Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-09-26
A DOCTORS STORY.

Day by day the aspect of the place i'm,
proved. Soft muslin shades shrouded the
windows; flowers bloomed where only
weeds had grown; the garden paths were
laid with gravel One night a travelling
carriage was driven rapidly through the
village and in at the gate leading TO Croft
house.
Whence came the vehicle? Who it's oc.
cupant? No one knew, but everyone de
sired to know. Nothing that took place
within that dwelling transpired outside.
In passing by one saw only that the stand,
ard roses flourished and that the grass
grew greener. What comments were
made on the mysterious and invisible in
habitants: What strange tales circulated.
[, the village doctor, concerned myself
little enough about the matter. The Occu-
pants of Croft house were no doubt human
beings, and as such must suffer some of
the ills that flesh was heir to; in that case
my services would be required. l waited
patiently.
A week went by, and one morning, be-
fore set off on my rounds, a messenger
arrived requesting me to call on Mr.. VIII
ton, of Croft house. Dressing myself
with more than ordinary care, l crossed
the village green. was young, and felt
important.
was shown into the drawing groom 1t
was gay with summer flowers, redolent of
their perfume. On couch lay a young
girl, in appearance almost a child She
was pale, delicate-loOking, and very love
~. In front of her knelt young man of
two OF three and twenty-One of the hand
soonest young fellows / had ever seen. He
held the hands of the beautiful girl, and
they were looking into each others eyes,
As | approached he rose, bowed, and well
coined me with an easy grace that won my
heart.
81 confess [ expected TO find the village
doctor an older man." he said, with a
frank smile as he offered me his hand
at is for my wife / desired your attend
ance" ne continued, looking at her with
the deepest affection, Una is not strong"
Then at a sign from him, | sat down be-
side the couch of my interesting patient.
You are very young, Mrs. Wilson," I
remarked. 1t was certainly rather lead
ing question.
Il am IL, DOCTOR" she answered simply.
'We have been married only few months.
We are strangers here, and wish to be so.
Oh, Charlie, please explain" she asked,
turning to her husband with a faint blush.
"You can do it far better than II
He bent over her, kissed her on the
forehead, then Strengthening himself and
looking at me, said: SIN attending my
wife, DIR. Gray, | must ask you to under
take double duty. We have decided to
tell you our secret-in part-so that while
we are your patients / trust we may look
upon you as our friend-one who will as
-;r -, nd in ivir
the entirely secluded life we desire to lead
here. Wilton is an assumed name. Ny
father refused to acknowledge my mar
riage with the girl 1 love. Her father
withheld his consent to his daughter mar
rying into family too proud to receive
her. We would have waited any reasona-
BILE time; when our parents sought to separ-
ate US entirely we took our lives into our
own hands. We married, and hope-in
time-to be forgiven"
They had both spoken to me with the
aandor of youth, of love, and of inexperi-
tnce. Ii takes very little sometimes to
bring doctor into6lose relations with his
parents | seemed to become the friend of
this interesting young couple at once. I
assured them they need not fear being in
truded upon by the villagers, and the only
gentlemen's residences within calling dis
-tances were tenantless at that season of
the year, the owners being either up in
London or travelling abroad. As to the
vicar, he was a man whose advanced age
and intirmities etfectually precluded him
from visiting more than was absolutely
necessary among his parishioners.
IF you go to the church-a mile from
here" said l, che may or may not call up
on you. If you do not go, think l may
safely say he will not consider it neces-
sary. In that case you may probably never
meet"
Mr.. and Mrs. Wilton thanked me warm
Iy, pressing me to come to see them fire.
quently, which l did with ever-increasing
pleasure as the beautiful romance of these
two loving hearts unfolded itself. l soon
discovered that Mr.. Wilton had received
a college education; l also CLEANED that
"Una" was somewhat his inferior in so
cial position, and that since their runa-
way marriage they had been travelling
abroad. 1t was no business of mine to
know more than they chose to tell. l
respected their secret, and asked no ques-
tions.
One morning-my visits had become al
most daily now-I saw at once that there
was something wrong with Mrs. Wilton,
and she saw also that | perceived it.
You need not feel my pulse, doctor; it
is my heart" she said, in answer to my
looks. "You will find me foolishly weak,
/ know" she added, forcing smile, ''but
am miserable because my husband is go
ing to leave me-"
Leave youl For how long?" inquired
anxiously.
II.
swered shyly: It'll this evening. All,
don't laugh" she implored; 1--WE have
never been separated for so long since we
were married. l am nervous and fanciful,
I suppose, but 1 scarcely slept last night
for thinking of it, and when did a dread
full dream kept repeating itself"
"Oh, you must not mind Dreams" an
swered
Il never did much before, but this-ah,
Charles" she cried, as Mr.. Wilton came
in booted and spurred, 81 will come and
zee you mount"
Isaw the parting from the drawing-room
window where stood-saw her husband
place his hands on either side of the sweet
face, and gaze down into it with a look of
unutterable love; saw their lips meet to-
gether for moment after that he kissed
her forehead and her beautiful fair hair,
then sprang into the saddle and rode off
swiftly, as though he could not trust him.
self to hnger. At the gate, turning, he
waved his last farewell
She came into the drawing-room pres
emily.
Doctor, excuse me; think l will lie
down." she said, her large blue eyes look
ing peculiarly plaintive, trimming as
they were with tears. My presence was
not needad then / bowed and took my