The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-01-17
10 see you run, and I sent Jack TO chase

that he would attack you on the street.
am so sorry-but you will forgive me.
won't you?"
assured her that did, fully, think
ing meanwhile how rarely nature COM
bined that lovely tint of red hair, with
such velvety black eyes; the combinn-
tion that Titan loved, that Eugene Sue
described so charmingly in his EVAN
dering jew" and that Lew Wallace
copied in "The Prince of India"
My reflections were interrupted by
the gruff voice Of tall, gray-whiskered
and fierce eyebrowed gentleman whom
! had not seen approach. "Pick up that
dog, Joseph" said he to the coachman
at his side, take him to the stable and
see II you can bring him around" Then.
turning TO me, he continued: Before
! offer you any apologies. sir, come into
my office and let me attend to that wrist
of yours. II is much swollen"
had not noticed It before, but he
was right. The pressure Of the dogs
Jaws had left it numb. but with the re-
turn of feeling came intense shooting
pains that / could scarce keep from
showing in my face as / followed him
up the walk to the door OF the house,
where I saw little sign that read:
"Dr. Pemberton. Surgeon" After
bathing and dressing my wrist, on
which he had found the skin broken
In two places, the doctor asked me TO
tell him all about the affair. AS told
him, leaving out, however, the young
lady's part in the occurrence, his face
grew serious. "And you didn't provoke
him in any way?" he asked. NO" 1
answered "he was nearly upon me be-
fore l saw him, my mind being greatly
distracted at the time" what with?"
1t was peculiar question, but he was
the kind of man to whom everybody
takes at first sight, and HE kindliness
and evident sympathy impelled me TO
relate to him my circumstances, and
did so without reserve.
Strange" he said, after moments
silence. 81 have never known that dog
TO attack any but trespasser before
must see him. Wait here a moment"
In few minutes he returned, un-
wound the bandages on my wrist, exam
ined the wounds, then said at will be
best not to take any risk. For a dog OF
Jacks intelligence to attack we'll
dressed stranger on the sidewalk, and
unprovoked, can only be interpreted in
one way. / must cauterize those
wounds"
had scarce resumed my coat after
he had completed the painful task
when there was light tap at the door
and Miss Pemberton entered, but as
she caught sight of me she suddenly
exclaimed: "What makes you so pale?"
The doctor answered for me. 81 have
Just cauterized the wounds on his arm.
We both thought it best, as I could as
cribe no reason why Jack should attack
him" "And," added, quickly, seeing
she was about to tell her part of it, 81
did not care to take any risks, whatever
might be the cause"
Whether it was at what had said, or
the way l looked at her when said it,
at any rate, she turned her head to hide
blush that covered her face. How
ever, l must confess that my apparent
magnanimity was not SO unselfish us
she thought it, for / realized that there
could be no more efficacious or rapid
vehicle to the intimacy hoped TO ac-
quire with her than the possession Of a
common secret. So when she changed
the subject by asking me to take sup
per with the family / consented with
as much reluctance as / could simulate.
At supper the Intoxicating nearness Of
her presence and the little assistance
she gave me as she insisted upon my
using but one hand completed my
downfall, and ! left the house that
night considerably more in love than a
bookkeeper without a position can well
dare to be.
A few days later was surprised to re-
ceive the following laconic letter:
my Dear Young Friend: I am getting
old enough to want to retire In few years
and want somebody to fill the niche that
shall leave l want follower of my own
training. A surgeon must be a man of great
presence OF mind strong OF nerve and of
hand. That you fill this bill know, and
that your character and habits are satisfac-
tory have ascertained. If you are willing,
come tomorrow and we will complete the
arrangements. Sincerely yours,
ROBERT PEMBERTON."
After the doctor had explained his
plans to me further, and they were
certainly magnanimous, said: Doc
tor, l need not say how much | appre-
ciate your kindness, and will gladly
agree to everything; but before we
close the agreement ! want to give you
n warning that may make you with
draw your offer. Ny presence in this
house will necessarily throw me much
into contact with your daughter, and
the consequences, to me, at least, may
be disastrous"
For once in his life the doctor was
nonplused, but after few moments
thought he took my hand and said: "I
am thankful to you for your candor.
have always put off as an evil the
thought of some day having to give up
my daughter; but II she marries you
will not lose her, will II"
thought how very seldom the young
men of to-day take into account the
feelings Of the fathers whose homes
they deprive of their brightest light
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