The morning times., 1897-02-28

to the eye and ear, and seemed to have a
great number of patients calling during
his consultation hours. Of from . o'clock
to 4. This appeared in the social col
umns OF several newspapers, and really
did not, on IS face, appear to be the ad-
vcrtisemcut il actually was.
Now, Mrs. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS who
wouldn't for the worldhave had it known;
for she frequently remarked that it
was so very vulgar TO gaze ont of ones
front windows, and an unmistakable mark
of plebeianism to dose" nevertheless gazed
out of herfront windows, discreetly Y screened
by the lace curtains. at the doctor s sign
opposite, and said to herself, as she saw
that handsomely-dressed widow ascend
ing the doctors steps for the third consec-
utive morning
''WeA he seems to have q pretty good
practice, and regular, too l counted eight
patients before lunch yesterday, and every
one OF them was there for some time
Three of them came in elegant carriages
which goes to prove that he has wealthy
class of patients. l believe I'll 60 and
have my eyes examined. I'm lust diving
to see if that is Mrs. Van YIecker. That
person certainly does look very much like
her, and she is so sensitive about her
deafness, it would be just her style to
come all veiled up like that, SO people
wouldn't know she is taking treatment
"People do say she won't even admit
that she is deaf. Well, some people are
very peculiar of course, one doesn't like
to acknowledge that ones eyesght is fail
ing from age; but it's very easy TO say
that one is nearsighted or something; but
deafness is different, and ear-trumpets
will never be either fashionable or becom-
ing as glasses are; so / don't blame the
Widow Van, if she does go to a specialist
in secret. I'll just run over and make sure
If it is really she.'
So the stately Mrs. WitheringtOn-C Car
ruthers donned her smart street gown and
bonnet and rang the doctors bell. As
she did so, the heavily yelled widow passed
out, Mrs. Witherington Carruthcrs bit
her lips impatiently as the dimness of the
lights in the hail. aud the black veil pre-
vented her from seeing the widows fea-
lures, but lone thing was certain, she
had blonde hair. and everybody knew that
Mrs. Van Ylecker had blondined.''
She turned. smiling, to tile doctor, who
was a handsome fellow and really very
English, charmingly English you know.
one could see that at a glance with his
fair hair and some what florid complex xion.
and his ''Aw, good-day, madam. Madam
will please state her trouble at once, as
he has an important case to see in exactly
fifteen minutes. Madam will please walk
into the operating room. All. the eyes.
Why. yes; certainly there was something
wrong with them Oh, yes. she must have
glasses. Strange. too, in view Of the very
evident fact of madam's youthfulness She
evidently has an aStigmatism or something
of that character, ETC., etc, until Mrs.
Witherin gton -Carruthers was convinced
that she really was ear-sighted or some
thing::' for didn't the doctor himself say
that she was too young to need glasses
from failing sight" Then, with preScrip-
| ton for the glasses and smiling ten dol
| lars" madam, in response to her question
| as to his fee. Mrs. Witherington-Carru
| ers was bowed out. just as that han dsome
carriage drove up, from which alighted
| that elegantly dressed brunette whom she
| had observed only yesterday. As she pur-
posely fingered she heard DR.. Darlington
say with glance at his watch:
| Really, Mrs. Maybriek, I'm sorry to
| disappoint you, but it's really impossible
| for me to treat your eyes this morning.
| An important case is awaiting con sulta-
| tion with me at this moment. No; I pro-
| test I must refuse you. You will have
| to come this afternoon at 8. And the doc
| tor quietly closed the door, and Mrs.
| Witherngt ont Carruthers saw the evidently