The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-02-04
A FAIR PATIENT.

I L. L
picturesque little town, nestled in one of
the most beautiful regions of the CatskiIls,
had been overlooked heretofore by all but
a small contingent OF summer boarders.
But last season the old Griggs House,
which overhung the village on the noun
tain side, having been thoroughly remod-
eled, was rechristened the Beau Seiour,
and Glenham was extensively advertised
as one of the most charming and healthful
resorts about New York.
Among the earliest arrivals at the Beau
Sejour was Mrs AinsIeigh, lovely young
widow, who wore the most elegant tot
lets Glenham had ever seen. But men
were scarce at the Beau Sejour during
! July, and time hung heavy on Mrs Aims
! leigh's hands. She was suffering from a
! slight nervous attack one afternoon when
| she sent for a physician-young Dr. Now
/ bray, who had been graduated three years
before from the New York polyclinic.
Tall and slender, with brilliant dark eyes
and beautiful voice, DR.. Mowbray would
| have passed anywhere for handsome man.
| Mrs. Ainsleigh felt entirely relieved of her
! nervousness after quarter of an hours
conversation with him, and did not think
| it necessary to have the prescription he left
| filed. He called the next afternoon to in
| quire for his patient, and found her suffer-
! ing only from a slight headache. She was
! dressed in a ravishing gown of delicate
! lavender, and Mowbray thought her the
most beautiful creature he had ever seen.
After his third visit he felt himself to be
desperately in love. He had not known
her fortnight, when one morning as his
finger rested on her pulse, she startled him
! by saying:
Il overheard two old Tables talking
about you on the veranda yesterday"
Mowbray looked at her inquiringly
They said that woman with the dolls
face, who wears four gowns day, had de-
signs upon you. | wonder if they could
have meant me, >. she added, with look of
innocent surprise as though the thought
had just struck her.
Mowbray blushed like a schoolboy In
his agitation he pressed her round, white
wrist. She gently withdrew it, but as her
hand slid through his her fingers seemed
to become entangled in his own, and be-
fore he knew it he had bent his lips to her
hand.
do not be angry, for l love you" he
stammered, aghast at his own effrontery
She was looking at him with an amused
smile.
II am not angry to be loved by you-but
are you not doing foolish thing:"
The next two weeks were idyllic ones for
Mowbray. They walked together, drove and
danced together, then the hotel began to
ill up. Mrs. Ainsleigb had whole train
of admirers and the young doctor was often
miserably Jealous. sometimes he staid
away from aer whole day; once it was
two days, and she gently rtproachad him.
This is my harvest and must work"
he said, somewhat gloomily. 1T is play
time with your other admirers, but l must
prepare for the time when | will ce mar
ried," and mis- eyes grew tender.
''Married-you are going to marry" she
asked in surprise-"whomg"
Whom? Why wou, my dearest. Of
course"
''Me!-marry me! Oh, Robert"
"Why-why-wha do you mean?"
"What would you do with me:"
Now bray was too stupefed to answer.
She regarded him with compassionate
smile Poor Roberts it possible you
can have been so serious? Don't look like
that or | shall think orr beautiful summer
is going TO be all spoiled"
She rose and went to her desk; then re-
turning bent over his shoulder with a
caressing gesture and put paper into his
hand
Look at that"
1t was dressmaker's bill, and at the
bottom four figures danced before Now
bray 5 eyes. tie could not see what they
were.
Think of you marrying a woman with
such tastes at the outset of your career,
Robert she said regretfully. There are
more of these, but this woman is becoming
troublesome. | shall have to refer her bill
to Mr.. Ainsleigh, and then | suppose there
will be trouble; there generally is IN such /
cases, but
Mr.. AiusleighP' gasped Mowbrav, al |
most reeling from this second blow, but |
butt
Have never spoken to you of Mr.. 1
Ainsleigh, Robert." she asked innocently. |
You are-you are not widow, them" |
ooh, dear. yes" she replied, laughing 1
softly. Mr.. Ainsleigh is my late hus- |
bands elder brother, and acts as a sort of !
guardian to me- He is very rich, and he 1
thinks he wants to marry me-"
And you-are going-to marry him" (
asked Mowbray family.
Il cannot tell do not know. On. |
Robert why did you speak of this hateful |
subject Of MARRIAGE l don't want to think /
of it. was so happy just to know that /
you loved me- | find it so pleasant to be |
loved. Why must men begin 10 talk of /
marriage right aways"
Mowbray was sick at heart and miser-
able. He went away persuaded that his /
happiness had been wrecked by A heart
less woman. He resolved never to see her
again. Two days later she had another
nervous attack and sent for him.
''Mr. Ainsleigh is coming next week"
she said. and we shall probably leave for
Bar Harbor soon atterward. Let US make
the most of our time Robert; we NAV
never meet sgain. and we are too fond Of
each other to quarrel"
Poor Mowbray was 10 far gone 20 pro-
test; he was very unhappy, but he came 70
see her every day.
Then Mr.. Ainsleigh arrived He was a
tall, silent man. Of about fifty. He met
Robert pleasantly enough, and 70 the sur
prise OF the young physician there was not
{ he least change IN the relations between
himself and Mrs. Ainsleigh. They walked
and rode together as before, and Mowbrsy
was almost happy again. He felt a
though be might win Helen yet, when one
morning Mr. Ainsleigh followed him from
the room and sent a cold chill 70 his heart
b. saying;
Doctor. Mrs. AinsIeigh and leave for
Bar Harbor the day after tomorrow.
VIII you do me the favor 10 send your bill
70 ~ hosaI IN the -,a-Dir,-sH