The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-09-02
like the tense you USE. "

woman enough to know dangerous ground ;
but she only floundered helplessly in an
, effort to get back to safer point.
81 recall that you said you had been
wondered what you meant"
"You felt sympathetic?" he dared.
''Sir y she expostulated, ignoring his
impudence save for blush, "what do you
mean by telling my mother that her heart
is affected? She imagnes it solely and
and l don't believe you are physician.
A truly feminine retreat so Vaughan
rested on his victory.
''Do you think | am fraud?' he asked
after moment of silence ''Do you think
can't do what promise ?"
ayes, she said, quickly catching at the
word, "'can't expresses it believe you
are a hypocrite."
"And" he added Sit will take hypo.
orite to care for hypochondriac, as l be-
lieve your mother to be. am not medi-
cal man, to be sure, bat doctor Of phil
osophy Nour mother needs philosophc
treatment rather than medical"
Somewhat modified, she looked shyly at
him and said
81 think you are right and beg your
pardon for mean destinations"
They were perfectly justifable and Ger
tainly encouraging mean interesting
She blushed again. She could blush in
charming manner Vaughan noticed ; and
he felt disposed to study her bushes.
Before the storm was over he had pre-
scented credentials which established their
acquaintance through common friends.
Then, of course, he accepted an invitation
to stay to tea. Before that agreeable func-
ton these two ch-plotters concocted a
scheme which sought the cure Of one heart
trouble and planted, perhaps, the seeds OF
one more serious.
When Mrs. Dorrack came down, Naug-
han made some perfunctory Inquiries and
shook his head gravely over the answers.
"Iou must take frequent drives when
the weather is suited" he told her. "Above
all, you must lead sociable life Mental
attitude has much to do with matters of the
heart ; and one or two young people, with
their interesting and vigorous natures, are
a considerable factor in such things"
This last was to bring out that fascinat-
ing blush, and it succeeded. Mrs. Dorrack,
however, unconscious of by-play, went on
with the conversation in her favorite strain.
''Do you think my daughter has inherit.
ed this heart trouble? ?" she asked 81 am
sure she would be glad to have you"
inlay fill your cup, DOCTOR" hastily
interrupted Miss Dorrack, in vain effort
to destroy the intensity of the conversation.
Gas yet, no-I mean yes thank you. l
will have some tea, he said, without any
embarrassment "As yet | do no. under
stand her heart, though certainly hope to
find it free from any long standing trouble
Should | detect my affection of that organ,
shall take proper steps to give it all due
attention"
81 am sure l can trust YOU" was Mrs
Dorrack's reply.
After supper he gave a few directions
and, as be was leaving promised to call
frequently while he was spending his vaca-
ton in the village.
During the next five weeks Doctor Naug-
han revolutionized life at The Cedars Mrs
Dorrack, who for years had been morose
and melancholy, now came out as an active
hostess. In many ways life there was
frightened ; and the effects were soon seen
on her health. Occasionally, when yaug-
han came up from the village, he would
bring her bottle Of medicine" usually
a nice tonic, which he required her to take
regularly and in prescribed doses, although,
as he said, her trouble did not need med-
cine SO much as judicious care of herself.
Toward the last of July, when business
made necessary a return to the city, he felt
that he might safely pronounce her cured.
He sat one bright afternoon on the porch
with Miss Dorrack, discussing the situation.
81 very much fear your mother is well, +"
he was saying.
"Too bad she agreed. 'You will not
soon find another patient"
He looked at her seriously.
81 wonder if your heart needs treatment.
Are you sure it is not affected? Heart
disease, you know, is quite contagious
"lou think may have caught it from
mother 2" she queried nalvely.
Yes, or from me-"
Have you heart disease?'' she asked,
with beautifully brown eyes wide open.
His chair was drawn closer, and he as
sumed confidential manner.
"You asked me-" he began, ''the very
first afternoon | met you, if l had ever
been inf knew anything about heart
trouble"
Exactly" she readily acquiesced. "You
objected then to the tense used. Do you