The herald., 1896-02-10
DIR. FREKE PRACTICE.

81 don't see," said Miss Mather, in her
mildest tone-and mldness was her pre-
dominant trait-"why we should take up
DR.. Freke's cause so vehemently"
She was clipping the rose tree at the
front gate, which young DR.. McLaren had
just passed, with a glance, and lifted his hat
in the direction of the two figures. Miss
Mather had bowed in her courteous kindly
fashion, the smile she could never refuse
to any neighbor dimplng her round face,
which neither spectacles nor white hair
could make anything but childlke; her
neice had apparently not seen the salute,
for she did not return it. Yet the swift
glance had been bent upon her 1.-the figure
and small, proud head, turned away in dis
dain or Indifference.
Dear, DR.. Mclean bowed" demonstrated
the old lady.
"Auntie, I am quite aware of it," Miss
Phiilpotts had replied saucily. and then
came the mild rejoinder quoted above.
HE had no business to come to Sicott
and set up against dear old DR.. Freke,,"
Miss Phillpotts said. breaking off rose
with energy. ut was most unprofessional."
But If he had no money to buy a prac-
tice? And he is very skillful, quite beyond
our dear old friend in modern ways and
knowledge, they say
No use, auntie. I'm in the opposite
camp. DR.. Freke has been good enough for
me all my life and I'm not going to con-
done any injury done him by younger mem,
who fancy they know everything. The idea!
AS il experience counted for nothing!
1t was very pretty quarrel, and had
abated little of it's violence in the twelve
months which had elapsed since the young
Scotchman had opened his surgery-an ad-
dtional offense to Miss Phillpotts-in the
house next door to Castle Vale, her own
residence. Castle Vale nestled as it's name
implied, under the shadow of the old Nor
man ruin, the pride of Silcott. Castle Grove
was Il residence fallen upon evil days high
er up in eminence, with its front door
opening upon flight Of steps leading to
the village street Here the young aepirant,
boldly challenging success, had taken lodg-
ings and put up his brass plate. At first
nobody dared to face DR.. Frekes indignant
denunciation. and call him in, but grad
ually convenience. dissatisfaction with the
old doctors methods, curiosity or friendly
desire to help the newcomer, had moved
one and another to give him a chance, and
so, on this pleasant summer morning DR..
McLaren was in fair way to conquer that
difficult enemy-country conservatism.
There were others, however, not so OBJ
durate, and five minutes after the CONVEX
sation recorded, Miss Philpotts had IL
shock. Just as the old woman who had
buttonholed her pet aversion as she
called DR.. McLlren had been satisfied and
was moving on, two of DR.. Freke's daugh-
tiers crossed the square, smiles on their
lips and recognition in their eyes. Miss
Phillpotts, who had wandered to the gate
not, of course, to lock after the DOCTOR
but to see whether old Betsy Martin, her
protege, mad actually dared to consult him
in full view of Castle Vale-could hardly
believe her own. DR.. Freke rejoiced in the
possession CT five daughters, none of whom
had as yet been torn from the parental
nest-though the youngest was of mature
and sensible age Mamie Phllpotts had
been a baby when this young lady left
school, but of late years the differences
between them had been bridged over and
the "Freke girls" as they were called