Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-08-20
CHAPTER Y.
4 Girls Triumph.

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profound and serious thought. The
humorous view of what had happened
and what might happen seemed to De
dominant, for the hangers on at theI
hotel accustomed to his CHEEKY, ia
miliar ways, noticed that ne was more
jocose than usual
Meantime DR.. Williams had marched
up the branch road for two or three
miles, stopping only when he realized
the nervous exhaustion that followed
his great passion 1t was not that he
was fatigued by eNertion, Tor he was a
powerful young man and all through
his boyhood he had been accustomed
to hard work. 1t was simply nervous
reaction that had set in and made him
pause to catch his breath and sink
YEARLY down upon a rock by the road
side He understood himself in this
respect, and, his mind clear from the
fumes of passion, he resolutely endeaN-
ored to think out hls situation.
1t took him an hour or more, and II
is not necessary here TO review the
mental processes by means of which he
arrived at a decision. In brief, he
thought of his love in its relation to
the tragedy at Fairview, the truth OF
which he must learn, if for no other
purpose than to prevent Louise from
knowing it. He must feel free to call
there, and to this end he must know in
what light he was to regard Mr. Phil
brick. 1t seemed to him altogether the
more manly course to have an under
standing with Louise before she should
be nominally under his mothers care.
So he started once more for F&irview,
making two professional calls on the
way.
In one of the houses he asked the
privilege of washing his hands. 1t
seemed to him that they must be
stained from contact With PhilbriCk,
the very thought of whom he loathed.
The doctor naturally glanced into a
mirror as he was wiping his hands and
was somewhat disturbed to observe
that one of his eyes was swollen, aud
that there was red mark on his chin.
Il hadn't realized that he hit me at
ALL" he reflected. Il wonder if Louise
will notice it,
He argued that she wouldn't. The
marks were not very prominent, neither
Of the patients on whom he called had
spoken of them, and when it came to
that, much as he regretted the fight, he
felt that he should feel better to con
fess his aggressive share in the en-
counter to Louise. Little as she was
honored by the affair, it was all for he.
sake that his passion had famed.
whether she thinks i'll of me or
not" he said to himself, lit is only
fair to her that she should have every
opportunity to know me rs really am,
Weaknesses and all.
With this honorable reflection he
continued on his way. He had counted
on finding the young ladies together,
very busy over something or other; he
had assured himself that something
would be in his way, some unforeseen
obstacle that he must overcome, and
he was resolved 10 overcome it, to
speak at once even if he had to do so in
the presence of Amelia. so he
mounted the steps with desperate firm
ness, much as soldier might advance
against line OF leyeled muskels
Fortune, it seemed, had favored him.
Amelia WAS upstairs making ready a
chamber for Mrs Williams, and Louise
was busy between dining room and
kitchen. Amelia saw the doctor from
an upper window, but she did not de-
scend She surmised the nature of his
Grand and, though she wondered
whether anything lad occurred be-
tween him and Mr. Philbrick. she could
not at the distance see any sign of the
conflict
The doctor saw Louise in the dining
room. and, as the front door was open,
he walked in upon her without ringing.
All" ha exclaimed, with a natural,
CHEEKY smile, where is Mrs. Williams
It's a little earlier than the boy said.
Mother isn't with me. Miss Drum
mond."
oh, but she will come, won't She"
y have no doubt Of It ! haven
seen her"
Haven't you been home? WHY,
what's the matter with your face, doc
ror?"
I've been to call on so patients
III tell you about my face later. I've
something else 10 say first
Like all honest lovers. Dr. Williams
was conscious Of some trepidation as
ne began the fateful interview but he
squared himself for the ordeal and
spoke earnestly and straight to the
point Louise. Of course saw what was
coming She lowered her eyes at first +
thinking Of her house dress we'll
worn garment that she had put on
after the gentlemen had departed
Miss Drummond" he said after
slight pause, Il am compelled by cir
cumstances to speak sooner than per-
haps I would nave otherwise. but feel
that Il Is my duty to tell you now
that love you
Your duty she repeated inquir-
ingly. as she raised her eyes
Yes; my mother is coming here |