The National tribune., 1896-03-26

wills between the two. Mamie raised hel
dark eyes slowly, and met the blue ones
Her under lip quivered. 1t was not al
williulness; she wanted to stay with Rose.
% can't let you run the risk" said the
Doctor, more earnestly than he knew. And
Mamie rose meekly enough.
He drew her cape about her as they passed
into the street.
at is dark" said he. "You'd better take
my arm. You are not angry with me?" be
murmured, as she obeyed. Il can see you
are not well. And, besides, how could
leave you there, under the roof of that
drunken brute? You shall know how she
is before breakfast. I'll call on my way
back"
True to his word he entered Castle Vale
as the clock struck eight Miss PhiIIpotts
was up and in the garden cutting flowers ior
the table. The Doctor approached heI
slowly, for he was afraid He had sad news
and he thought she might reproach him for
taking her away from Roses dying bed.
But he was not going to shirk anything.
He told her all gently.
=" She is better off; don't grieve ,"he said
presently.
Mamie hooked up, and her eyes shoue.
Now" he thought, :" / shall catch it,"
And he braced himself TO meet her indig-
nant words.
How good you have been-how kind" !"
she exclaimed, holding out both her hands
You did your best to save her. know.
can never forget it."
He took the offered hands and pressed
them, in the warmth of his relief, against
his breast.
"How good you are!" he answered fer
vently. al rather expected scolding."
"A scoldingl What ior?n
Il thought" hesitating, :" / might have
seemed too authoritative last night"
Oh, no" and Nannie's eyes were eloquent.
Then she suddenly remembered her hands
and withdrew them. "Will you come into
| the greenhOuse?s she said Il have to cut
chrysanthemum."
He followed her, and stood in the door
way while she selected a blossom, talking as
she fitted from pot to pot
" must leave all the white flowers for
Rose. There are not many now. On, DIR.
McLareD, how strange that with all your
cleve ness -
She broke off suddenly and started fresh
theme.
Do yon know, Pve such startling thing
to tell youl"
"Really?n
HIS tone belied the word. In fact. he
scarcely knew what she was saying, for her
eyes dazzled his senses. Without knowing
1t he had left the doorway, and was hes de
her. But he woke up at her next words.
- You don't believe me. But DIR. Freke
instead of retiring, means to take q partner.
Auntie told me last night He had been to
see her, and he spoke very nicely consider
ing-Uf you. He said he wished you we'll"
lndeed!" bitterly Taking q partner
shows it,"
Bur isn't il chance for you?D
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
against you"
True," in softened tone. "That's
great mercy. We'll, shall fight it out"
And The dogged look returned.
Mamie bent over the flowers, and in
leaniog to gather distant one came little
closer.
Why shouldn't you become the Doctors
partner" she asked innocently.
There was silence for moment. Then
the young man answered in hurt voice:
Must be forever proclaiming my pow
erty, Miss Phiilpots?"
bliss mn pm IS \ Iace or what showed OF
1t, WAS scarlet as she whispered
But-suppose you could get the money!"
he laughed, more bitterly than before, in
reply.
Some times-men marry
His eyes were steel
/ didn't suspect you of believing could |
be SO mercenary. Miss Freke-to whom |
people kindly assign mel
There are other girls who have money |
besides Minnie Freke," laltered Mamie, and /
then the flowers swan around her.
When she came to herself she was being
held very closely against a shabby black |
coat, and the heart underneath it was beat
ing as fast as her own.
Let me goi" she exclaimed but she made
no effort to free herself, so the Doctor very
properly continued to support her, though
he was trembling himself
believe" he whispered. that you know
have loved you ever since first saw you.n
Then some of NaDuie's spirit returned.
"Ot course" she murmured and she
laughed, though the tears rested on her long
lashes. " Is it likley ! should have-pro-
posed, yes, proposed to you-if | had not
guessed? And-oh," ;" she added, moment
later, from still more close retirement,
" how dense you have been. ."-Househoid
ITOrdS