Middletown transcript., 1898-02-12

XIV professional abil
Z NJ tiles, but for thu
services Of my humble self, John Hard
man, M. d., there seemed to be no de-
mand at all in the great city.
My melancholy meditations were cu'
short by the din of my front door bell
and presently gentleman was usher
ed into my presence.
"Dr. Hardman. believer" said the
negcomer. "Allow me to introduce
myself. am Mr.. Thomes Sharp ol
Rose Villa. live in your neighbor-
hood"
After expressing my pleas He at max
ing his acquaintance required If
could be any service to him.
"You are busy man, | expect, doc
tor" said he aud then paused, while
mendaciously limited that such indeed
was the case, "But possibly you will
be able to ficd me little time in a pro-
fessional capacity"
informed him that Of course |
could do 80.
swell, may tell you at once" he
went on pleasantly, 81 am as sound as
bell myself, but wish to engage your
good services for my niece. She is
young and inclined to be delicate,
think, and wants little toning up,
and, as happen to know some particu
lars about you and your career entirely
to your credit, 1 am going to place her
under your care"
put 10 few hurried words express
sive of my pleasure in undertaking the
charge and was going on to make some
inquiries as to my patients health and
manner Of life, but my voluble friend
cut me short.
"You are the only sun Of the late
John Hardman of Blankley hail." be
interrupted. 81 used to know your
part Of the country, and l know tina;
you are the only surviving member Of
that good old Hardman stock. Never
mind how cane to know it. 1 also
know that your father came to griei
over the X-bank failure, and that
it has been an uphill game for yor since
in consequence l am pleased to see how
well you arepow getting on"
Mr.. Sharp continued to ramble OF
in this strain for some time, giving me
little information about himself, but
to my astcni: hment, revealing no little
knowledge of my history. Our meet
ing terminated very cordially, and he
departed after eceiving my acceptance
of pressing invitation to dine witt
him at Rose Villa on the following
evening.
Rose Villa turned out TO be very
charming and we'll appointed domicile.
I had made few inquiries indirectly
through Polly (Polly was my smart
little parlor maid), and it seemed thai
Mr.. Sharp was gentleman of means,
with no o5' eusibls profession, who had
been for about two years in his present
abode. His niece, a young lady of tax
ing appearance, in Polly's opinion, was
the only other member Of the household
and they were not favored by many if
any callers. So much for amatuer de.
tective work. My early impressions of
Rose Villa and Of Grace Fdirleigh, my
lovely patient, were dis inctly pleas
ing.
Mr.. Sharp made capita, host. He
was CHEEKY and entertaining, and Miss
Fairleigb, fair haired, blue eyed,
handsome girl, was as gracious as She
was beautiful. She was an accomplish.
ed musician, playing well and singing
with a voice that for tone and sweet
ness is rarely equaled in a suburban
drawing room. They gave me thai
pronounced luxury, really good din
ner, and 1 spent most enjoyable even
ing afterward.
Miss Fairleigh an d became friends
almost at once, was drawn TOWARD
her as much by her half veiled shynes'
and maidenly manner as by her rich
beauty. That which appealed to my
curiosity in connection with my visitl
to Rose Villa was my inability tt
fathom Mr.. Sharp's motive in having
retained my services for his niece. Sht
enjoyed perfect health.
/ was requested by Mr.. Sharp to cal
daily, and | did so most conscientious
ly, but that Miss Fairleigh derived AM
benefit from my medicines (if she tool
theml I am not prepared to admit
though check " hich was forced upon
me at early date was very acceptable
and l could not afford to quarrel witt
my bread and butter.
Three months passed away. wa
absurdly happy. l suppose 1 mus
have been "gone eoou from the first
/ know that was now over head anC
ears in love with Grace, and, although
| had not divulged my secret to her b.
an open proposal of marriage, she wa
not ignorant as to how matters stoot
with with me from a cardiac point o
view; neither, as | rightly gathered
| little later. was her uncle.
/ was only waiting for a ''lookinl
upward" in my practice to plead %.
love with feryor and all the eloauenc
could command. But the pratice di'
not :.'look up" Indeed, things fnan
cial were becoming worse and wors
with me. Bill, rained down upon no
| with monotonous regularity, and l wa