The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-12-14

had not neglected my will as my old
friend had done, though she had no
claim upon me.
Paul R,yue had been six months
dead when DR.. G irdner came TO Poole.
vile. He brought letters from Her
man Rayne TO me and to old Dr.. VII.
cox, our only medical authority before
he came. DIR. Wilcox was delighted
with him. Although not thirty, he was
doctor of a kind that are born, not
made, and soon proved his skill in some
obstinate chronic cases.
"' shall retire now, Montgomery
the doctor said to me, rubbing his hands
together. l could not make up my
mind TO do 1t before, but DIR. Gardiner
will more than Gil my place. Why,
think of ilP l took him over to see
Miss Henderson to-day, and he has
already told me of a contrivance that
will enable her to walk little. There
cannot be much done for her, poor
thing, but he can relieve some of her
suffering.
And | soon found DIR. Wilcox was
right. New scientific discoveries had
thrown some light upon the injuries
The poor old lady bad received, and DR..
Gardiner installed himself as family
physician.
AS there were two Miss Hender-
sons, and one of them by no means an
invalid, appointed myself dragon in.
chief and watched DR.. Gardiner closely.
But my heart warmed to him, he was
so cordial, so gentlemanly, aud so de-
voted to his patients. Every case was
as carefully tended as if it was the only
one, and the patients were friends from
the beginning. His purse was open for
all distress, and | could never calculate
the charity he exercised, both profess
sionally and privately.
1t did not surprise me that Lottie
soon began to brighten up when the
doctor paid his daily visit to her aunt.
Although Mrs. Clifford was a perfect
Mrs. Grundy for propriety, always
being in attendance, the young hearts,
it was evident, were mutually attracted,
and l began to build castles in the air
for my favorite.
ut was springtime when DIR. Gar
diner came to Pooleville, and during
the summer he most certainly made the
burden of life far more endurabe to
pale cheeks bloomed anew in the
added air and exercise she obtained in
attending her aunt on the walks and
long drives the doctor ordered for her.
But, in the winter, long
lung complaint, from which Miss Hen.
derson suffered, developed into con-
sumption, and there was no hope she
would see another summer. She
failed very gradually, very painlessly.
Even |, who saw her every day, could
scarcely mark the steps that were lead
ing her from her narrow, suffering life
to the more perfect one beyond the
grave.
Lottie was the most faithful nurse,
loving and devoted, and the invalid
chung to her with trust that was very
touching. 1t had always been Lotte's
pride to have her aunt neatly and taste
fully dressed, and she was doubiy careful
now that the confinement to the house
gave her an excuse for invalidish cos
tunes. The softest of white, knit
shawls was always draped over the
white embroidered wrapper, and the
snowy hair smoothly folded under her
pretty lace caps. Herman Rayne had
allowed his charge an ample income,
and Lottie conscientiously devoted it to
the invalid's sole use.
March was nearly over when Miss
Henderson died. The day after the
funeral | was writing to Herman Rayne
when DR.. Gardner came into my office.
60 am writing to Rlyne,' | said.
Have you any message?'
"' None. You are telling him of
Miss Henderson's death?'
"' Yes; and | think now he ought to
do something for Lottie. OF course,
as her nominal occupation is gone, she
cannot stay where she is
"'No. | have just left her. You
must have seen, long ago, that loved
her.
SO suspected it,
"Twice before | have asked her to
become my wife, but she thought her
duty compelled her to devote her life
to her aunt. That duty over, she con-
fesses now that she loves me-
60 l am heartily glad, said
"' Thanks, was the quick, cordial
reply. You are her best friend, |
know. But - and he smiled you
need not send that letter all the way to
Paris, merely to come back. Have my
nine years abroad entirely changed me,
Uncle RObertY
"And then | recognized him,
CO. Herman Rayne!' cried. Il have
been sure before this that you and
had met somewhere before, but l did
not place you. Queer, too, for l knew
your mothers name was Gardiner and
yours Herman Gardiner Rayne. Well,
well, it is all as my old friend would
wish it, Does Lottie know?'
"'I told her to-day. We will walk
over to the church this afternoon, I'M
Gle Robert. Will you be there to give
the bride away? must return to Paris
for few months; so that will be our
wedding trip
"And that" continued the old law
yer, explains why say fiatter my
self that the old house is so improved
Herman Rayne asked me to make it
home for them when they should return
to Pooleville, and they reside here
most Of the time Sometimes thew