The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1897-06-30

plpe, oOseINeu.
She nodded absently, though doubt
II she understood a word had said.
Tobacco" resumed, after pause,
in the course of which a pleasant glow
had been created in the bowl Of the
pipe, "is wonderful agent of comfort.
1t surprises me sometimes that only
one sex hereabouts enjoys its blessings.
Both of us have seen or heard cf coun-
tries where the ladies blow clouds with
all the grace imaginable. Why not in
troduce the fashion here?"
She looked up at the question, but
made no reply.
"There was preceptor of mine,
went on, "who made study o! the ei-
fects of nicotine, and who wrote some
very able pamphlets on the subject.
Among other things, he proved, TO his
own satisfaction, that even the moder-
ate use of tobacco impaired memory.
in jured the vision, and caused various
other ills. He got to be an extremist
mt last, putting the weed under sweep
ing ban. But all through his life no
factory chimney smoked more indus
triously than he. Finally some of his
associates cornered him, ard demanded
why he didn't follow his own advice.
"rd be stultifying myself il I did,
said he, coolly.
".How?' asked the inquis;tors in
chorus.
Isn't it the first duty of a man to
obey his physician
Certainly they admitted. But
you won't let your patients smoke
"'Of course l WON'T said he. 1t
isn't good for 'em. But Jimmy Bangs
is my doctor; at least he's called in
when nnybody's sick ut my house
"'Well?' said they.
$50 he's my family physician, you
see.' qnoth the specialist; and he
doesn't believe that tobacco ever hurt
anybody
Come" persisted, after waiting in
vain for her TO speak. what do you
think of my old pIeceptor?"
Il hardly understood the story" she
answered, with an effort.
well. it's u true tale" said 7, "and
therefore I'll repent it,
This time she heard il all.
"Do doctors often reason SO logical
ly?" she asked.
Sometimes they do. Did you know
that many specialists die OF the diseases
they've studied most carefully? 'Phy-
sician, heal thyselr-that's advice they
find it difficult to follow"
Again she fell silent.
For summer night, this is good
one for stnr-gazing," ! ventured. 'Do
you keep up your astronomy?"
I'm afraid not
"One really should; it's worth tho
WHILE" said /; but she let the topic
drop.
by the way, Miss Gray, do you
think that, in any circumstances, black
may appear white?" asked.
She turned to me, with quick, inn
patient movement
why do you ask such questions?'
she demanded. "How can you speak of
trifles, after that-that-" Her voice
gave way, and thought heard u sob.
-- Listen" said !, earnestly. "In that
lies the reason for my rambling talk 1
hadn't intended tn tell you SO, but it's
the fact. Now you might as well hear
all. When you finished your ride you
were worn out. Apparently you hadn't
been run away with, but evidently the
horse had kept you at work. Then
came the call for you to help us. 1t
braced you up, of course, but the strain,
coming after the first one, left you u
bundle of exposed nerves, SO to speak.
1t wouldn't do to let you go to your
room in such state. Why, yo" would
have had night of horrors, lying
awake for hours, tossing. turning. try
ing TO shake of the nervousness which
held you prisoner. II yor fell into o
doze il would be to wake as suddenly rs
il under n shock of electricity, to wake
to find your muscles rigid and your
heart pounding like hammer. And
even when physical wcarincss overcamc
you at last, your sleep would be broken
by dreams a dozen times more terrible
than the experiences you've gone
through. i know what you are think.
ing. and l tell you your thoughts must
be turned irto another channel. It's to
try to turn them that I've brought you
out here. that I've gabbled about moth
ings."
II understand" she said, softly. II
understand. and thank YOU from the
bottom of my heart. II spoke irrita-
bly,. won't you pardon me? I'm sorry,
SO sorry. now that understand
There's nothing to pardon. unless
it is the brusqueness with which I've
blurfed out my reasons TO: getting you
away from the house"
you are not brusque," she said, and
walked on in silence. 1 could guess
how she was striving to dismiss the
scenes of the evening from her mind. At
last she spoke of b. aunt, expressing re-
gret that she had left the invalid to seek
hrr caucb upaseisfeI
Don't worry said ]. Mrs. Clark
will be only too happy to take your
place tonight. Besides, it 10 probably
just as we'll that Mrr. Loriag should not
have an immediate opportunity 10 over
whelm You with questions. That