The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-12-31

RdReu III MS AMATEUR uOSIOrlDR JDhb ne
did not hear the sound of wheels on the
gravel without nor the commofion of
many feet in the hall
A sharp knock sounded on the door
Come inin cried the squire looking
up.
DR.. Gerard Massey entered, looking
grave.
Mr. Turnbull $ face flushed dusky red
with anger.
How dare You come to see me unin-
vite1s' he cried, flaring up passionately
Mr. TurHbulI, replied DR.. Massey
quietly, i Cen know why you hate
me so, but you must try to forget it
for your daughters sake. She has met
with "a severe accident. Luckily [ came
upon hcr as she fell from her machine,
and | have brought her home. IS
Brought her homefa repeated the
squire slowly. Is she dead, them
No, not dead, and | trust she will
not die, but she Is IN very critical
state aud will need great care. Her head
has been severely injured, and she is
now unconscious.
The old man drew n long breath.
q ought to apologize fear | have
been rude. and | must thank you for
what you have done. he SAID. Then he
added sti1ly, Il have sent for my own
medical man, DE- Trayers, TO attend to
tins COMPOUNDED foot of mine. and | ex-
pect nm every moment.
a m
town and has left his patients in my
care, replied DR.. Massey Il am sorry,
but | fear you must put up with me-
for your daughters sake. | wont trou-
bic you longer than can help. In tho
meantime let me put You comfortable. -
Without waiting for permission, the
young doctor went down on his knees,
and in few minutes his skillful hands
had brought comparative case to the in
jured foot
"Now | must 60 back to Miss Turn
bull, he SAID
"Thank yea. You are very kind, 4"
said tho squire to the owner of the red
house.
a year later Squire Turnbull stood
looking glopmily out of has library win
dow. His eyes were fixed on the red
house, and he was using bad language
under his breath.
Suddenly a smile oyerspread his face
rs par of bicycles came skimming
noiselessly up tho carriage drive, bear
ing his daughter Mabel and DR.. Gerard
Massey 10 the front door. The sound of
their laughter was heard in the hall j;
then there was "a knock at the library
door, and the young doctor came in
alone. His handsome face was flushed,
aud he crossed the floor and took up his
position beside the old man at the win
dow.
Squire, he cried impetuously, you
know my secret quite well. | needn't
tell you how dearly love your daugh-
ter Mabel VIII you let me tell her so?'
"Do you mean that you haven't told
her already, sir?" returned the squire
gruffly, hiding his twinkIing eyes with
frownng brows.
mo, | have not told her, but II
think she knows.
Il dare say. Now, young man, tell
me, do you claim her from me as your
right because you saved her life?''
II have no claim but the claim Of a
true love. and only Mabel's true love
for me can respond to it.
And what if l refuse my permits
sion?'
81 shall wait year, until Mabel is
81, and then | shall ask her without
it, replied the young doctor firmly.
"And you think she would say
'Yes?'
eyes, think she would. -
''And so do |, Gerard, my boy, so do
H. cried the old squire heartily. Il
don't see that there is any good in my
holding out and keeping you both wait
ing year for your happiness. But
must make condition. you know. It's
a father right. -
"What is it?" asked Gerard eagerly.
lyon must come and live here.
won't get in your way | only want a
couple of rooms. And you must let me
pull down hat-that-that"
Pull down the red housed" cried
the young doctor in amazement, seeing
that the squire was pointing with Il
trembling finger toward his home.
"Mabel and | will live with you gladly,
if she i'll have me, but why not let the
red house?h
because hate it T. roared the squire
in voice of thunder, letting his pent
up wrath burst upon Gerard S astonished
ears in a single shout. And want my
view of the SEAL
A sudden light flashed into Gerard q
mind, and, with gleeful laugh, he
grasped the squirrels hand.
"Agreedl" he cried.
And then he went to find Mabel.
This is how it came to pass that
Squire Turnbull tore his red rag to
shreds and became man of peace. In
other words, he pulled the red house
to pieces He spent the whole of the sol
itary honeymoon time in the joyful
work of demolition. and when Gerard
and Mabel Massey drove up to the door
on their return they found the old man
standing on the steps, bland and beam
ing and enjoying to the full his extensive
view Of the south downs and tho sea
Folks at Home.
The Dominion.