The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-11-19
GRACIE'S MISTAKE.
By RUFUS HALE

BIZ RUFUS HALE
When Doctor Sanford came 10 the vii
lage of g. and put up bis modest sign
over the door of the little house he had
hired, there was some excitement among
the female portion Of his neighbors-
The new doctor was a fne-iooking,
manly fellow, and if was soon ascertain
ed by all the single ladies in the village
that he was unmarried
In the course Of a few weeks he had an
extensive practice.
In fact, if was really surprising to OBJ
serve how many blooming young women
who had hitherto enjoyed good health,
were suddenly afflicted with headache
and rheumatism.
The doctor also received invitations to
social gatherings, al one of which he first
saw Oracle Barton, girl Of nineteen and
the belle of the village.
Oracle was something Of eOquette-
her only fault in other respects she
was just what young woman should be
kind, gentle and obIiging-
Perhaps she had been little spoiled
By the admiration she had always ex-
cited among the young men,
She was certainly beautiful creature,
finely formed and graceful in her move
ments, with lovely face, lighted by
pair Of large, starry-brown eyes, full Of
piquant expression
II was not surprising that the doctor
wss much pleased with ms new aequAint-
anee
Not many weeks after il was ascertain
ed that he had called upon her aunt,
and asked her permission 10 pay his ad-
dresses to her niece. In fact, 1t was soon
discovered that. for some reason OF other,
Oracle did not play the coquette with
the doctor, as II bad been thought she
would do.
People wondered thereat, but the cause
of her forbearance was simply that Hen
~ Sandford was the only man she had
ever loved
Miriam Beak, one Of the village girls,
not quite 50 attractive as Oracle, had
vainly endeayored TO win the young doc
tor.
She was not an amiabIe person-was
spiteful, enyious, and in woman's native
element Of love, disposed 10 be revenge
ful.
She had hoped that Oracle, by her
coquetry with sandford, would lose him.
For she had observed, with the quick
perception Of her sex, that the doctor
WAS not the sort Of q man TO be tri8ed
with. But when she perceived that her
rival showed no disposition to tease
her lover, she was both disappointed and
angry.
Resolved to make desperate attempt
to bring about the desired mischief, she
said one day to Oracle, on meeting the
/ latter:
~what DO you think DR.. Sandford said
to me yesterday, when he called on
mother, who you know is one Of his pa
tients. He said that you did no, dare
to play off your coquetry with him, as
you had done with others"
Oracle only smiled, but Miriam knew
that her shaft had taken the in ended
/ direction
The mex. time she met the doctor the
beautiful girl was cold and reserved.
Oracle sancford finally said, draw
ing his chair close to her side, '-you must
know by this tine that I love you.
have dared to hope that you think
enough of me to become ny wife"
She was silent. There was fash in
her eyes such as he had never seen there
before.
"Ncw for my triumph" she thought
with difficulty hiding the expression Of
the deep joy that thrilled her heart. Ale
shall see whether dare to tease him or
not"
"You do not answer" continued sand
ford. Il hope have not been mistak-
en-"
@And suppose you have been-what
them" she said, with toss Of her head.
~In that case would have to bear my
disappointment" he answered, sadly.
Don't pine away, beg Of you. We
could not afford to lose so good doctor.
Il perceive have been mistaken. ?
said SANFORD. quietly
He arose, and without another word,
walked out Of the house
Oracle, ali this time, sat like statue.
Loving this man with all the strength
Of her womanly nature, she had really
longed to throw herself on his breast the
moment he proposed to her.
Now he Was gone.
Would he ever come back to her again?
Her brain whirled-she felt faint and
dizzy.
Deeply did she regret that she had
trified with him.
All the next day she sat hoping be
would come to her.
But this day-and the next passed drear-
ily away without her seeing him
That very day DR.. Sandford left the
village.
Ii was soon known that be bad gone
away, as doctor, aboard The IEand,ro-
a merchant ship bound for Japan from 8
neighboring seaport
The captain, an old friend of his, bad
written to him, soliciting the acceptance
of the position
Grscie was girl of strong. deep feel.
ing Her grief wore upon her.
In vain she struggled sgainst il. The
strength of her attachment oyercans
her vonan's pride
/ Constantly did she behold little trife:
to remind her Of her happy days with
szndford.