The Press., 1897-11-18
PHEMIE.

Its no use trying" said Phemie. Mother hates me. and everything do is wrong"
 Your mother can't help it, Phe- mic. said Dr Jasper He was the new medical man, in huge favor with Mrs. Albatross, Phemie's mother.
 Your mother is highly strung-quite a woman of genius. and allowances must be made for her temperament, my dear young lady Temperament rules everything,
 Indeed, Mrs. Albatross' temperament seemed to rule Dr Jasper. the parson. the squire. the parish. but it did not rule Phemie
 Look here, ," said the girl-she was just past 2O-'you and mother are al ways croaking about me, know, but you do nothing to help me. At least think you would. but you re afraid''-
 Your mother used to take an inter est in you. but you did not meet her half way Is not that soF''
 No, it isn't When 1 was l6, she had a fad of dressing me up in last cen tury costume and making a doll of me mot my style at all-Just to show of her own clevarness and Queerness at my expense She said was ugly and only dressing could make me fit to be seen
 "Well?'' said Dr Jasper, who was a rising young medico of 80. as he looked gravely and Judicially at the pretty much trieH girl, who ouly half believed in his good will
 We'll" said Phemie. every one laughed, and showed mother 1 would not stand it. D
 And then?'
 'Then she packed me off to school The mistress said was sort of dazed for a time, as if had been ill treated and SO had-and quite neglected, but they were kind to me there, and wal very happy for more than year, except in the holidays, which were always odi ous Then you came along"- AnC Phemie paused and stole a doubtful glance at the doctor
 What then?' said the doctor. like [ person coldly inquiriug for ordinary in formation, yet with certain littl' twinkle in his eye hich did not escap' | the aggrieved Phemie. Then. said the girl, II though you were my friend at first, but l don T now. At least -
 At this moment Mrs Albatross en tered, and. turning sharply on Phemie said with snap, II suppose yoy haven t fed the fowls or sorted the lin en or done anything but idle away you | time, as usual?'
 "I was called when Dr. Jasper cam because you could not be found" | Il m sick of your excuses. Dr. Jas l per does not want to see you. Then l in quite all altered tone, as Phemi l shrunk away out of the room: ID you mind coming up to my sitting room? 1 want to have a talk with yo1 about those changes at the intirmary am sure you will agree with me an, you will be most useful We can't al low things to go on, ," etc
 Dr Jasper always did agree wit | Mrs Albatross, but somehow he mold ed her, and she usually came round t his opinion He listened and she talked He could wait, and when he had take her bearings-without ever interrupt ing or contradicting-she listened all he talked, and not then, but next time she echoed his opinions and fancie they were all her own.
 1t is such a comfort to find a sensi ble man to talk to in stupid place lik this, said she, laying her arm COT fidingly upon the doctors as he SC smiling and agreeing with her.
 Mrs. Albatross had worried one hut band into the grave-she was too cleve for him-but her inte llectual vivacity imagination and enterprise made he an interesting companion. She ws only little past 40. and very well prt served, and she meant to marry Dl Jasper
 l Whether it was hypnotism or wi power the doctor came again and agai and would not send in his bill. and tt doctors bill never was paid He pal