Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-12
PART IL.

The summer was long and hot. Or.
Walter found it WAS as much as he could
do to GET every days work well done in
the heat and lack of energy which was
the result of it. Two or three difficult
cases which be could not leave to any
orc else kept him in town long after the
time when he had hoped TO get away.
He grew very tired and there WAS, 1t
seemed TO him for the first time, lone
illness and emptiness IN his life. lie
grew to hate the evenings which he
spent, chiefly sitting thinking In his
room. in the long summer twilight,
which is often, VIXEN spent in solitude,
far more depressing than the gloomiest
day in winter; and when at last,
late in August, he found HIM
self able to get away, and obliged to de-
eide definitely where to so, he thought
he would claim a long standing invita-
ton given him by some cousins to come
10 them when he could, and for as long
as he liked. He went down to their
home in Wiltshire on Saturday evening,
and got out OF the train ut the pretty
little country station, wondering whether
any one would meet him and how he
should get his luggage taken from the
station to his cousins house, which was,
as far as he remen bsred, about three
miles away. he had not more than an
instant to wait in uncertainty. Two
girls at whom be had looked as the tram
came in, but without recognizing them,
came quickly up to him.
"Couan Tom, this is You, suppose.
IL is so long since we met, you know,
YOU must forgive me for having forget
ten vou-FrAnk is outside with the car
riage. We came in to find you, as he
could not leave the horse. This Is Kitty,
as you will have guessed
DR.. Walter turned from his elder
cousin, in whose bright face he began to
recognize the same he had known as
much rounder and more ohIldishly
pretty. to the younger and shorter OF
the two, who Was a curious contrast TO
her sister. She was daik, very dark,
with bright, really black eyes, which
seemed the centre OF the rather CO.
ouettish expression OF her whole face.
DR.. Walter took the hand she gave him,
saying smilinsly: Yes, J should have
guessed, that's just it. | shouldn't have
known. you are beth so altered.
"Of course, Tom," said Madge
Carlton. laughing. "Why, I'm rapidly
becoming an old woman. These years
haven't altered you somuch as | thought
at first, though. Is that your portmdh-
teat? VII you make the man bring 1t
to the carriage? Frank will be wonder
ing where we are. Oh, thank you as
he picked up a red sunshsde which fell
suddenly-" that's hitty's. You careless
girl, you will lose your belongings some
day"
Every likely" said Kitty noncha-
lantly. As she took the sunshade from
Or. Walter and thanked hun. as 1t
seemed to him, q little carelessly.
They found their brother outside.
There was no renewal of acquaintance
10 he made between him and his cousin,
for Frank Carlton was III London at
rather frequent intervals and rarely
failed TO do what he called look up
Dr. Walter. Half an hours drive
brought them to the pretty, old, red
brick house, covered on one side with
roses: white roses which Powered nearly
all the summer. Inside the rooms
looked cool. hot though the aft, moon
had been-really rooms to rest IN Dr.
Walter found them, not dusty and full
Of concentrated hot air ike those he
had gladly lett to his housekeeper's care
that morning. And II was evident that
his cousins meant that he should rest
and enjoy himself.
Over the tea, which was carried ont
into the garden, Madge Carlton suggested
many plans for the neat week, which met
with ready assent from her brother and
Kitty. The three had lost their father
and mother very early, and the two glrls
had lived with their brother ever since
they had grown up. The next day was
Sunday. and in the evening they all
strolled across the fields TO tiny village
church. They had not gone far on their
way back when they found that Kitty
was not, in her usual fashion, slowly
coming behind them, making fun Of the
odds aud ends OF conversation she could
catch. Msdge wanted to go back and
look for her, but Frank saying, with an
irritated tone in his voice, "She'l turn
up, and escorted all right, don't be
afraid, made them come.