The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-10-31

| One day when she was with party
of girl friends-perhaps l had better
call them acquaintances, as she was
not particularly social; she had no in
innate friends and her best friends
were married womcn-they began to
discuss the new doctor. One said be
was so handsome, another so dignified,
a third praised his voice, while fourth
thought his conversational powers
something remarkable. He was new
arrival, and had evidently made a
great impression.
Helen at first paid no attention to the
insect-buzzing but it continued so long
she was at last compelled to listen, and
finally exclaimed: What q paragon he
must be to have made so profound an
impression. l declare, girls, you have
aroused my curiosity. l should like to
see this wonderful young man"
"Then come to Mrs. Graham's recep.
tion tomorrow evening"" said one of
the girls; ''he will be there"
"Oh, you know l never go to such
things; they are such dreadful bores
and l don't guess he is worth the
trouble after all"
Explain it as you may, Helen that
evening was guest of Mrs. Graham's
1t was not long before she stood face
to face with the new doctor and heard,
''Dr. Haughton, Miss Rutledge."
For once in her life Miss Rutledge
was embarrassed, but Dr. Haughton
was quite self-possessed and said sim
ply that he did not think they require d
an introduction, at least if Miss Rut-
ledge had taken the trouble to remem-
Der him. She replied quickly that she
had not found that very hard work.
Then followed short and unimportant
conversation and DIR. Haughton started
on his rounds among the other ladies,
by whom he was most graciously re-
ceived. 1t is nice to be courted and
complimented, even when we do not
think much of those who crafty u.s.
Helen found her eyes often following
him as he moved among the crowd. He
was the same and yet not the same.
His figure was still slight, but the boy
ishness was replaced by that-what is
the French word "sang froid," that
comes from experience rather than
age.
During the weeks that followed these
two were frequently thrown together
and once or twice he called on her. He
was rather friendly, but his whole
manner said plainly: II worried You
once with my foolishness, but l have
kept my promise and now regard you
only as friend" 1t sometimes made
her feel little jealous of fate when he
showed such Indifference to her. Thus
he became rarity and as a rarity was
attractive. She began to think of him
during the day, and wonder how much
she would see of him during the even
ing. He seemed TO grow handsomer
every day; and the more she knew of
his character the better and nobler she
thought him.
Once she started out on the always
tiresome duty of paying calls--it was
particularly irksomc to her and
thing she avoided whenever possible.
This time, however, was made forever
memorable.
One of her "acquaintances" began to
dilate on DR.. Haughton and the atten-
ton he had paid to beautiful and ac-
complished young lady where he had
studied medicine. BY one of the curl
Gus yet natural actions of the mind,
just this little thing first caused her to
realize that she loved Philip Haughton.
Like most coquettcs she never knew
that she had Il heart she found
that she did not have one. How she
got through with that visit and safe in
her own room she never knew. 1t
may be noted, however, for our special
enlightenment, that her friend saw
nothing unusual in her demeanor.
Now comes the most difficult part of
my story, to picture Il woman of
Helen's character In love.
She was not listless or moping, nor
did she cover her canvas with sketches
of the loved one as most women would
have done. None of her family sus-
pected her complaint, only her mother
detected a certain strained tension in
her manner and was puzzled. She de-
voted herself more than ever to her
art, but she found in it none of that
divine consolation which She had been
accustomed to obtain in lesser troubles.
She could settle at nothing and her
forte was gone-all her efforts seemed
devoid of heart and originality
During all this time she and Philip
frequently met, AT her own home and
at different public and private enter
tainments, TO all which she went. and
scarcely ever failed to find the new
q .tor. She was kinder and sweeter
than ever but he took her kindness to
be II raward for his remuneration and
became more exclusively friendly.
1t may perhaps be of interest to know
what kind 0t man had excited the
love of the brilliant and fascinating
Helen. Aside oS what has already been
said of him it may be noted that,
though his featurea were irregular, he
vas handsome, with that highec beauty
that comes from the expression. Not
only did his face indicate character, but
it was also remarkably expressive. 1t
changed with his changing moods. His
eyes were gray but not at all go cold as
gray eyes are usually supposed TO be,
but glittered with the fire of inspira-
ton, danced with humor, or glowed
with sympathy. AS Helen knew him
better she discovered unsuspected
depths in his character. He seemed
merely butterfly of fashion, with all
that characters advantages and disad-
vantages, but was really man of deep
thought and stcadfast purpose, and had
already achieved remarkable success
in his profession.
One evening after an animated con-
versation on gencralities, pause.