The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-06-28
AUNT MERCY's DOCTOR.
By NARY KYLE DALLAS.

Perhaps there never were two betroth-
ed people of whom it could be more tru-
ly said that they were suited to each
other, than Roland Lester aud Marcia
Murray. They had fallen in love at first
sight. They were both young, neither
poor, and neither had any old love affairs
to remember. Moreover, they were
healthy, good looking, and OF lively dis
positions, and they would have been
married within the first year of their en-
gagement but for an Aunt Mercy, who
fancied herself great invalid and could
not spare Marcia, and an alfectionate
mother who burst into tears at the bare
thought of "her boy being married.
These affectionate ifaggravating relatives
had caused the young people to decide to
remain single until they.could feel that
they were not too selfish in marrying
and making home of their own. Mean
while they were very happy. However,
a cloud no bigger than a mans hand was
about to appear upon the horizon. 1t
arose one evening while Roland was say
ing goodbye TO Marcia. Lingering over
the parting, as lovers will, they had got,
by slow degrees, to the hall door, when a
man came running down stairs, caught
his hat from the rack, drew his watch
from his pocket, glanced at it, and rush
ed out of the door.
He was yellow man, with dull, black
hair, tiff as an Indians, long eyes, black
not brown-as most Of the eyes we call
black are-wearing queer, struggling
black beard, and dressed in black clothes
that ftt,d him very tightly In fact, on
the stage Le would have passed for a
well-made-up comic character.
His gait motions and general effect
were all suggestive of eccentricity, and
his expression was unpleasant. The sud-
den roll Of wheels without indicated that
he had entered a carriage, which was
driven away at a rapid rate.
who is that gentleman ?'' asked Ro-
land.
Aunt Merey's DOCTOR" replied Mar
eia. "Auntie says that be has kept her
alive for years. That he has the most
wonderful knowledge OF her eonstitu-
ton.
'He seemed to be in a hurry" said
Roland.
"He is always in hurry. He has so
many patients" said Marcia.
81 do not like his looks" said Roland.
"He has the most unpleasant expression" I"
Really, Roland" said Marcia, 81 do
not think any one ought to speak in that
way of wise, good man, who spends his
life in benefitting the world. l actually
revere him; and what is beauty, after
ALP
Beauty said Roland. at is not a
question of beauty, my dear. at is the
evil expression allude to. 1 should act
ually be afraid Of the man."
"OfDr. LUZ? Afraid OF man who
gives his life for Others ?" gasped Marcia.
"He takes fees, aud heavy ones, have
no doubt, from those Others" responded
Roland.
"He must live" said Marcia. "Oh,
what hard, cruel world this is How
falsely the best Of men are Judged"
"You seem to feel strongly about this
DR.. Luiz," said Roland.
81 do" said Marcia. Il simply adore
Aunt Mercy. And to think that / should
perhaps have lost her but for that dear
man! And you hate him at sight.
Roland made no reply, and for the first
time since their engagement the two
young people parted withou; any display
of tenderness. In fact, the little scene
had all the effect Of quarrel.
Roland took himself severely TO task
as he went upon his way. He declared
to himself that he should have had more
sense that to admire the family doctor
was the regular and proper thing that
no doubt Luiz was very learned man
He had been, he thought, very cross and
but ne would make up for it
on the next evening, when he was to
take Marcia to a concert. he would buy
her the loveliest bouquet possible He
would show her he was penitent. Judge
Of his establishment when, late on the
following afternoon, a little note was
brought TO him, containing only these
words:
do not come for me tonight I cannot
20 to the concert. MARCIA.
No excuse; no explanation not a
word of kindness. What did it mean
Roland endeavoIed to believe that Aunt
Mercy had one Of her sudden attacks of
illness. But why did not Marcia say
so? He spent very unhappy evening
and very forlorn day, and as early as
was possible the following evening took
his way to Marcia's home.
Alas the servant, in reply TO his in
guiry for Miss Murray, replied with a
brief Not at home to any one" and Ro-
land left the door in still greater perplex
ity, and flew home to pen brief note,
in which he protested his affection and
begged that Marcia would assure him
that her feelings toward him were not
A reply came in due time, but it only
his anxiety. 1t was this:
Il had determined not TO see you
again, but perhaps il is better that you
should come this evening. | can say