Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-06-18

man I'LL InTOuSn Lue meal. lie OD-
served a plenty to distress his heart in
Philbrick's assiduous attention to Lou
Use. and it may be hat his resentment
led him TO think he saw Philbrick
keep his hands unnecessarily below the
table level.
Perhaps that gentleman's hands
were beha wing as they would at any
other table, but TO the doctor they
seemed always TO be searching for
something out of sight. 1t was just as
il he believed that the professor had
operated an electrical contrivance from
his chair, and he was now trying to
discover the mechanism.
IF that is what he is after thought
DR.. Williams, with bitter satisfaction,
his search will be fruitless."
Louise seemed to be somewhat elated
by the absence of her father. She
chartered gaily about what they would
do while Mrs. Williams was acting as
guest and chaperon, and expressed a
hope that the housekeeper might be
long In coming. Amelia gave a quiet,
perfunctory assent 10 all her cousins
suggestions when called on to do so,
and Mr.. Philbrick made various alb
surd suggestions relative to fortifying
the house during Prof. Drummond's
absence. Louise found his remarks
immensely amusing, and now and
again she retorted with sallies that
were saucy rather than witty. Mr..
Philbrick received her shots with be-
coming graciousness, his eyes testify
ing more eloquently than his words
did TO his admiration for his hostess.
DIR. Williams tried vainly TO shake
OF the l~ugubrious discomfort that had
settled upon him and to appear cheer
fuL. He really frightened when Lon
lse rallied him a bit about being de-
priyed of home comforts, and with
hooking tenderness assured him that
ne must make Fairview his home dur
ing the time that his mother would be
installed there. 1t was mockery, but
sweet at that, and the doctor felt hat
he would give half his life to be able
TO call from her some similar express
sions in earnest.
Il shall take every advantage posSi-
bic of your hospitality, Miss Drum
mond, he said. Il would take you at
your word literally, if it were not for
my professional duties"
Mr.. Philbrick heayed a prodigious
sigh.
professional duties do interfere
with a mans highest pleasures. and no
mistake he remarked solemnIy. II
tried to induce the doctor to take \
days sport with NE, and he declined
even that on the score of patients"
1T is d fact" replied the doctor with
freezing dignity, "that NV vocation
prevents me from throwing away time
in idle sport"
Lucky mani" exclaimed Mr.. Phil
brick, but for the life of me I.cannot
see how there can be illness enough
IN this glorious neighborhood TO keep
even one physician busy and / believe
there are two, aren't there doctor?"
DIR. Meadows has retired from
active practice" said the doctor, with
his eyes upon his plate.
Think of THAR cried Mr.. Philbrick.
rapping on the table with his knife. as
IL to call particular attention to his re-
marks; Belmont has actually furnish
ed occupation enough for a physician
to enable him to retire from business.
Or course, doctor, you have received
the mantle of Meadows-observe that
fine ALTERATION, ladies', Meadows
mantle9 and think of it as resting
upon the worthy shoulders of DR.. Will
Jams. l congratulate you, doctor. and.
to continue the ALTERATION, permit me
TO hope that 1t may mean many mil
lions TO you. Therei that's what | call
a triumph"
Had these jibes been uttered in any
other presence than that of Louise and
Amelia the doctor would have disre-
garded them. They would have made
him smart, to be sure, for he was over
sensitive as 10 his dignity as a profess
ional man: but he would have swaI-
lowed them as n OF the unavoidable
ills of professional life. Here they
were nothing short of rank insults, and
his anger ragged hot within him. OF
course, he appeared to ignore them,
even now, but his pale face and down.
cast eyes revealed the resentment that
he expressed. Amelia regarded him
anxiously, and when Louise laughed
merrily and was for continuing the Wis
itor's jocose congratulations In her
w way, her cousin suddenly gave a
little cry of pain and wrapped her nap
kin around her finger.
What sthe natter" cried all three
at once.
Nothing worth mentioning" she re-
piled, with a shamefaced smile. Il
was toying with n toothpick, and a
silver went under my finger-nail."
Let me see," said the doctor, going
! to her.