The herald., 1896-03-03

Is little difficulty about that. OF course,
you know what all the town knows. My
practice has fallen away from me as il it
we're q garment"
But" she returned, trying to speak
cheerfully, 'it will come back again! 1t is
only matter Of time.'
Very likely. But, you see, Miss Sinclair,
one has to live somehow, meanwhile"
However, he went his rounds more blithe-
ly than usual, and at o'clock that after
noon, after a long debate with himself.
turned his steps toward Sinclair's house.
He had not entered its door since that day
he had asked Edna to be his wife. and she
refused. Although he was no longer in a
position to ask any woman to be his wife
he could not resist the temptation to act on
! her suggestion. There was not soul i'll
Uppercombe with whom he was on terms Of
intimacy, and her sympathetic manner haa
seemed very sweet this morning.
But, on nearing the house, he saw Blen-
knsopp's carriage a; the gate and a few
yards further on Sinclair Instead of enter
ing, as he had purposed, Lester passed the
brougham. then came face to face with Al
fred. who appeared somewhat embarrassed.
Mrs. Sinclair all right?" inquired Lester.
"Oh, quite-er-it's only Winnie; little
feverish. Look here, Lester, you know what
women are"
Rather rash to boast"
"You see." Alfred blundered ON. 'if it
were myself It would be different. You
can't reason with a woman. and with your
wife you should never make the attempt
Mine took 1t into her head to have Bienkin-
sopp-"
MY dear fellow, your child couldn't be in
better hands. l hope she will soon be all
right again." And he walked on swiftly,
with his eyes on the ground
depend upon it." Blenkinsopp, a stout,
gray bearded man Of sixty, was saying as
Alfred entered the room, at Is better to be
little slow and quite sure, my dear lady.
The experience Of generations is not to be
upset in day by a few callow youths
II have just parted from one of the un-
fiedged," said Alfred, when Blenkinsopp had
gone and Edna re-entered the room.
"Dr. Lester did not see Oh" cried
Gertrude. 81 would not have had it happen
for the world"
"Gerty hasn't the courage Of her convic-
tlons,' said Edna.
CDR. Blenkinsopp says he has lost nearly
all his patients" Gertrude remarked.
"The population of Uppercombe is $4,000,
mostly wise persons" exclaimed Edna, con-
temptuously.
"Gerty," said Alfred. when alone with his
wife that evening. what Is the matter with
Edna? l cannot understand her to-day
II always thought you understood women
so thoroughly, dear"
"Any one would think Lester had re-
tanned her for the Defense grumbled AL
| fred. mot that wish to be down on the
man."
IL think he has," said Gertrude.
"But she refused him. / have congratu-
lated myself on the fact more than once"
"she refused him when he was prosper
GUS"
He can't be described as prosperous
now" said Alfred. "And upon my life,
don't see what there is in the loss Of his
practice to make any difference
Don't you?" asked Gertrude, with a
superior smile.
you mean to tell me- he cried. "that
/ the fact OF this-call it misfortune-hae
caused Edna toto care for him! The gil
must be an IDIOT"
That is just it. dear. Girls are idiots
"Anynow, l shall have something to say
! about it"
Edna is twenty-five. You can't prevent
/ her. said Mrs. Sinclair. 81 almos. wish
I had not had Dr.. Blenkinsopp, and | fee
/ sure these powders won't agree with deal
Winnie
! II shall speak to Edna" Alfred retorted
But he did nos speak to her directly. He
threw out various hints which his siste,
( iguored, till one night about month later
he arrived home in good spirits.
Lester is going away he said
Has he sold his practice?" asked Ger
trudc
He would hardly go without Not thai
there is much to SELL
Edna sat quite silent. Her face was pals
/ and her eyes were moist. II was all she
, could do TO prevent the tears from failing
i till she reached her own room. At druel
she scarcely spoke. and thai evening went
Ia bed, though not to sleep, early.
The following morning she happened Il
I be passing Lester's house at II O'Clock, and
sceng no sign ot him, turned and repasset
the door ten minutes later. He WAS las,
i ctining down the steps
/ Don't let me hinder you che said, when
he Stopped.
/ IL ain going that way. too eaid Edna
! 81 am merely going TO the pos; Office, hs
I answered.