The times., 1899-10-08

assumed Lldt, said MTS, MelilSl.
You don't know her?'
Don't know her. snapped the doctor
and don't want to- If he thinks that I'm
such fool as to buy him practice in
order that he may settle down, as he calls
it, he is very much mistaken. Good heav-
ems, he must rough IL, just as l roughed it.
Don't tell me that it isn't good for young
man to have to knock about for himself
At his age L"
You were very hard up. weren't you?"
"Deuced hard up said DR.. Fraser, ex-
ultantly. Why, as i tell him, | used TO
buy haddock over night, cook it for
breakfast, and, bless my soul eat it,
1 remember that you were hard up re-
peated Mrs Mellish
There was pause. and she glanced not
at the doctor, but at her niece, who, with
her girl friends, was ascending the stone
steps of the left wing of the ruins.
And l hope, he said, steadily fixing his
pince-nez, and looking at her, you re-
member. too, that more than once you lent
me money to get me out of a position OF
some difficulty. At any rate, Laura, l
don't forget it.
There is no need to remember such tri-
fes''
But there is" persisted DR.. Fraser. OBJ
stinately, "and / do remember them
Now he added, now that the circum-
stances is recalled to my memory"
But you paid me back, so there is moth
ing outstanding
Pardon me. | have good reason to
feel grateful and l am grateful. You were
earning money then by playing as profess
sional at amateur performances, and l was
getting rid of my small allowance too east
ly. If you hadn't helped me it would have
made great difference TO my career. If
you can suggest any way
Il think We might stroll, said Mrs. Mel
lish.
The striped sunshine went up as they
walked along to the wooden bridge in the
corner of the grounds. The sunshade ap-
peared to partake of the nature of a shield
because when Mrs. Melish wanted to aim
furtive remark at her companion the SUM-
shade protected her face as she did SO;
when she desired to send one frankly the
sunshade was jerked aside and placed mo-
mentarily out of action. The soft, velvet
like grass made walking comfortable thing
to do DR.. Fraser, with his stick playing
a feeting game Of golf with the aid OF a
fat vagrant champagne cork, and, scoring
a good stroke, instantly became more cheer
full. The niece ran down from the castle
to say that the girls had just discovered
the name Laura M" engraved on one of
the landings, and she had been sent as a
deputation to enquire if this was meant for
her aunt. DR.. Fraser assured her quite jo-
vially that it was probably only done as an
advertisement, and that he wondered that
the words "Of the Principal London Thea
tres had not been added. Mrs. Mellish's
niece did not Immediately return to her
old schoolfellows, but stayed on the wooden
bridge and talked TO DR. Fraser; shyly at
6re (opd ~ ;a+ ba
tori and presently with more confidence
her aunt standing by In theiposition of um-
pire. When the party of girls began to
wave handkerchiefs and exhibit other sig
nails of desiring her instant return, she
ran back to them, whereupon Mrs. Mellish
remarked that a niece Wasea great response
bility, which DR.. Fraser at once contradicted
(this, 1 think, the adreit Mrs. Meliish had
expected), declaring that the niece was a
charming young woman of whom anybody
might we'll be proud g
Besides" he said argumentatively, 'your
responsibility will notslast long. She will
get married soon.''
"You do not object to marriage, then?''
For girls said the doctor.
only for men? Seems rather a one
sided arrangement"
II am speaking generally, Laura. There
may Oc cAStptiOIost 10 SHS SuSd6Su-
Mrs. Mellish nodded IF I were you, then,
l should do everything to get her COM
fortably settled"
"That was my idea"
81 wonder he said, taking off his white
hat and running his hand through his
white hair, what sort of man she will
marry?"
Il have made every enquiry" said Mrs.
Mellish, with her sunshade ON guard. "and
the results are almost entirely satisfae-
tory"
"Almost?''
There is only one difficulty" (Sun-
shade off guard now and a sudden attack
in the open.) by the by, don't you some
times wish that you had married. and
that-that you had had son?''
81 don't quite understand" he said, ner-
vously Mrs. Mellish repeated the question
with great distinctness. why, yes" he
said, hesitatingly, Il do But on the whole,
of course. it's a good thing that I've re-
main a bachelor. To tell the absolute
truth, Laura. he lowered his voice con-
fdentially-'I've got bit of temper"
you always had
But it gets more pronounced as ]
grow older"
"I can quite believe that"
"And a man who has a temper should
have no other company"
Makes him feel rather crowded some
| times, / dare say. But occasionally you
overcome it,
/ Rarely" admitted DR.. Fraser.
They went up to the castle, where pea
cock, disturbed by their approach, rose,
and spreading its magnificent feathers,
used language too scandalous to be print
ed here Mrs Mellish gave the doctor
more than one opportunity of leaving, but
it almost seemed that he enjoyed talking
to her and being in her company. The
| subject of himself was for him evidently
full of attraction.
Il have my moments of introspection, -
he said as they stood within the four walls
and looked up at the wallflowers growing
| In the crevices. and ! find that nearly
everything becomes accentuated as years
| ago. Increase of hastiness, increase Of
Money"
"I haven't done badly in that respect.
command big fees"
THAT can only arrive with the years, "
| said Mrs Mellish, wisely. Young men
| in your profession can't expect them"
Course not
your nephew, for instance, would per-
| haps only earn at the present time just
sufficient for his own needs?"
Hes a careful youth" said DR.. Fraser
but he can't have much to spare"
II think said Mrs. Mellish, that you
let us get up these stairs. / am rather
anxious to see this celebrated inscription.
What were you going to say, Laura?'
He led the way carefully up the worr
steps of the winding staircase.
4 was going to say remarked Mrs
Mellish, ascending slowly and guarding
her stock of breath with economy, "tha
you might as well do something for him.
Il think I'm the best judge of that"
Il fancy-youre the worst said Mrs
Mellish, painting They gained the top o
! Rv;,, h,