The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1897-06-09

ing; and her thanks pursued me as l
FASTENED down the stairs and out of the
house. Once out of range of her sight
end voice. 1 paused to wipe my fore
head, as a man will after finishing q
long and trying task, no matter wheth-
er he be philosopher or navy. l had
4 very kindly feeling for Mrs. Loring,
end it was as much a part of my busi-
ness to listen to her plants as it was to
cndeayor to remove their cause, but
no amount of reiteration of the fact
sutficed to reconcile Inc to the infiic-
tion. She spoke SO rapidly, and with SO
many exclamations, that her talk
Jared on ones nerves as quickly as u
brisk but irregular hammering. The
,ot of her niece as her constant COM
panion was not to be envied; it was
strange that it was not the girl VINO
was in need of medical attendance.
What an agreeable patient Miss Gray
would have been! But, after all, 1 re-
fected, Dorothy Gray well was to be
preferred to Dorothy Gray i'll. And the
Eext reflection, in natural sequence,
was, where was she to be found?
No one was visible about the Clark
premises; evidently the young lady
was out for stroll. Somewhat regret
fully, crossed the road to Mrs Weston,
who was enjoying one of her rare res
pites from household duties.
1--WE got a new hired man." she pro-
claimed; 'come long to-day, and l
jes' hired him on the spot. My, but
it's relief! Till them boys grow up,
I'll never feel real easy unless we've a
good, steady man on the farm"
"Who is he? and where is he from ?"
l asked, knowing that failure to
evince interest in her acquisition
would be highly unwisc.
Il guess he's tramp, though he
looks kinder spruce for one of EN-. His
name's Hiram Jones. You can see him
weedin' over yonder"
ut strikes me he's little awkward
at it," l suggested, after brief survey
of the newcomer.
wei, he comes cheap; seemed like
he'd take most anything, he was that
set to get work.
Then he's not tramp" said I. "By
the way, will you have him harness nv
horse about two o'clock? Excuse me-"
l added, hastily, for Miss Gray had
come into view as she turned the cor
1er OF the house over the way-"excuse
the, 1 want to speak to that young
lady,"
The girl saw me as 1 hurried townrd
her. and. pausing, swuited me at the
porch steps.
Good morning, DOCTOR" she said,
with hint of smile, perhaps at the
speed with which ma ie toward her.
Good morning." I responded. 81
Lle?"
They are very pleasant. But what
do you think of my aunt?'
"Oh, she's well enough" said I, un-
euardedly. THAT is, mean, she's well
enough comparatively; well enough,
You know, to encourge me greatly,
though of course you understand, far
better than I can tell at first, how
much she suffers"
She probably gauged my diagnosis
correctly, although she said, gravely:
Il am very glad to learn that you are
hopeful"
'Of course we cannot expect any
rapid improvement" added, in my
involve slow recoveries."
Il must go to her now" said the girl,
paying, it seemed to me, rather slight
heed to the great truth had stated.
"Tm afraid I've sadly neglected her
this morning."
II am going to drive to BASKERVILLE
this afternoon at two o'clock to have
prescription filed" FASTENED to say.
Il should be delighted to have you
come with me. You couldn't have had
an opportunity to ENJOY the scenery
when you went over the road yester-
day. Please come, do; the views are
very pretty"
But my auut?" said she, doubtfully.
ut will do her good The fact that
advise you to leave her for few hours
will prove to her that she is already be-
ginning to pick up in this splendid, vi
talizing atmosphere. Besides, as we
tide along, I can post you on the treat
ment mapped out for her.
There was quiet amusement in her
eyes as she listened to this ingenious
plea, but she permitted it to end her
hesitancy-which was all it was de-
signed to accomplish.
The day is too ailuringly charm
ing" she said. II can't resist the
temptation. shall be ready at two"
AS turned from the porch had q
glimpse of Mrs. Weston's face disap-
Fearing through her doorway, and
from its CHEEKY smile I copjectured
that the good soul heartily approved
OF the little scene which had taken
place across the way.
XII.
Hiram Jones, the new farmland, GER
tainly had one merit-he obeyed or
tlers. Precisely at two o'clock my horse
and buggy stood before the Office door.
The fact that he was on time made me
study the fellows looks, as one gazes
with interest at some prodigy dcvel-