The news boy., 1896-04-18
DOCTOR KATE.
And an Old Maid Aunt's Plans
for Her Nephew.


this sleepy little town was mystery
to me. OF course it was good field
for charitable work and there were q
great many chances for doing good;
but woman like her should have some
idea beyond missionary work.
beautiful girl, brought up with
every advantage and fitted by nature
and education to shine socially and in
her profession, she would have made
her mark in the world, iustc;.l Of bury
Ing her talents in a little Place where
there are less than dozen people who
know enough to appreciate her
don't mean to dcpreciate the good
people Of the village. They are well
enough in their way and l was used to
them and lived among them content
edly enough, but then l was an old
maid with good deal Of my life behind
me, while she was young and full Of
promise and there seemed possibilities
for her that never could be realized in
this out-of-the-world place.
Twas away on n visit when she came
to town and my Grst knowledge Of her
existence was when read the modest
sign, Doctor Kate Dare" on the door
OF the cottage across the way.
OF course I made her acquaintance
Immediately and we soon were the
firmest OF friends.
was very fond of Dr. Kate She
was very bright and had a wonderfully
winning way that took the hearts Of
the villagers from the first. The school
children adored her; and 1 am sure
she set more broken slate frames than
she did broken bones.
She was deeply interested in her
work and remarkably successful in her
practice and urged her to try larger
field where she could make name for
herself. But she thought she could do
more good where she was She had
plenty OF money and did not care for
fame and found her work was not a
whim, but an earnest purpose.
My nephew, Frank Parks, used to
sun out from the city to spend few
weeks with me each summer. He was
q handsome young follow, a little bit
spoiled and little lazy, perhaps, but
very dear to the heart of his old aunt
lhad told DR.. Kate but little about
him, for l had plan in my heart;
and, although an old maid, I had my
own ideas about how such things
should be managed. "The least said
the soonest mended," said to myself;
so DR.. Kate heard very few praises of
my dear boy.
It was later than usual that year
| when he came. In August, 1 believe,
and the country was looking its loveli-
est He was glad to get home, he said
| Che knew it pleased me to call my
house home); he divided his time be-
tween teasing me and swinging lazily in
the hammock on the veranda.
The first day at breakfast he had
asked the village news. How were the
Smiths and the Joneses? Was the sew
ing society still hourishing and had the
minister's wife another baby? Did old
DIR. Street drive the same funny furry
looking old horsep
| answered his questions to his salts.
faction and added that we had new
doctor, a lady.
''Ah! short hair-spectacles-no
corsets-and stout boots! know 'em!
Mother had one visit her last winter.
Wants to vote, too, of course. Corners
q man and floors him with long words
and medical terms. Don't let her
loose on me, please"
'Don't worry yourself; she won't
bother you; she is too busy" I replied.
One afternoon sat reading to him as
he lay in the hammock when the click
of the gate made him look up Just in
time to see DIR. Kate, in q pretty
tailor-made gown, tripping down the
street. "What q stunning girl! not q
native certainly" sitting bolt upright
and watching her out of sight.
l. "Who is she? Come, tell me abou,
her, like the dear old lady that yor
are"
"She is DIR. Kate Dare"
"What, she!"
Certainly" ssid l, changing the sub
Ject
To punish him I was very obtuse ant
ignored all his hints to intro. luce hiu
to my young friend, but one day fats
favored him. A little girl came dowr
the doctors walk, crying as though hel
heart would break, Frank, Away,
sympathetic with children, was quicllel
than usual to fly to tho rescue, ant
crossing the street inquired the caus,
OF her trouble.
She was a wee little thing and th'
tears had washed two white path
down her grirny checks; long blacl
linen thread was attached 10 a from
seoth and hung down over hcr chin