Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-05

as by himself IIe looked across the room
to the alcove and saw his mother sitting on
the edge of the bed holding Amelia's hand.
II wonder" he reflected. "if mother
knows
And then he thought how strange it was
that two weeks ago he should have been
burning with love for Louise. and now his
whole life was centered upon this invalid.
1t puzzled him sadly, for it reawakened his
doubts to his own loyalty. Was it pos
sibe that his nature was tickle that it
might be stirred by any passing woman,
until, like shallow pond disturbed by
light breeze. he should appear to be moved
profoundly?
"a pond" so his thoughts ran, might
conceitedly imagine itself to be ocean
when its surface ripples. Is It right then,
for to foster a love for this girl and
lead her to believe in me when 1 am so IL
able TO changer"
Many and diverse were the considera-
tons suggested by this honest query among
them, of course, a comparison of the two
girls who had affected him. He felt that
he could rely safely on what reason told
him now with respect to Louise, that. with
out prejudice to her good qualities, she was
utterly untitled to be his companion. Closer
acquaintance had revealed characteristics
in her that were not in accord with his own
nature. He recalled how, even when he
had no doubt OF his love. she had said and
done things that Jared upon him. That
love must have been mistake one of
natures freaks, in which. perhaps, his
senses had been attracted by beauty alone,
and having been aroused to a consciousness
of attraction, the emotion had been called
love by himself when others more exper
fenced might have found the term at
traction" quite sufficient.
The doctor found the problem presented
by his own character hard one to solve,
as every man does who is given to rigid
self-analysis. He had. however, touched
upon the right ground in the supposItion
that his sentiment for Louise had been an
attraction rather than love. 1t is a re-
markedly easy thing for a straightfor-
ward, honorable man to ideal:ze the emo
tons within. him AID set himself to act
according to what he conceives they are or
ought to he, whether it lie in matters of
love or the more commonplace affairs of
lfte but it is most easy il love. Louise and
Amelia were the first young women with
whom the doctor had come in familiar con-
tact outside the admittedly good and adj
mirable, but uncultiyated girls of his native
village. 1t is hardly to be wondered. there
fore, that he should have been influenced
by the more vivacious and beautiful of the
two, and should have believed that the
general emotion she aroused was conferred
upon herself an individual.
This is not to say that the doctor was
in love with Amelia while he thought he
vas in love with Louise; the attraction
of the second had had to wait for events
TO develop it, and as he sat in the sick
room cogitating the matter the one thing
upon which he could lean with assurance
was his present unmistakable love for
Amelia.
Later in the day when she reused from
eleep and seemed brighter and stronger he
permitted her to talk more freely, and one
or two things she said were helpful in still
ing the doubts that he permitted to tor
ment him. He went to her side the in
slant he saw that she was awake.
How now" he asked cheerfuliy.
He observed the impulsive moment Under
the coverlet that showed how her hand
had started toward his. She did not put
1t out, for with growing strength. self
consciousness was beginning to manifest
Itself. The doctor, with a frank smile,