The herald., 1896-02-10

Exclaimed the girl. Don't punish me for
my unkindness," she added in low voice.
His reply was to snatch his hat from a
peg, and, taking her arm, to lead her down
the steep steps.
| Miss Mather's attack, though sudden and
alarming, was not dangerous. In another
hour Dr. McLaren and Mamie were stand
ing in the garden, the patient safe, and at
| tended by her maid.
1t was lovely night the moon just rising
above the ruined castle, and bathing the
garden in weird glamour The doctor lin
| gered on the pathway, though he seemed to
have nothing more to say.
II am so happy and so thankful" said
Mamie. Dear auntie! was so frightened
| about her.
tor, smiling, "to bring your enemy to your
assistance. And how am to get over this
latest breach of professional etiquette?"
| He laughed, very much as if he did not
mind the consequences.
You must say you did not like calling
the old gentleman up in the middle of the
| night" he added.
Il don't think he will mind" said Mamie.
| 81 hear he is really thinking of retiring.
Who do you suppose told me SOP
! 81 cannot guess answered DR.. McLaren,
suddenly grave.
| Miss Minnie Freke herself. Do you
| really mean that you've not heard of such
possibility"
| The Doctors tone was business-like.
| Indeed I've not. l must go home and
digest it,
| Certainly he is a canny Scot" thought
Mamie. as, with hearty handshake, he
| turned away, and she went indoors thought
| fully.
| He came again next day, and was rather
surprised to find how much at home he
felt. Miss Mather. little more anxious
than he or Mamie, about her old friend,
had written an explanatory note to DR..
Freke.
she said. How delightful If you and he
were to meet and be friends; it would be
the last stronghold taken.''
Mamie looked at the doctor and smiled.
"Auntie means since you have effected a
breach in my fortifications'
NO. said Miss Mather. simply; 81
meant since Minnie and he are such
friends"
"Oh!'' said Mamie, rather crestfallen.
at is perhaps too early for congratula-
tion,' said Miss Mather. who had set her
heart upon this solution to the Doctors diff
culties.
The doctor was very fair, and blushed
easily. But the color which rose now went
back as quickly, and left him pale. He did
| not look at Mamie
Il can only guess to what you refer" he
said, quietly And it is indeed too early
for congratulations. may tell you that
even if had the honor l could never pro-
pose to a rich woman. Consequently" ne
| added, with forced laugh II am not
likely to be subject for matrimony these
many years to come
Dear me!' exclaimed Miss Mather, COM
passlonately that is a pity. A wife is a
great help TO professional man."
The two young people laughed-so uproar-
iously, indeed that the kind old lady was in
clned to feel hurt But the doctor was sud-
denly grave again, and took leave with his
distant manner, as if mindful of his
status in the house-as a professional man.
He did not come again, nor did the young
ladies of Silcott progress, under his tuition,
in golf.
True to his word he entered Castle Vale
as the clock struck 8. Miss Philpotts was
up, and in the garden, cutting flowers for
the table. The doctor appr ached her slowly
for he was afraid. He had sad news, and
he thought she might reproach him for TAX
ing her away from Roses dying bed. But
he was not going to shrk anything. He
| told her all, gently.
"She IS better off; don't greve So" he said
presently.
! Mamie looked up, and her eyes shone.
| Now he thought, 81 shall catch it,
| And he braced himself to meet her indg-
| nant words.
"How god you have been-how kindr' sh
exclaimed. holding out her hands. You did
your best to save her. l know. I 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. Il rather expected a scoldng.''
"A scolding? What for?''
81 ght''-hesitatng-"I might have
| seemed too authoritative last night
| 'Oh, no." and Nannie's eyes We're eo-
quent Then she suddenly remembered her
hands, and withdrew them. 'Will you come
into the greenhouse" she said. 81 have to
cut a chrysanthemum.
He followed her, and stood in the door,
way, while she selected a blossom, talk
ing as she fitted from pot to pot
Il must leave all the white flowers for
Rose. There are not many now. Oh, DR..
McLaren. how strange that with all your
She broke off suddenly, and started
"Do you know. I've such startling thing
to tell you!'
Really"
His tone belied the word. In fact, he
scarcely knew what she was saying, for her
eyes daZzled mis- senses Without knowing
| it, he had left the doorway and was beside
| her. But he woke up at her next words.
| You don't believe me, but DR.. Freke in
stead of retiring, means to take a partner.
| Auntie told me last night. He had been
to see her. and he spoke very nicely-con-
siderng-of you. He said he wished you
we'll"
Indeed" bitterly. Taking a partner
shows it,
| but isn't 1t a chance for you?'
| The doctor laughed grimly. His dream
was over.
Eyes, chance to struggle against greater
odds than ever" he sad and moved away
a step.
NO" said Mamie, gravely, for am
| not againet you"
True in a softened tone chats
great mercy. Well. I shall fight it out"
And the logged look returned.
! Mamie bent over the flowers, and in
leaning to gather a distant one came
| little closer.
why shouldn't you become the doctors
| partner" she asked innocenty.
| There was silence for a moment. Then
| the young man answered in hurt voice:
Must l be forever proclaiming my pow
erty Miss Philpotts?
Miss Phillpotts' face, or what showed of
it, was scarlet as she whispered:
| "But - suppose you could get the
| money!
He laughed, more bitterly than before, in
reply.
"Sometimes-men marry
| His eyes were steel.
81 didn't suspect you of believing 1
could be so mercenary. Miss Freke-to
Whom DeODle kindly assign me-''