Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-08

were drowned by his groans. 'Oh, L say,
don't oyerdo it," i whispered, as from sheer
professional instinct, l examined him. 1--WE
can't keep up the farce, you know" l broke
of to stare at my patient in a rapture of ad-
rnirstiou, Jacks luck never failed himl
he had sprained his ankle, and badly too.
F'Thst's the difference between success and
failure, YOU see," he murmured, after had
bound up his foot. always be sure
OF your line, and don't attempt one where
you're bound TO make an ass of yourself, as
you did, old boy, though you are a doctor
and might have managed the trick. Now
I'm tied here by the leg for some time, and
it'll go hard if ] can't contrive 10 circum-
vent that old disbelieying witch for you.
And, Bob, I've seen her-she was near and
heard my yells for succor. Are you deep in
love, eh?"
'T-yes, on yesl-if I knew her"
"Just so. Then you'll not funk 1t? AlPs
fair in love and war, eh?"
cordially agreed. Success makes every
thing fair"
"Jove but you're right! Forget your un-
lucky spill and go and brazen it out with the
old lady. Be sure you lay it on about the
disastrous effects of moving, etc?"
With a sinking heart l set about my task;
it was fully as disagreeable as l feared.
Mrs. Neville heard me out with incredul-
ity, can hardly call it even polite, writ
ten legibly upon every feature. Exactly, ="
she observed when l had ended. LAS the
case is so serious, you will of course not OBJ
ject to my calling in a second opinion? l
have the greatest confidence in your medi-
cal skill, DR.. Dalton, except in the one
matter of sprained ankles"
/ went away in towering rage, but soon
thoughts OF the powerful ally L had lett
right in the midst of the enemy's camp
soothed me 10 softer emotions, though, l
must confess, l dwelt more on the gratifca-
tion OF outwittinC Mrs. Neville than on the
tender aspect. Nothing did ] hear from
Jack till the evening of the next day, and
then received a tiny note in an
unknown hand brought by a messen-
ger. 1t was signed "Alice of the
Blue Veil and somewhat puzzled, read:
Dear Doctor-Uhis is written for Jack,
and just exactly as he says it has to be.
What on earth do YOU mean by not coming
30 inquire after a suffering brother? l have
sent OLD What s-hiS-name to the right-ahout,
though for the sake OF your reputation l let
him examine my unIuckv loot, and have
given it the old LADY pretty hot for her
impudence. Come tomorrow morning at u.
Yours truly. old boy" And then followed
that signature. So her name was Alice
Just like Jack to get the fair Young girl to
write so shockingly OF her grandmother! He
would beCule q vIrago herself bv his in
Bolent blarney!
But how grateful ! was to him when l
went next day. For there, seated near his
couch was-Alice! her bright hair shrouded
bv no hideous veil. She turned her face
full; vel, it was less pretty, less Immediately
enchanting than i had expected, but for an
heiress, wonderful enough. 1 was prepared
for love al first sight, but the immediate ef-
fscts OF the passion were, candor bids me
confess, less overwhelming than my study of
fiction had led me TO anticipate. She smiled
and blushed and let me take her hand, and
felt myself redden too, sure that Jack had
told her of my-mv affeCtion-at least what
would be affection had it opportunity TO
blossom. He did not allow it much grow
ing time then, fo- at once he said 10 Alice:
Now ta-ta, run away, or granny will be
vexed." Just like Jack! And the girl
only laughed and obeyed, not one whit
offended
"Well?' demanded Jack. "where are
your thanks? That's an earnest of more to
come. Confess l am doing better for you
than you dared expect
I was grateful enough, and still more so
as the DAYS went on, Tor, though l cannot
saw I enjoyed as much intercourse with
Alice as l could have desired. l was con-
stsntly receiving hopeful intelligence from
my brother. He said we must battle Mrs.
Nevilie's suspicious, and so he burst not let
me see too much OF Alice. Once let the old
lady fear the young doctor, and his visits
would be stopped. o! him, Jack, she had
no dread; he did his suffering III her pres
encs, aud was always bemoaning his fate in
being tied by the leg in that dull hole (this
frankness was Jack all over), and letting
fall hints as 10 his lender reasons,
IL, 4 hur ha
trial, aud he ignored Alice aud
pointedly expressed ms preference for dark
beauties. ] chuckled at having this con
Eummate actor and tremendous ally at work
on nv behali. Again and again / heard
how we'll things were going. Alice ad-
mired nv name. 4 week later she had al
lowed Jack to .orce from her 4 blushing con-
fession that she would desire no greater
bliss than to be a near, very near relative
OF mine, which rs he remarked was as good
as an acceptance.
A day or two later when l paid my call,
be announced that all was in readiness; he
had arranged everything ior me with Alice,
and it only remained for me TO play my part.
This must be nv last call; his loot was get
ting well rapidly. and Mrs. Neville expressed
impatience at my visits. 'She' awiuilY afraid
OF youl" laughed Jack. l laughed too. She
had made her Uneasiness sufficiently clear
only a day or two before in harangue
against early and imprudent marriages.
Once she had, indeed, in tue warmth of her
el0quence used the word mercenarv, but TO
Go the old lady justice, l believe 1t was an
uninteutionaI slip she had sternlv de-
clared that tie guardians were not enough
consulted in England. and had most
poiu-edly ani resolUtey assured me that
did her Alice marry anyone she, her grand.
mother could not approve o., she would De
cut of without even ;he shilling. In my
heart of hearts l scoffed at this menace
Alice was her only relative; her anger would
blow over when once the girl was married
We laid our plans. at least, Jack told me
what / had t. 10. His directions were cleal
and simple. In few days he must leaE,
the house; my not calling during those dav.
would lUll the old ladv's suspicious on my
account. so that all would be easily man
aged. l must bring a cab for him, one witt
TWO horses, help him into it. and order thu
man 10 drive TO 4 certain place in the fant
which ! must choose and describe to him
where Alice would be ready waiting. She
was 10 SIP Out OF the house full hour be
fore his departure. uStensibiy to spend thu
morning on the cliffs. At the point agreed
upon we could pick her up and drive. no: tc
l. station for lear of recognition, bu
10 NJ, the next on the line, five mile!
of By road.
And you?' I asked. 81 suppose you'll
trarel with US to London? You won't car,
10 STAY here.
Hardly he said ruelu!l5 81 should b,
torn to pieces 10y the old lady for helping
YOU t, rob her. Yes, l must return K
ov,l I 81. - A. J..