Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-02-14

the golden legend, doctor Charles
Ii. LavtoD."
The owner OF this name sat at the
window, screened from public view by
buff linen shade, which, only par
tiallv drawn down, allowed him view
OF the opposite bow-window and Its
occupant.
Tue latter was a young lady, seated
half concea'el tehini the crimson
curtains and engaged IN reading.
The doctor was a mani y, stalwart
voung fellow, with healthy COM
plexion, tawny moustache, and frank,
honest blue eyes.
Like many of his type, he was a lit
tie Shy especially with ladies-and
also little awkward on occasion. lie
would get over both in time; but at
present he was only four-amd-twenty,
with very exalted idea Of the charms
of the far sex and very poor estl-
mate Of his own; so no wonder that
he was bashful.
The doctor. shy]y giancing from the
big volume before him to the opposite
house, became aware that the young
lady had changed her position.
She was standing between the cur
tains OF the bow-wlndow, like a full
length portrait, in lace AMI blue silk,
with her hands clasped listlessly be-
lore her, and her eyes fixed upon the
Office window.
"Bless me - exclaimed Doctor Law
for, drawing back, while crimson
blush suffused his face. 81 hope she
cid not see me peepingl"
1t was more than probable that The
young laly had seen him, for sh(
elowly turned away as he drew bacf
Tut OF sight.
Aud the doctor sat ard thought
wondering why she had looked at hi
window, and what she had been think
ing Of with tkat dreamy look IN hel
eyes.
He had known hel now nearly si1
moIth.-ever since he had come tC
this town, newly-Hedged practitioner
and old Miss Halliday had discOv
cred between his family and her own
relationship whose origin was lost IL
the mists OF antiquity, but on the
strength Of which she claimed him az
cousin" ana transferred to him the
Office OF family physician.
No sinecure was it, for she was ono
OF those whimsical persons who are
always imagining themselves sick and
sending for the doctor
In his frequent visits to her, he hal
seen enough Of her fair niece to render
falling i'll love a simple matter o
course, considering the young lady
clarms and his own susceptibility.
But as TO anything further, 1t wa
not to be thought of; for was no
Mabel Stanton belle and an heiress
with all the most eligible men in thC
Town Mt her feet? And for himseI
what had he to offer her, save his grea
heart and his magnificent sell?
As the young doctor sat, with som
snca thoughts as these passing through
his mind, respectful tap at his doc
disturbed him.
Itwas only ChristOpher-or or Chrsty
ms he was called-the coloreI man whC
had charge of his small establishment
'Ef Yer please, Marse Doctor, sale
tais ndivi ,uaI, advancing with dig
nilied but somewhat embarrassed air
81 has great favor to ax yer, e
'tain't too much trouble.
The doctor was good naturej, an'
lie answered at once:
"Certainly. Christy. Let us knoV
what you want.
wal, sar, yer knows as tomorrow
Vo'untnes Day?'
so it l., sail the doctor glancin:
at the printed calendar above tn
mantlepiece.
"And what l wants to ak yer, sAr,
resumed ChriSty, bashfully, lis t
please to &e good enough to write m
{ Voluntine,'
"a Valentine. Cfristy?"
Christy decorou,ly paced his har
l., oOpoaol a OrIH q