The true Democrat., 1898-01-22

so graclously to hlm, ne quite congrat-
ulated himself, as Of course everybody
thought he had good reason to do.
And it soon appeared q fact. For,
not three days after this, Miss Will
mar, boing attacked somewhat severe
ly with neuralgia, sent for him imme.
diately to see her.
The meeting was a very pleasant
one, for Miss Wilmar, as we have said,
having set her mind on employing
him, aud thereby becoming used to
the idea-which went great way with
her-anl having, moreover, heard
favorable accounts of him from some
Of the families where he visited, was
quite prepossessed with him already.
And when she had had half an
hours conversation with him, she
liked him still more. He entered into
her feelings so completely, she said
was so full Of sympathy-seemed so
clearly to understand her case. In
fact, though different, of course, from
DR.. Dennet, yet he was more fitted to
take his place, in her estimation, than
any physician she had ever known.
He prescribed for her-the prescrip-
ton was successful. She had never
experienced moro decided relief even
under DR.. Dennet's care. For one
ailment and another, she was obliged
to send for him again and again; and
every occasion gave her new faith in
the doctor and his treatment. So
that DR.. Dorm became established as
Miss Wilmar's physician; and she
congratulated herself very much upon
the fact-and so did he.
In fact, DR.. Dorm said to himself
that he had made considerable step
in the world. Ho had been preferred
before every old established practi-
toner in the town. Miss Wilmar was
rich-prompt iu her paymonts-need-
ing frequent advice-what a good
thing for him-:for his reputation-for
his purse! A very fortunate man was
the doctor.
He was sitting quite at leisure, in
his Office one evening, with his feet on
the fender, and dreaming golden
dreams of the future. Miss Wilmar
bad promised to introduce him to
wealthy family where DR.. Dennet had
been employed, aud in which he, in
turn, was likely to gain favor. He
was congratulating himself anew and
building castles in the air, which
seemed altogether too beautiful to be
real, when the bell rang and dissipated
them most efectually for the moment.
A little girl Of ten or twelve years
came in with timid and hesitating
step-a little girl with a cheap, gin.
CHAM dress and coarse straw hat
that had seen service.
''What do you want?" asked the
doctor grufly.
The child looked up, half fright
ened.
T 'Old Mr. Gray was sick; would DIR.
Dorm come and see lim?"
"Who is Mr.. Gray, and where does
he live?" asked the doctor, indider-
entity.
'tOur neighbor, sir" said the child;
che lives at No. co."
"Well, well! I don't know where
you live. Can't you tell me the name
Of the street?"
In her confusion she had forgotten.
She told him nova street on the out
skirts Of the town, composed Of only q
few struggling, old-fashioned houses
that had long and long since seen their
best days, and were mostly occupied
now by very humble and unpretend-
ing people indeed.
"Hum-ha! What ails him?" was
the doctors next question.
rheumatism, sir. He's very bad
tonight"
'"Had any physician before?"
"Dr. Dennet, sir-but he's dead"
DR.. Dennet had been o fayorite
among the poor.
tits on inconvenient distance to-
night; couldn't you have got doctor
somewhere nearer home?"
"Mr. Gray sent me for you, SIR"
The doctor went, unwilling enough;
reached, in the darkness, the old
fashioned brown house that pictured
itself to his memory; found old Mr..
Gray suffering a good deal, circum-
stance which, however, failed to
awaken DR.. Dorn's sympathy, but
rather made him the crosser instead.
So that he was unnecessarily short
and grnff, and seemed likely to fright
en- and worry the poor old patient
more than to help him. Mrs. Gray, q
gentle, ]ady-like though somewhat
nervous elderly woman, was affected
quite as much as her husband at the |
doctors quite Indifferent and almost
rude manner, but did her very best
to smooth and conciliate aud please;
so that, to have seen her half-terrifed
politeness of manner, one would have
pitied the poor old lady very much in
deed.
It is, perhaps, needless to soy that
kho 1nctor had at Onca taken note of !