The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-10-13
A WOMAN'S WILL.


do Is wrong"
Your mother can't help 1t, Phemie,'
said Doctor Jasper. He was the new
medical man, in huge favor with Mrs.
Albatross, Phemie's mother. Your
mother Is highly strung-quite a wo-
man of genius-and allowances must
be made for her temperament, my
dear young lady. Temperament rules
everything"
Indeed, Mrs. Albatross' temperament
seemed to rule Doctor Jasper, the par
son, the squire, the parish, but it did
not rule Phemie.
Look here" said the girl-she was
just past twenty-"you and mother are
always croaking about me, I know,
but you do nothing to help me. AT
least 1 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 SO"
mo, 1t isn't When l was sixteen
she had fad of dressing me up in
last century costume and making Il
doll Of me-not my style at ADJUST
to show off her own cleverness and
queerness at my expense. She said I
was ugly and only dressing could make
me fit to be seen."
"Well?" said Doctor Jasper, who
was a rising young medico of thirty,
as he looked gravely and judiciously
at the pretty, much tried girl, who only
half believed in his good will.
We'll" said Phemie, "every one
laughed, and showed mother l would
not stand it."
And then?"
Then she packed me off to school.
The mistress said I was sort of dazed
for a time, as If had been Ill treated
and so l had-and quite neglected,
but they were kind to me there, and
| was very happy for more than Il year
except in the holidays, which were al
ways odious. Then you came along"
And Phemie paused and stole doubt.
full glance at the doctor.
What then?' said the doctor, like
u person coldly inquiring for ordinary
information, yet with a certain little
twinkle in his eye which did not es-
cape the aggreived Phemie.
"Then," said the girl, 81 thought you
were my friend at first, but l don't
now. At least"
At this moment Mrs. Albatross en-
tered, and turning sharply on Phenlia,
said with n snap:
II suppose you haven't fed the fowls
taI nn lt,af, I'M
but idle away your time, rs usual?"
Il was called when Doctor Jasper
came. because you could not be
found"
I'm sick of your excuses. Doctor
Jasper does not wish to see you"
Then, in quite an altered tone, as
Phemie shrunk away out of the room:
DO you mind coming up to my sit
ting room? I want to have talk
with you about those changes at the
inirmary. l am sure that you will
agree with me and you will be mos;
useful. We can't allow things to so
on" ct cetera.
Or. Jasper always did agree with
Mrs Albatross, but somehow he mold.
ed her, and she usually came round
10 his opinion. He listened and she
talked. He could wait, and when he
had taken her bearings-without ever
interrupting or contradicting-she list
ened and he talked, and not then, but
neXt time, she echoed his opinions and
fancied they were all her own.
at Is such a comfort to find a SEN
sfble man to talk to in a stupid place
like this" said she, laying her arm con-
fidingly upon the doctors as he sat
smiling and agreeing with her.
Mrs. Albatross had worried one hus-
band into the grave-she was too clev.
er for him--but her intellectual vivac-
ity, Imagination and enterprise made
her an interesting companion. She
was only little past forty, and very
well preserved, and she meant to mar.
ry Doctor Jasper.
Whether 1t was hypnotism' or will
power, the doctor came again and
again and would not send in his bill,
and the Doctors bill never was paid.
He paid himself.
Don't speak to me-" said Phemie
hurriedly, as she met the doctor com.
ing down stairs after long confab
with her mother. Mothers about.
She's out all tomorrow afternoon. I've
got to paint the doors" And Jasper
passed out with sympathetic smile.
She knew he would call and advise
her about painting the doors. He did
call.
What a deal you know about mix.
ing paints and things! I'm sure 1 want
good advice great deal more than
mother does But then, I'm not clever
like mother" added Phemie, with
little aggrieved pout $50 it's not
worth while talking to me-"
Il do feel for you," said the doctor,
with an unusual warmth of manner
II have done all could to get 1youi
mother 10 be fair to you, Phemie"-
he had never called her Phemie be.
fore, and she felt her color -
'Whats the matter?" he added hastily
for suddenly Phemie's eyes filed with