Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-02-20

Mamie. Dear auntie! was 30 frightened
about her, 8
| you must have been" answered the doc
tor. smiling, ito bring your enemy to your
5ss And how am to get over this
latest breach Of professional etiQustte?"
/ He laughed, very much az II he did not
mind the consequences.
You must say you did not like calling
the old gentleman up In the middle Of the
night" he added
Il don't think he will mind" said Mamie.
Il hear he is really thinking Of retiring.
Who do you suppose told me SOP
Il cannot guess" answered DR.. McLaren,
suddenly grave.
Miss Minnie Freke, herself. Do you
really mean that you've not heard Of such
possibility?'
Indeed I've not. l must 90 home and
digest it."
Certainly he is a canny Scot" thought
Mamie, as with hearty handshake, he
turned away, and she went indoors thought
fully.
! He came again next day, and was rather
surprised to find how much at home he
felt. Miss Mather, little more anxious
than he or Mamie, about her old friend,
had written an explanatory note to DR..
Freke
And he may be here at any moment"
she said. How delightful if you and he
were to meet and be friends; it would be
the idSI SlTOuSQOlQ taken.
! 1T is perhaps too early for congratula-
! tion," said Miss Mather, who had set her
heart upon this solution to the doctors diff
! culties.
| The doctor was very fair, and blushed
easily. But the color which rose now went
back as quickly, and left him pale. He did
not look at Mamie.
! Il can only guess to what you refer he
said, quietly. And it is indeed too early
for congratulations. I may tell you that
/ even il l had the honor l could never pro-
pose to a rich woman. Consequently" he
added, with a forced laugh, II am not
likely to be subject for matrimony these
many years to come"
Dear me"' exclaimed Miss Mather, COM
passionately, that is a pity A wife is a
great help to professional man"
The two young people laughed-so uproar-
iously, indeed, that the kind old lady was in
clined to feel hurt. But the doctor was sud.
denly grave again, and took leave with his
| distant manner, as If mindful of his
status in the house-as a professional man
He did not come again, nor did the younG
ladies OF S!lcott progress, under his tuition,
in golf
True to his word he entered Castle Vale
as the clock struck s. Miss Phillpotts was
! up, and in the garden, cutting flowers for
the table The doctor apprc ached her slowly
|
he thought she might reproach him for TAX
ing her away from Roses dying bed But
he was not going to shirk anything. He
told her ALL gently.
"She is better of; don't grieve so,'' he said
presently.
| Mamie looked up, and her eyes shone.
Now" he thought, II shall catch it."
And he braced himself to meet her indig-
nant words.
How good you have been-how kindv she
exclaimed, holding out her hands you did
your best to save her. l know. ! can never
forget it,
He took the offered hands and pressed
them in the warmth of his relief against his
br Sss. r,o, uo,, ,u.r, ;. ,.m.u.s g..
vepty. II rather EXPECTED a scolding,"
| "A scolding? What for?"
II thought '-hesitating-'T might have
seemed too authoritatiYe last night
ooh, no" and Nannie's eyes We're elo-
equent Then she suddenly remembered her
hands, and withdrew them. "Will you come
into the greenhouse" she said. II have to
cut chrysanthemum."
He followed her, and stood in the door
way, while she selected a blossom, talk
ing as she fitted from pot to pot
II must leave all the white flowers for
Rose. There are not many now Oh, DR..
McLaren how strange that with all your
cleverne ss-'
She broke off suddenly. and started a
| fresh theme.
'Do you know, I've such a startling thing
| to tell your"
! "Really!'
His tone belied the word. In fact, he
| scarcely knew what she was saying for her
eyes dazzled mis- senses. Without knowing
it, he had left the doorway, and was beside
her. But he woke up at her next words
Int Or Ero1ya IN,
| stead of retiring, means to take a partner.
| Auntie told me last night. He had been
to see her, and he spoke very nicely-con-
sidering-of you. He said he wished you
we'll"
Indeed" bitterly. Taking a partner
shows it,
"But isn't 1t chance for your
The doctor laughed grimly His dream
was over.
Yes a chance to struggle against greater
odds than ever" he said, and moved away
step.
No SAID Mamie, gravely. 'for am
| not againet you"
"True," in a softened tone, chats a
great mercy. Well, shall fight it out"
And the logged look returned.
Mamie bent over the flowers, and in
leaning to gather a distant one came a
little closer.
why shouldn't you become the doctors
partner?" she asked innocently.
There was silence for a moment. Then
| the young man answered in a hurt voice:
Must be forever proclaiming my pow
erty, Miss Phillpotts?'
Miss Phillpotts' face, or what showed of
| it, wa scarlet as she whispered:
But - suppose you could get the
money!"
He laughed, more bitterly than before, in
! reply.
"Sometimes-men marry"
His eyes were STEEL
81 didn't suspect you of believing I
could be so mercenary. Miss Freke-to
whom people kindly assign me-
There are other girls who have money
beside Minnie Freke," faltered Mamie, and
then The flowers swan around her.
When she came to herself she was being
held very closely against a shabby blacl
coat, and the heart underneath 1t was
beating as fast as her own.
LET me go"' she exclaimed, but she
made no effort to free herself so the doctor
very properly continued to support her,
though he was trembling himself.
81 believe" he whispered, chat you
know l have loved you ever since 1 first
saw you"
"Of course" she murmured, and she
laughed, though the tears rested on her
long lashes. "Is it likely I should have
proposed--yes, proposed to you-if I had
not guessed? And-ch,'' she added mo-
ment later, from a still more close retire
ment, chow dense you have nr'-House-
hold Words.