The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1899-04-19

concerned with heart trouble-and-and | Won
dered what you meant"
| "You felt sympathetic?" he dared.
| "Sirr' she expostuated, ignoring his impu-
| dence save for a blush, what do you mean by
telling my mother that her heart is affected?
She imagines it solely; and-and don't be-
| lieve you are physician
| A truly feminine retreat; Vaughan rested
| on his victory.
"Do you think am fraud?' he asked af-
ter moment of silence. do you think L
can't do what 1 promise?'
eyes," she said quickly catching at the
word, L" can't expresses it; I believe you are
hypocrite.'
and" he added, sit will take hypocrite
to cure a hypochondriac, as [ believe your
mother to be- am not a medical man, to be
sure, but doctor of philosophy. Your mother
needs philosophic treatment rather than med1-
cal.''
Somewhat Modified, she looked shyly at him
and said,
II think you are right and beg your pardon
for mean nsinuations."
'"They were perfectly justifiable and certainly
encouragng-I mean interesting"
She bushed again. She could blush in
charming manner Vaughan noticed and he
| felt disposed to study her bushes.
Before the storm was over he had presented
credentials which established their acquaintance
through common friends. Then, of course, he
accepted an invitation to stay for tea. Before
that agreeable function these two arch-plotters
concocted scheme which sought the cure OF
one heart trouble and planted, perhaps, the
seeds of one serious.
When Mrs Dorrack came down, Vaughan
made some perfunctory inquiries and shook
his head gravey the answers.
"You 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, a considerable factor
in such things"
This last was to bring out that fascinating
blush, and it succeeded. Mrs. Dorrack, how
ever, unconscious of by play, went with the
conversation in her favorite strain.
do you think my daughter has inherited
this heart trouble?' she asked. Il she
would be glad to have you-'
MAY fill your cup, doctor?" hastily inter
rupted Miss Dorrack, in vain effort to destroy
the intensity of the conversation.
LAS yet, mol mean yes, thank YOU
will have some tea he said without any en-
barrassment. Gas yet [ do not understand her
| heart, though ] certainly hope to find it free
from any long standing trouble. Should / de-
tect any affection of that organ, l shall take
proper steps to give it all due attention.
II am sure I can trust you" Mrs. Dor
racks reply
After supper he gave her few direct ons
and, as he was leaving, promised to call fire.
quenty while he was spending his vacation in
the village.
During the next five weeks Doctor Vaughan
revolutionzed life at The Cedars. Mrs. Dor
rack who for years had been moroe and
melancholy, now came out as an active hostess
In many ways life there was brightened; and
the effect was soon seen on her health. Oc-
casonally, when Vaughan came up from the
village he would bring her bottle of med1-
cine usually a nice wine, which he required
| her to take regularly and in prescribed doses,
although, he said, her trouble did not need
medicine so much as judicious care CT herself.
Toward the the last of July, when business
made necessary a return to the city, he felt
that he safely might prvnounce her cured. He
| sat, one bright afternoon, the porch with
| Mrs. Dorrack discussing the situation.
II 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.
1ee6S tTP3t1n