Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1889-06-19
TIE DocTOIvs TEN. TATIoN.
BY GuISEvERg.

"Good morning, Miss Elsie; why, you
are looking remarkably well Tor an iBya-
lid; this sweet June air is proving Itself
beneficial.
AS DIR. Godfrey spoke he drew a chair
before the great willow settse, where,
among the cushions, the slender form OF
Elsie Benedict reclined.
She looked up with a languid smile,
and then her face took on that weary,
pathetic expression again, an expression
that told of burdened heart and a
troubled mind.
Once those pale checks had worn the
rosy hue of health, those sad eyes had
been aglow with careless pleasure, the
dropping lips had curved but In laughter;
now all YVES changed, and the DOCTORS
heart throbbed sympa' hetlcally as he
looked upon her-a girl In years with
the weight OF sad experience upon her,
He knew her history; how She had
loved handsome, dcbon4ir young man,
who had won her heart but to break 1t
upon the flint OF his own selfish nature;
how, impressed by her delicate beauty he
had drllted into relationship that led
her TO believe that ultimately their lives
would unite; then without any pretext,
any warning, he had left her with only
this cruel m ssage to explain his act:
"ELslE,- 1t would be folly to indulge
longer In our pleasant little ronauce;
nothing can come of 1t but misery, for We
are both too POOR to link our lives to-
gether. We love each other, but we
must be reasonable. Your beauty will
win wealthier, perhaps nobler man,
and I-weli, | will not be a bad husband
to some heiress who may be foolish
enough to make me her beau ideal. 1t
may seem hard now, but by aud by we
will laugh oyer the affair together.
LEROY"
Oh, what a blow to the sensitive, low
ing grill She could not realize at frat
that it was not all a Jest, that Leroy
would not come to laugh at her agita-
tion aud beg her forgiveness; but as the
truth dawntd upon her, grief and despair
took possession Of her heart.
She told her story to her mother, who
could say nothing to soothe her.
''Let us 20 away" she cried ieyerishly,
and strange strength upheld her tin
they had left the city and found a quiet
retreat in distant village; then she fell a
victim to brain fever, and for days she
lowered between lite and death.
IL was then DIR. Godfrey met her, and
now she was ont of danger, but under
the shadow of her sorrow still.
She thought she would never know
content again-that the aching void In
her heart would never be filed, that her
mind would never be at peace.
81 feel II trlile stronger" she said soft
ly, in reply TO the docter's remark. 81
do not expect to regain my former
health"
"Ab, but you will, ard your youthful
spirits, too" said the man, cheerily.
"But, Mits Elsie, you are your own enc
myths dependency is fatal"
She cast him u quick, reproachful
glance.
"Gow can help it?" she said, almost
childishly. l feel as If had no further
interest in life
you must rou yourself, then.
Come, the day Is warm--l,t me drive you
q short distance and back-nay, l will
not lie refused. You are still my pa
tient."
Aud brief while later she was seated
be side him in his easy carriage, and de-
spite herself her interest was reused by
his pleasant speeches aud the beauty OF
her surroundings.
So every day DIR. Godfrey took her in
his charge, and soon she began to antici-
pate the pleasant rides and social com
partnership.
He was always 80 thoughtful, so CHEEKY;
sometimes he talked to her OF her trou-
bic, and then 1t seemed that the burden
grew lighter; she contrasted his honest,
tender wsy with the selfish, exGcting de-
yotion of her Cd lover.
She wss grateful for his friend hip, and
found herself wondering how her life
would seem when DIR. Godfrey dropped
out.
This thought came to him once when
he drove away from her home; his heart
leaped with sudden pam.
81 have learned to iove the little girl, !"
he thought. NV hat shall do when
eau see her sweet face no morel Why
can she not care Tor meg
And then II wild desire to win her arose
and he reelected upon every glance, every
kind wcrd she had given him.
81 am only Il friend, but can she not
learn 10 think of me IN anot; er ligbtl |
have heard OF hearts being caught in the
rehouud-may | not hopo to gaip the
precious gilt that miserable ,capegrace
ellghted9 Why, with Elsie Tor my vile,
lite would be one dream OF happiness. /
will win her with devotion and patience"
These thoughts were in his MUD when
he next saw her; she wondered why lie
regarded her so earnestly.
allow radiant you are TO day, "he said,
Soon you will have no need lor my ser
vices"
~ can always find use for frieud,p
she said with a soft glance.
But you will not always stay hertP"
She looked away, and the smile faded
from her face; he saw her sensitive lips
CULVER.
at is not pleasant thought to your"
he said, gently. why, the best OF
friends must part you know"
She turned quickly and held out one
hand, touching his arm lightly.
Let us enjoy the present, without
calling up sad thoughts OF the future"
che said, in h.siiating yet eager way.
Then he knew that she at least would
miss him, that she cared for him more
than she did for others-ouly the shadow
OF Leroy Palmer stood between.
lie went from her presence In q hope
full state OF mind.
Not just yet, but by ard by" he told
hmscil; and in the mids; OF his revcre
he was startled by a voice.
doctor, hasten to the Bend, there has
been an accid1n on the track, and sew
eral are wounded"
In few moments he had reached the
scene of the disaster; tie first victim
he saw WAS handsome, white-'aced
man, lying like one dead, near the EN-
baukment
lie leaned over him, and discovered
that he still lived; and then he pickle up
4 letter that had fallen from his pocket.
. IL 4 a