Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-10-22
70 BE- Continued.
Witch And |,


quarrel? Whoever 1t is makes mis-
take, 1t took only one to make our
quarrel, and that was my precious Aunt
Betsy Jane. Witch has "A temper. so
have |, She wasn't christened Witch,
God fathers and mothers have much to
answer for, still never heard Of their
giving Witch as u baptsmal name to \
Christian child. No, her name is Julia
Felicia, which is simply absurd. Fancy
little dark eyed, bowitching five feet
nothing having Il name like that,
My name is John, and John I'm al
Ways called. Had J been christoned
Robert or Thomas should have been
called by either of those plain, sensible
names There is nothing tor the mag
lEation to catch hold of i'll my face or
figure. I'm not six feet in my stock
Egs; I'm only five feet ten. haven't
crisp golden hair" and "tawny
beard No; my eyes, hair and beard
are brown, and for the rest have
nondcscript features and good teeth,
Moreover, us | said before, have Il
temper, vile one, and in all things
apart from my profession, am II born
fool.
1t was over game of tennis that
Aunt Betsy Jane made us quarrel.
Witch didn't show up and slated
her. I've slated" Witch ever since I've
known her, and I've known her since
she was 10, SO she ought to have got
used to it. For the matter of that. she
wouldn't have bothered her head about
it if it hadn't been for my beloved
aunt. Witch states me ferociously
sometimes, but it never makes any
Inference.
well, it was at one of Mrs. Dougals
at homes" that the row began. Witch
Miss White, Dougal and | We're playing
tennis. Dougal and Miss White wer
against us. AS rule Witch ticks tho
ether girl into fits, but ON this occasion,
for some reason or other, she missed
nearly every ball | was annoyed, and
| expressed myself little more strong
ly than | ought to have done, but I'm
sure | said nothing one whit stronger
than I've said scores of times without
any ofIense being taken. BE that as 1t
may, Witch refused to play any more
and went and sat down by Aunt Betsy
Jane.
| am doctor, and soon after that
someone fetched me away. II was a
bad case, and didn't get home till mid.
night. In The dining room some cold
meat and beer were waiting for me; so
was note from Witch. ate Il mouth
full and drank glass of beer, then
opened the note. For n moment felt
as If had knife in my heart. 1t was
such a cruel stab, Witch my littlo
Witch would have nothing more TO do
with me. My conduct at Mrs. Douglas
had proved to her that she no longer
possessed my respect. and without re-
spect love was not likely to last long.
etc. She ended by saying that she
would have returned my ring, but she
could not remove 1t from her finger,
but that she would get the jeweler to
cut 1t off tomorrow. ! smiled grim
smile at the last sentence had no in
off.
Tho lovely effusion puzzled me alto
gether 1t wasn't in Witchs usual
style. Naturally, note of that kind
coming from her would have run In this
way: John, | hate and detest you, and
hope you'll keep out OF my sight for
ever" or something like 1t. Well,
went TO bed was such an ass that
never slept wink all night, but made
up my mind what ! would do | got up
early and made good breakfast; then
| went into the surgery, saw my assist
ant, talked over the cases and told hin
should be away all day. After that
vent TO town, straight TO Witch
Iather's Office. He hadn't arrived but
his people knew me and showed me in
TO his private room. He and are great
friends always have been. SO it was
quite natural for me TO go TO him for
advice, or. rather, TO talk aver things.
When he came in he seemed rather
surprised at seeing me, but after he had
shaken hands he looked over his letters,
gave some directions and then, looking
calmly at me. said:
Now, John"
Can you spare me half an hour
sir?'
So far as know. Go ahead.
Well, I'm making 5000 year and
my practice is increasing.
That's good"
Don't you think Witch and might
marry on that"
Certainly"
You have no objections TO our
marrying next month, If she consents?"
None. have no wish that she
should marry at all, but II she must
marry, I'd rather she married you than
anyone else"
Thank you. sir. for saying that.
Thank you very much" said |, CRATE
fully selling his hand and wringing 1t
hard.
Just 80. said he. removing It from
my grasp and looked anxiously at it,
But why this feryor?"
| mt Witph'g nrariaIu eniSflp I'm front