The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-01-08
NOT ROMANTIC.
The Doctor Met and Defeated on
His Own Ground.

Miss Dora Dwight, on her thirtieth
birthday, received the first love-letter
of her ife-thc first offer of marriage.
1t was handed into the dormitory of the
physicians Orphans Ilome"-not, as
may be supposed. a home for the Or
phans doctors have made, but for the
children of deceased medical men. Miss
Dwight was matron there, and at the
moment was changing the pillow-cases
before the wash.
II suppose it's about Johnny Gilroy
and his swelled knee" said the serv-
ant. doctor Emory seems to think it
wnss."
Miss Dwight, however, waited until
the girl was gone before she opened the
note. Then, not greatly to her surprise,
she read the words:
sfY DEAR DoKA-fou have known me since
you were n LADY. Do you like me well
enoreh to marry me? of course, you and /
have given up romance long ago. have
had two wives You must be thrty-tw0 or
three. ["Just thirty" said Dora to herself;
"ho is sixty -nine."l You will greatly inn
prove your position by marrying me, and
always liked you. Please meet me in the
garden after hours. hope to find you un-
der the willows. Yours, hopefully,
t. EMORY.
1t was not a love-letter calculated to
fatter the heart of woman of any age.
At first she said: 81 will refuse him."
Then she remembered how good and
kindly he was. 81 will accept him."
said she, ''but no romance shall be in
my talk with him. He shall find me
like stone. He shall have the sort of
wife he wants.
It was early when the door-bell
:. Changed, and foot crossed tho long
passage, and ceasing to echo on the
painted floor, struck the stones. Earlier
than she expected him, but she was
ready for him under the willows in the
garden.
Il am glad to find you here" said a
deep, old voice. Il thought you would
he sensible enough to do what | asked,
but was not quite sure-not quite. No.
! You have read my note carefully? Yes?
Well, imagine that say to you again
what | wrote. | await your answer with
anxiety"
\ She looked at him, and he saw that
she smiled in an odd, embarrassed way.
Il "Wil1 you marry me, my dear?" he
INDEED. Il sec | must make it easier for
yoa to speak"
1T reas little hard to begin" she
aid.
THE usual reason moves me-" he
tid. I'm in love with you. l think it
st to marry again, and | know no one
70 you-no one. I've had two wives
fore, | admit, However, neither of
m complained of me, believe. I
@ a very nice home, and, really, it
be very much better position for
than being matron of an institution.
do it admirably, but l hate to sec
ere. Your father was older than
we were great friends. l think
uld advise you to say yes
put her hand upon his arm.
n very practical woman" she
If marry you l forfeit good
that may be mine for lifc-an
dent position. 1t is dangerous. "
ear, you'll have half of all that
and I'm not poor"
on't think me young, l know"
ered. 'Who thinks a woman
thirty? But you have four
|, business men, older than l.
BIT approve of the match"
70 not at home; it can't mat
Pr. Emory.
I'll Miss Dwight, with cruel
"the trouble will como
p. You have made mis-
older than poor father
PIC widow, your sons will
fort to take every thing
mi be left with nothing,
-! 70, my habits of industry,
| mako no doubt you
such cases; have"
T. sat-and who can marvel
IN quite dumb by this
Tho gasped:
Md"
pswered-'I am, indeed.
he. You can take back
nory. Every thing can
ne. I'll tear up your
Pit that all shall re-
"a answered, 81 am not.
= say is only true.
hope. My answer
+ S, s a sand will make a
Try thing, on our
st" she said. ut
Ii: s pntested. Leave
e !! | le.n She named
81 PIP it up.
= ;E T. |nsible. And you
Is s. p Il promise, of
81 y !! = etter than that,
II NJ <EJ5 cause for COM
81 81 : ~ fault that we
81 & \afterward, if