Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-11-05
YIu.-CoNTINUED.

toAAOWOo Sio"AJ Ii LIS wan, ~
ting the bay choose his own gait. DR..
Banks proposition had taken me by
surprise; moreover, it had served to
rouse me to a realization of the com
pleteness with which my future was
subject to the caprices of fate. For the
present, to be sure, there was no cause
for anxiety; but a week might change
the situation completely. Suppose
Lamar should choose to depart; there
was no certainty that he would not
leave me behind. Suppose he should
die; it was hardly probable that [
should profit by any bequest. Suppose
his enemies should discover his retreat
and descend upon him; the result. so far
as was concerned, would be the same.
This last danger seemed to be the least
imminent of the three, but it was as
we'll to reckon it in. had been in his
pay for the better part of year, but,
in reality, was my position improved?
I had lived in comfort, free from the
cares which had burdened me in the
city. I had accumulated a few hundred
dollars, and physically l had been n
gamer by the removal 10 the country.
That was one side of the ledger. On
the other could be read loss of the lit
tie progress had made in my profes
sion, absence of settled purposes of any
sort. and a growth of that often disas
trous docility which follows unques-
tioning subsection to another's strong
will. Things could not go on as they
were indefinitely. Sooner or later the
end must come. And then? Was L
prepared TO devote myself to the narrow
field of country practitioner, useful
and honorable as it was? Banks had
done me a great service; he had reused
me in most timely fashion; but the
awakening had been far from pleasant.
From habit my horse came to Ii stand
still in front of the village post Office,
and equally from habit I entered the
place and asked for my mail. A letter,
a medical journal, and a newspaper
were handed out, and, mechanically
thrusting them into my pocket, [
walked to the buggy. climbed in, and
turned my nag,s head homeward. Still
possessed by doubts and speculations,
rode to the farmhouse, and, reaching
it, locked myself in my office, there to
endeavor to arrive at some conclusion,
to choose a way out of my uncertainty.
1 sat there for hours before I achieved
decision, and it was hardly more than
a compromise. In justice to DIR. Banks,
I would tell him it was out of my power
to enter into permanent arrangement
with him, for eventually l should seek
a more populous district; if he cared
for temporary alliance, such terms as
he offered should be accepted.
Catching sight of the newspaper in
my pocket, l drew it out, and, as did
so, the letter fell from it's folds to the
floor. l picked it mp and read the adj
dress, written in n feminine hand, all
angles and straight lines, like the frame
work of a house. yet clear and legi,.le.
The postmark was New York. With
waxing curiosity, for my correspond
ence was limited, broke the seal.
MY dear DIR. Norris" the letter ran,
my aunt, Mrs. Loring, desires to learn
whether it will be convenient for you
to receive her as patient. and whether
rooms can be secured for us near your
Office. She has tried number of treat
ments since the voyage from Rio. but
none of them has been of marked bene-
fit to her. She remembers gratefully
the success attending your ministra-
tons on shipboard. and feels confident
that your skill will bring her the relief
she has sought so long. She asks me to
add that this plan was in her mind when
our chance meeting made il possible to
secure your address.
yours very sincerely,
DOROTHY GRAY"