Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-04-06

tainly had one merit-he obeved or
ders. Precisely at two o'clock my horse
ind buggy stood before the office door.
The fact that he was on time made me
study the fellows looks, as one gazcs
with interest at some prodigy devel-
cped in an altogether unexpected
place. He was stout and we'll built,
with little of the slouc,ling clumsiness
ct the typical plowboy. His face,
though far from stolid, was not at
tractive, and several days growth of
beard helped to lessen such slight
claims to comeliness as it might have
possessed. Ills garments were coarse
and stained, and his boots were old and
Worn.
You're prompt" observcd,as he re-
linquished the reins. Its a good
plan"
cts easy 'nough," he answered,
gruf1iy. and, turning on his heel,
walked away.
At another time his manner might
have annoyed me, but just then 1 had
other interests in life than specula-
tions as to the crudities of farm-lab or-
nrs' civilization. Miss Gray was ready
for the start, and in Il moment or two
the bay was leisurely beginning his
afternoons work,to allappearances the
slecpiest old roadster in the state.
had thought the vehicle we'll enough in
it's way, but now noticed the dust on
its body and the cakes of dried mud
on the tires and spokes, and suspicion
crossed my mind that horse, carriage,
and very possibly driver contrasted
oddly, and not to their advantage, with
the trim, well-dressed young person be-
side me.
Il believe can guess your thoughts"
| said, not too amiably. YOU'RE mar
Yelling at my fiery steed. Am / right?"
I'm part yes," she answered; .but
only in part"
And what do you think of him?"
THAT he is very quiet and gentle,
and very we'll suited to physicians
uses"
$50 far SO good; but is that all?"
"About the horse, yes.''
May risk asking if your thoughts
turned from him to his master?"
There was a little pause before she
spoke, and, looking at her out of the
corner of my eye, thought her cheek
flushed a bit.
ut was merely question which sug.
gested ITSELF" she said. II was won
dering whether the evident fitness OF
the horse for his work meant that his
master looked upon this village as his
permanent field"
1t was now my turn to hesitate.
Really" said, at last, sit is hard
question to answer. / can say neither
yes nor no. l can't get beyond tn.
present. May I not be content with
that?"
DO you think it is enough for YOU
for any young professional man?"
But if it satisfies me?''
docs it?"
"At this particular Instant, yes; al
| other times, when l can't get away
from myself, no."
There was another pause, and whe1
she spoke again it was to ask me the
.'outine to be followed by her aunt
While 1 described it she listened a.
soberly as if she had no room to doub
that the invalid was close to death:
door. Before the recital was finished
we had begun to traverse one of the
| level stretches. 1 frightened the reins
and the bay heightened his strides;
a chirrup or two and his lazy air was
shaken off and his hoof-beats rang
quick and sharp upon the hard road
Away we went at a pace far below his
best, but ono which would have lief
most of the local trotters hopelessly
in the rear. Pulling him up when W.
reached rise in the grade, turned tt
the girl a little triulnphantly. TIL,
swift motion had brought new Egh
into her eyes, and the rush of the vino
had heightened her delicate color.
"That was delightful" she cried
"Let me confess at once, misjudgee
| your horse cruelty. He has wonder
fully exceeded expectations"
1.-The brute has redeemed himself
easily" said I. Would it were as ligh
task for the man.
Perhaps the man has not been mis-
| judged, after all. But come, DR.. Nor
ris, you've told me almost nothing o
your adventures for the last two O.
three years. Surely, you must hav
had some before coming here?"
1.-The short and simple annals,'-
you know the line. The city was no
generous; there is nothing more to tell
Believe me, you are fortunate, indeed
to escape any risk of tine monotony o
humdrum existence. envy you th'
variety of scene and surrounding
which has fallen to your lot"
''As if there could be no monotony il
variety; as If one could not grow wear.
Of it!'' she cried. "Why. DR.. Morris
it is the superlative of Inonotony.AIan,
a time I've been tempted to recall ap
provingly the growls of an irascibl
old Englishman we met in Spain
Madam said he to my aunt, take m
word for it, all hotels ale bad, but som
are worse than others: oil stranger
are obnoxious, but some are pestiler
tial; all sightseeing is u :weariness O
the flesh, and the more one has of
the greater the burden becomes
"And Mrs. Loring?"
ellis vehemence startled her, and sh
fled at the first opportunity.
"Yet she could not have needed TIL
TRADE to advantage. In all sincerity
let me say that until she consents t
settle down quietly for II considerabl
time there is not much hope of etfec
ing her cure. You must have observe