Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-06-25
no matter how we'll intentioned, lose the

he shot his mare n coupe o1 leHBVhs
ahead. 1t was probably his scheme to
trot q hundred yards or SO and then pull
up to watch in triumph my tardy APP
proach. When he looked over his
shoulder, however, the bays head was
close to his wheel. Much surprised,
and no less disappointed, he brought
his animal down to walk, proceed-
ing which promptly initiated.
"I've been wanting to have q talk
with you, Norris" he said. 1T has
struck me that we might cooperate
little to our mutual advantage"
"Indecd?" said L, wondering what
might be in the old gentleman's mind.
1.-THE fact is, I'm getting ancient"
he went on.
Not a bit of it," said I. "You're in
your prime, fair, plump, and forty
"Deny the first, admit the second, and
make the third half as much again.
said he. "l'm not broken down-and
don't want to be before my time.
That's just the point. This last win
ter gave me u warning. Besides, I've
enough to live on, and I'd like to have
little chance for play after 40 years
of work. want to travel a bit, to see
something of this big country of ours.
I'm like mole that knows his particu.
lar garden by heart, but has hardly a
notion of what may be on the other side
of the fence. The long and short of 1T
is, I'd like to shift my heavy work to
younger shoulders, which will bear it
more easily, and, dare say, better"
Not better" said 1.
1.-THE fact is, as you've probably dis
covered, this town is hardly big enough
to support two doctors comfortably.
1t has seemed to me that we might make
some arrangement which would be ad-
vantagcous to both of us. There's Il
young chap in Trent who is trying to
dicker with me, but I've put him off,
for you're first on the ground, and
don't believe in making two people
sleep in a bed that's large enough for
only one. by the way, though, am I
right in supposing that you've decided
to remain here permanently? That
would make difference, of course"
II can't say that I have any settled
plans," said l, but there's no expecta'
ton of moving Immediately"
"Well, think it over. There's no
hurry about it," he answered.; and,
chirruping to his mare, away he ratified
toward the village.
l followed slowly in his wake, let.
ting the bay choose his own gait DR..
Banks proposition had taken me by
surprise; moreover, it had served to
rouse me to a realization of the com.
pletencss with which my future was
subject to the caprices of fate. For the
present, to be sure, there was no cause
for anxiety; but a week might change
the situation completely. Suppose
Lamar should choose to depart; there
was no certainty that he would not
leave me behind. Suppose he should
die; it was hardly probable that |
should profit by any bequest. Suppose
his enemies should discover his retreat
and descend upon him; the result, so far
as | was concerned, would he the same"
This last danger seemed to be the leas!
imminent of the three, but it was as
we'll to reckon it in. had been in his
ray for the better part of n year, but,
in reality, was my position improved?
I had lived in comfort, free from the
cares which had burdened me in the
city, l had accumulated a few hundred
dollars, and physically l had been
gamer by the removal TO the country.
That was one side of the ledger. On
the other could be read loss of the lit
tie progress had made in my profes
sion, absence of settled purposes of any
sort, and growth Of that often disas
trous docility which follows unques-
tioning subsection to another's strong
will. Things could not 60 on as they
were indefinitely. Sooner or later the
end must come. And then? Was l
prepared TO devote myself to the narrow
field of country practitioner, useful
and honorable as it was? Banks had
done me great service; he had reused
me in most timely fashion; but the
awakening had been far from pleasant.
From habit my horse came to i; stand
still in front of the village post Office,
and equally from habit l entered the
place and asked for my mail. A letter,
medical journal, and a newspaper
were handed out, and, mechanically
thrusting them into my pocket, |
walked to the buggy, climbed in, and
turned my nag's head homeward. Still
possessed by doubts and speculations,
/ rode to the farmhouse, and, reaching
it, locked myself in my office, there to
endeavor TO arrive at some conclusion,
to choose way out of my uncertainty.
sat there for hours before | achieved
decision, and it was hardly more than
n compromise. In justice to DIR. Banks,
would tell him it was out of my power
to enter into a permanent arrangement
with him, for eventually l should seek
a more populous distract; If he cared
for a temporary alliance, such terms as
he offered should be accepted.
Catching sight of the newspaper in
my pocket, drew it out, and, as did
floor. l picked it UP and read the adj
dress, written in feminine hand, all
angles and straight lines, like the frame
work of house, yet clear and legihlc.
The postmark was New York. With
waxing curiosity, for my correspond
ence was extremely limited, broke the
seal.
my dear DR.. Norris" the letter ran,
my aunt Mrs. Loring, desires to learn
whether it will be convenient for you
to receive her as patient, and whether
rooms can be secured for us near your
office. She has tried a number of treat
ments since the voyage from Rio, but
none of them has been of marked bene-
fit to her She remembers crate fully