The National tribune., 1896-03-26


fallen upon evil days, higher up the emf
nence with its front door opening upon Il
! flight of steps leading to the village street
Here the young aspirant, boldly challenging
success, had taken lodgings and put up his
brass plate. At first nobody dared to face
Dr. Freke's indignant denunciaton and call
him in, but gradually convenience, dissatis-
faction with the old Doctors methods, Curl
osty, or friendly desire to help the new
conner had moved one and another TO give
him chance. and SO on this pleasant Sum
mer morning DIR. McLaren was in fair way
to conquer that difficult enemy, country con-
servatism.
But he had not conquered his neighbor's
prejudice. Miss Phillpotts carried her dis
| like 10 such an extent that the blinds in the
drawing-room bay window, which was on
The second floor, were always kept drawn on
| the side of the house nearest Castle Grove
She bit her lips every time she remem bered
her enforced introduction, which had been
! brought about by The accident of an old man
being knocked down by cyclist in the read
before the two houses Miss phiilpotis
rushed out of her gale just as Dr. McLaren
flew down his steps, and they bent over the
unconscious victim together
it was 10 the interlOper that all her indig-
nation OF the score of these dreadful
cyclists" was poured out, while he listen
ed respectfully, tending the old man in the
meantime with careful skill. Then Mi
hather came up, and her niece, suddenly
recolleciing herself, was silent and severe
The Doctor, however, carried away with
him an impressionist picture of lovely
flushed face. eyes sparkling with righteous
anger, while they appealed for sympathy in
,Kalty II
sufferer breaking through the exaggerated
denuncaiions of his injurer, who had stood
in abiect penitence, until the Doctor, looking
up, had pronounced old Siillman,s bones
were all intact.
The Doctor had need of some pleasant
vision to cheer his difficult way, hut never
again could he get Miss Phillpotts's eyes TO
meet his own.
There were others, however not so ohdu-
rate, and five minutes after the conversa-
tion recorded, Miss Phillpoiis had a shock
just as The old woman who had buitonholed
her pet aversion" as she called Dr. Nc
Laren, had been satisfied and was moving
Oh, two of DIR. Freke's daughters crossed
the square, smiles on their lips. and recor-
milton in their eyes. Miss PhiIlpotts. who
had wandered TO the gate-not, of course, to
look after the Doctor, but 10 see whether old
Betsy Martin, her protege, had actually
dared 10 consult him in full view of Castle |
Vale-could hardly believe her own eyes.
DIR. Freke rtjOiced in the possession of |
five daughters, none of whom had as yet |
been torn from the paternal nest, though |
the youngest was OF mature and sensible |
age. Mamie Phillpotts had been a baby |
when this Young lady left school, but of late |
years the difference between them had |
nsSn hri1 ha 80 -. -
as they were called, cultivated her society |
on quite equal and familiar terms. Minnie |
Freke, the youngest, was Nannie's special |
friend, and 1t was to her that the most vio- |
lent remarks about DIR. McLaren had been |
addressed, and had met with full sympathy. |
Yet here she was, actually going out of her |
way TO speak to her fathers enemy while |
Cara, the serious one, WHO had never been
known TO look at any man but a curate.
her sisters affirmed, was smiling in the most
familiar manner
She was destined TO be disgusted with sew I
eral other old friends before long In her |
absence more than one of her pensioners
whom she ruled with benevolent despotism, |
had gone over TO the enemy
Th' new doctor, he do understand nv
breathin,," apologized one old body, worn |
with asthma, as DIR. Freke he never did.
LOT, HISS, he Euv me sumlnat as eased ii |
right of, most wonderful"
He took cur little Tummas when he was
a-dyin' with them fits, and the neighbors
they said to let him die an not disturb i'm
no more, an e popped i'm round e did"
Such was the grateful testimony of another,
a mother of six. DIR. Freke, 'e calls ont
o th' window when my man goes to fetch
m, an e says, says 'e, Civ i'm another
dose of beckupeck whanny wine an I'll
come in the mornin'' But Tummas ED
a bin dead come mornin' Lor', Miss, if
you'd a. been mother you'd stick to the
doctor as come out Of lis bed to your baby"
Unanswerable.ogic, this ) but it only hard
ened our willful Mamie. She scolded and
reproached, and became more vindictive
against the young Doctor as his popularity
increased.
They could not fail TO meet sometimes,