Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1901-10-03
The Doctors dilemma
BY Hesba Stretton


But you are going to persist in your
infatuation," said Julia; you can never
deceive me. l know you too well. Oh,
see that you still think the same Of herr.
You know nothing about her," re-
piled.
And I shall take care l never do she
interrupted spitefully.
$50 it Is of no use to so on quarreling
about her." / continued. Il made up
my mind before l came here that l must
see as little as possible Of her for the
future. You must understand, Julia, she
has never given me a particle of reason
to suppose she loves me-"
but you are still in love with her?
Martini" she continued, with flashing
eyes, and rising tone in her voice,
which, like the first shrill moan Of the
wind, presaged storm, II will never
marry you until you can say, on your
word Of honor, that you love that person
no longer, and are ready to promise to
hold no further communication with her.
Oh. know what my poor aunt has had
to endure, and will not put up with it."
Every we'll, Julia" l answered, con-
trolling myself as we'll as l could, II
have only one more word to say on this
subject. love Olivia, and as far as
know myself, l shall love her as long as
I live. l did not come here to give you
any reason for supposng my mind Is
changed as to her. II you consent to be
my wife, l will do my best to be most
true most faithful to you. But my mo-
tive for coming now Is to tell you some
particulars about your property, which
my father made known to me only last
night"
1t was miserable task for ME; but
told her simply the painful discovery
had made. She sat listening with dark
and sullen face, but betraying not a spark
of resentment, so far as her loss Of for
tune was concerned.
"Yes" she said bitterly, when l had
finished, "robbed by the father and jilt-
ed by the SON."
II would give my life to cancel the
wrong" I said.
1T is so easy to talk" she replied. with
a deadly GOODNESS Of tone and manner.
Il am ready to do whatever you
choose" I urged. ut is true my father
has robbed you; but it Is not true that
l have Tilted you. l did not know my
own heart till a word from Captain
Carey revealed 1t to me; and l told you
frankly, partly because Johanna Insist
ed upon it, and partly because l be-
lieved it right to do so. If you demand
it, will even promise not to see Olivia
again, or to hold direct communication
with her. Surely that Is all you ought
to require from me-"
mo-" she replied vehemently; "do you
suppose could become your wife while
you maintain that you love another wom-
an better than me? You must have q
very low opinion Of me-"
would you have me tell you false
hood?" l rejoined, with vehemence equal
to hers.
You had better leave me-" she said
before we hate one another. tell you
l have been robbed by the father and
Tilted by the son. Goodbye, Martin"
Goodbye, Julia" replied; but I still
fingered, hoping she would speak to me
again. l was anxious to hear what she
would do against my father. She looked
at ME fully and angrily, and as l did not
move, she swept out Of the room, with
dignity which had never seen in her be-
fore. l retreated towards the house door,
but could not make good my escape with
out encountering Johanna.
SWELL Martini" she said.
ut is all wrong" answered. Julia
persists In 1t that am jilting her."
"All the world will think you have be-
haved very badly" she said.
rode home again, Sark lying In full
view before me; and, in spite Of the dark
ness Of my prospects, l felt intensely
glad to be free to win my Olivia.
Four days passed without any sign
from Julia. My father had gone OFF on a
visit and my mother and had the house
to ourselves; and, in spite Of her fret
tings, we enjoyed considerable pleasure
during the temporary lull. There We're,
however, sundry warnings out Of doors
which foretold tempest. l met cold
glances and sharp inquiries from old
friends, among whom some rumors OF
our separation We're floating. There was
sufficient to Justify suspicion-my faith
ers absence, Julia's prolonged sojourn
with the Careys, and the postponement
of my voyage to England. began to
fancy that even the women servants
flouted at me.