Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-11

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he had ever eaten had been the desserts
which her own hands had prepared? And
she was now making his favorite pastry
caramel pie. That touched a tender spot
with Tom-Dr. Tom, by the way-and she
knew IT, His Christmas dinner would not
be complete without that delicious,
brown-looking substance, fringed with
brittle crust. and known to the culinary
art as caramel pie. The old saying that
the surest way to reach n mans heart
Is through his stomach Is not entirely
Incorrect. Luckily for many girls, how
ever, this is a rule with numerous ex-
ceptions. else how many Of these fair
creatures would live to be that which
they most dread-an old maid
DIR. Tom was a young physician, VIII
had only received his diploma two year.
previously, but who. nevertheless, wa
beginning 10 build up quite nice prac-
tice for himself in the capital Of the Old
Dominion. His home had been in Staun-
ton. but, like many other young men,
under similar circumstances. he had
preferred to commence the practice Of
his profession In some locality other
than among his own people 1t fs true
he was acquainted with nearly every one
for miles around the quaint little valley
town, for he was quite a popular young
man. Before he left home 70 attend one
of the medical colleges in Richmond his
services had always been in demand
when any social function was on hant
in Stanton. He could lead a germar
as could no other young man Of the 50
cial set of-that town. With the boys
he had always been great favorite. NJ
one in Augusta county could land
trout more skilfully than he, and when
a covey OF partridges flew up before his
gun the feathers would always fly. In
any sport. or at any social function, Tom
was the man who was first called upon,
but he did not know just how it would
be if no hung up his shingle in stanton,
and proclaimed 10 his little world that
Doctor" Tom sat within his office await
ing the coming Of patients. AT any
rate, the prospect did not seem favor
able. He understood human nature well
enough 10 know that the very fact that
he entered with such spirit into the So
cial life OF his town. and was so widely
known as a good fellow" would tend
70 send people elsewhere than to his own
Office, when their precious lives were In
danger. That would be human nature.
There was only one thing that made
Young DIR. Tom q little loath 10 leave
hose blue hills, among which he had al
ways lived up TO the time he began the
tudy OF medicine. And that one thing
vas the fact that "she" lived there; that
rhe irregular blue line that stood up
against the sky, and was broken here
and there by some peak higher than the
rest sheltered in that garden spot or
Virginia one whose voice was as sweet
10 him as the murmuring of the laughing
brook that stole its winding way over
rocky beds, and through messy banks.
until II lost itself in the clear waters OF
the Shenandoah. A pair of brown eyes
seemed TO hold him as fast to his valley
home as though he had been one Of the
great rocks that lay wedged in among the
mountains, and which had refused TO be
moved by the heaviest gale that ever
blow across the range. All, how many
pair of eyes have had the same effect
on mankind Whether they be those soft
brown orbs, which can express so much
tenderness, or whether their hue be Ike
the blue skies OF a summer day. rejecting
In their azure depths the peace and con-
tentment of pure soul; whether they
be as black as the ravens wing, eyes
that can flash fire or melt themselves In
tears: whether they be gray, serious
eyes, with @ touch Of sadness in them or
mild eyes of hazel hue. they ali, at times,
have Il marvellous power over man. ana
many O Etout-hearted ieLc"' WHO luz
years has tossed about In tempestuous
waters, and shouted In hts glad freedom,
as he stood at the helm, and cared not
to Guide his wandering bark into port,
has come under tho influence of such
pair of eyes and theu-swish, out goes
his anchor-chain. and the heet-winged
bird, that has sailed so many a stormy
sea, rides safely In the harbor, as un-
able 20 move from its moorings as though
the gallant little craft lay secured In tho
dry-dock.
Tom was In love with his cousin Mar
tha-oh. Yea. she was his cousin. Not
a first cousin. nor even second cousin,
but one removed 20 the third degree. that
delightful relationship In which one may
enjoy all the privileges OF COUSIN
without going into details an to numbers.
and then. II events 80 shape themselves,
may he-wsll. something siss. During his