The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-01-19
T'ElT DOCTORS PERIL.

TE1T DOCTORS PERIL.
"What can detain him ?" For the
hundreth time Alice Stanley asked the
question as she looked anxiously from the
window. The black February day prom
ised to be succeeded by fitting nigh. The
sky was overcast and the wind blew in fit.
ful gusts. Down in the village few lights
began to glow in the gray gloom. With
little shiver, Alice dropped the curtain.
l hope John won't be called out to-
night. We haven't him a single evening
for our own, have we, baby?" bending
over the cradle.
Baby opened his eyes and cooed, ex.
tending his dimpled hands, and Alice
bent to lift him inst as she heard a step
which set her heart beating, as IN the
days when John Stanley was Alice Dun.
bars lover. He burst into the room with
a cheerishness and ease engendered by
the comforting conviction that in his own
castle he could shake off the subdued
professional manner which was some.
times little CALLING
Well, Alice, why don't you scold me
for keeping you waiting?" kissing
into the easy chair.
"You have kept us very long. John,
but we have consoled ourselves bv think
ing we shall have you all the evening"
Ihope so,"-heartlly. Its going to
be very bad night, and it can't be any
one will be ill-natured enough to send for
the doctor. 1t is hard, birdie, to have so
lonesome al eyric for you When / re-
member how coaxed you from your un-
cle's to this Western howell"
. Alice had been putting supper upon
the table, but at this she dropped the
dishes and flew at him.
"You bad, wicked boy" she said, shak-
ing him and covering his face with kisses,
" if you utter such treason again / shall
punish you dreadfully. Oh, John, when
| think of the old days at my uncle's,
when my heart was chilled by coldness
and neglect, / am wicked enough to thank
God because my uncle betrayed his trust
and fled; for but for that you never
would have told me you loved me. John,
dear, when / think of my happiness as
your wife, l almost tremble lest some
thing come to mar it,"
"Forgive me, Alice, but it was for your
sake | regretted the loss of the luxUries
you must miss"
" AS if ever had any luxury that COM
pared to precious, sweet boy" snatching
him away and ending the discussion.
Supper over, DR.. Stanley ensconced
himself in the great crimson armchair
and enthroned his son upon his knee,
while Alice dropped the red curtains af-
ter one shivering glance at the bleak
night, then, bringing her sewing, prepared
to hear all the doctor had gathered in
his days tour around the three villages,
A great sigh of content welled from DR..
Stanley's heart as he contemplated the
cosy room, his wife's fair face, and the
smiling little one on his knee. No
crowned king ever enjoyed greater happi-
ness than is compassed by these four
walls" he thought.
He was deep in a funny story when a
sharp knock checked the laugh on Alice's
lips, and her eyes grew anxious as the
little maid entered with the always
dreaded yellow "1velope. DR.. Stanley
tore it open ard re ID:
"Come at once. Bad smash-up.
"DENIsoN."
He placed the boy in the cradle, and
quietly began his preparations. Alice
was silent; she knew it was useless to
attempt to dissuade her husband from
doing what be deemed his duty, nor was
she woman to do it, yet there was a sharp
pain at her heart which impelled her to
say as he tenderly kissed the child: "It
will be dreadful going to Lorimer to-
night, John"
"Oh, can stand it. will be back as
soon as possible. And now, good-by,
Alice"
As he flung open the door, violent
gust of wind blew the snow into their
faces.
"Oh, John," cried his wife, in uncon-
trollable agitation, "Don't go! feel as
though something terrible were menacing
you. / cannot let you 60, cannot !"
"Alice," he said, almost sternly,"
never knew you to give way to this non
sense before Would you not despse me
were selishly to consult my own ease
when these poor unfortunates need my
aid !" Go in, that's good girl; moth
ing is wrong but your nerves."
A hurried embrace and he was gone.
Alice barred the door and returned to
the sitting-room, summoning her hand
maiden for company. but Patty's pres
ence proved small comfort, for after the
most commendable endeavors to appear
wide awake, she tumbled ignominiously
upon the floor.
"Never mind, Patty, it is near IL
time we were all asleep"
DR.. Stanley walked rapidly down to
the village, quickening bis step to run
as he heard . train whistle. "That must
be the 1915" he said. He reached the
station, painting, just as the cars dashed
passed him.
"Boand for Lorimer, Doc }" said the
station agent, with laugh. "You're
pretty badly left"
$50 it seems" painted the doctor,
"and there's not another tonight. Dc
yon know anything Of the accident
theref" see
"No. Has there been an accident r
the laugh dying ont. It's too bad you
are left" M
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