and was most affable to he