Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-07-07

been based upon tna existence OF any
djsreputable farliy .stcry, disgrace or
connection.
Even If some misfortune of that sort
had existed, Mrs. Moreland and Jessie
were both too sensible to have any false
lhame about it.
By a single swift mental reference to
what he already knew concerning the
two ladies, therefore, the young physi-
clan was able to decide that the rejection
of his hand was in no wise based upon
anything in their family history or con-
nections.
To the contrary, the motives which
had influenced Jessie's conduct had all
been of a strictly personal nature.
Tn other terms, she had rejected Vance
because of some attribute, Characters
tic, or circumstance peculiar to herself.
But what was it2
bid she refer to some incurable malady
of the body, or some dreadful infirmity OF
the mind?
Was her affliction entirely beyond a
wise and loving treatment, or could it'De
cured or mitigated by a judicious resort
10 the vast resources of modern science?
Was it wholly real or partly imag-
mary?
Vance recalled in this connection that
Jessie had never made any complaints,
and had always seemed to be in the best
of health. =.
Then what could be the "terrible curse"
of which she had spoken?
In any case, it was an Inheritance OF
Mrs. Moreland as well as her daughter,
lnasmuch as the latter had spoken OF IL
as having existed in her family for many
uenerations-a fact which was In itself
enough to show that it could be perpetu'
ated.
Might it not be in their blood, and
something in the nature of one OF those
Scrofulous taints which are so common
In that case, however, why had they
not made every possible effort to get rld
nf il. and why had they failed to take
the young physician into their counsels,
after all the great cures he had alreaoy
effected?
Was their aff1iction not more likely 70
he some dreadful form epilepsy, which
no art can cure, and which is liable to
strike down its victim at any moment,
with every circumstance of torture, dis-
figurement and horror?
But Just what could it be?
This was the query that kept present.
ing itself constantly to the puzzled young
doctor.
From the mere fact that all his atten-
ton was given to this inquiry, at the
very moment of the rejection OF his SUIT,
II will be seen that he did not take his
dismissal very seriously to heart.
Not for a single instant did he regard
the interview he had just had with jessie
as fnality.
# the lover had indeed been tempor-
arilv eclipsed. it had only been to give
way to the physician.
lie could only regard Jessie as III, ana
It was no more his intention to remain
away from her than if the painful inter-
view he had just had with Jessie had
never taken place.
In good truth, this interview had deep
ened his love for the afflicted girl i'm
mensely.
The fact that she loved him so intense.
ly could not have possibly failed to call
forth all the ardor of his own passion.
How tenderly and sorrowfully his en-
tire soul went out to her!
How her grief and despair were dupll-
Gated in his own heart!
How earnestly he wished to get hold OF
her secret and Danish forever all the
misery it covered!
As he neared the fence at the end OF
the meadow, the end adjoining the high
yav, he suddenly became conscious that
some one was doggng his steps, and
came to an abrupt halt, facing about
with an air of eager inquiry,
"It's only me, Vance" announced the
pursuer. in quiet, pleasant tone, con-
tinuing to advance.
"Ah, Uncle Erastus." recognized the
young physician, looking around IN a
curious sort of way, as if not quite sure
where his feet had carried him while his
thoughts were so busy.
as this the first you have seen OF mo?'
asked the newcomer, as he came 10
halt in front of the rejected suitor.
Vance assented.
"Then you didn't see me pull up the
grays at the entrance of the driver"
"No, uncle"
"Nor walk along the drive to the lawn
after hitching them?"
The young doctor shook his head Wig
| orously.
"Nor saw me sitting on that horse
block near the house?"
"No, didn't"
81 was none the less there, my dear
nephew-near enough to see and hear
why you were so oblivious of my pres
| ence-"
"Ah! you saw"
"That Jessie rejected you. as ] Away:
supposed she would" interrupted the
uncle, in a tone that was at once cheer
| full and sympathetic, as he drew the arm
of his nephew within his own, and put
the young physician and himself In mo-
ton for the highway. 81 was too near
you see, not to become enlightened
"But how came you here, uncle?"
"How? WE'LL that's good one
! Didn't you invite me to take tea here
with you, and Itold you would come If We
could get that hay into the barn IN
| time?"
Certainly"
"Well, we had some delay, so that
was unable to drive into town to youl
office and come here with you, but
fancied it would do just as well If drove
direct to the house"
"Why, of course, only"
ooh. yes. understand the matter!
see there has been hitch in the pro
ceedings! But here we are."
He climbed the fence with the agility
of school-boy, and proceeded to un
hitch a pair of fine gray horses which