Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-08-13
XIV. ~

The evening breeze had died out, and
the night was still and starlit. with o
soft GOODNESS unspeakably refreshing
otter the close air of the office.
"You must make me q promise" l
said to the girl. FOR the next two
hours you must be entirely under my
orders. VIII you promise7"
YES" she answered. mechanically.
"Then, first of all, get hat and wrap.
and rejoin me here Us quickly Us you
can"
Without question she obeyed, return.
ing to find me equipped with pipe and
tobacco-pouch and awaiting her. We
passed through the gate, and turned
into the road leading to the village.
with your permission III light this
pipe" observed.
She nodded absently, though l doubt
if she understood word had said.
Tobacco" resumed, after pause,
in the course Of which a pleasant glow
had been created in the bowl OF the
pipe, "is n wonderful agent OF comfort.
1t surprises me sometimes that only
one sex hereabouts enjoys its blessings
Both Of us have seen or heard Of coun-
tries where the ladies blow clouds with
all the grace imaginable. Why not in
troduce the fashion here?"
She looked up at the question, but
made no reply.
"Ihere was q preceptor of mine !
went on, "Who made a study OF the eff
fects of nicotine, and who wrote some
very able pamphlets on the subject.
Among other things, he proved, to his
own satisfaction, that even the nodcr-
ate use of tobacco impaired memory,
injured the vision, and caused various
other ills. lie got to be an extremist
at last, putting the weed under a sweep
ing ban. But all through his life no
factory chimney smoked more indus
triously than he. Finally some Of his
associates cornered him, and demanded
why he didn't follow his own advice.
"I'd be stultifying myself if | did,
said he, coolly.
"'How?' asked the inquis,tors in
chorus.
"'Isn't it the first duty of man to
obey his physician?'
"'Certainly,' they admitted. But
you won't Let your patients smoke
"'Of course 1 WON'T said he. 1T
isn't good for 'em. But Jimmy Bangs
is my doctor; at least he's called in
when any body's sick at my house
o.! "'Well" said they.
$50 he's my family physician, you
see,' quoth the specialist; and he
doesn't believe that tobacco ever hurt
anybody
Come" persisted, after waiting in
vain for her to speak. What do you
think of my old preceptor"'
II hardly understood the story" she
answered, with On effort.
well, it's true tale" said J. land
therefore I'll repeat it,"
This time she heard it all.
"Do doctors often reason so logical.
ly?" she asked.
"Sometimes they do. Did you know
that many specialists die Of the diseases
they've studied most carefully? ply
stefan, heal thyself'-that's advice they
IND 1t difficult to folloW.
Again she fell silent
For n summer night, this is good
one for star-gazing," vcntured. do
you keep up your astronomy"
I'm afraid not"
Zone really should; it's worth the
WHILE" SAID I; but she let the topic
drop.
"By the wey, Miss Gray. do you
think that, in any circumstances, black
may appear white?" I asked.
She turned to me, with quick, i'm.
patient movement.
"Why do you ask such questions?"
she demanded. "How can you speak of
trihes, after that-that-" Her voice
gave way, and l thought heard a sob.
'Listen," said /, earnest!y. 'In that
lies the reason for my rambling talk.
hadn't intended To tell you so, but it's
the fact. Now you might as well hear
all. When you finished your ride you
were worn out. Apparently you hadn't
been run away with, but evidently the
horse had kept you at work. Then
came the call for you to help US. 1t
braced you up, of course. but the strain,
coming after the first one, left You a
bundle Of exposed nerves, SO to speak.
1t wouldn't do to let you go to your
room in such n state. Why, you would
have had night of horrors, lying
awake for hours, tossing, turning, try
ing to shake off the nervousness which
held you prisoner. If you fell into q