The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1901-04-18

ana mutual 1flenQ EdO interested DIR. |
Wharton. He went at the behest of |
friendship. He found himself little in
terested in the case, which, in sooth,
was commonplace enough from the
standpoint of specialist. He con-
tinued, however, to attend the major,
its that there was nothing he could do
to bring permanent relief. Instead of
dropping the case when he satisfied
himself of this-as was the case usually
in the course of his practice, he found
himself making visits more and more
frequently; and what was moro scan
dalous, he found himself indulging in
divers and sundry deceits tending to
comfort the majors state of mind, but
more particularly to bring to Elsie's
rosy cheeks glad smile and look of
gratitude. This had been going on for
some weeks, when DR.. Wharton held
high counsel with himself and decided,
greatly to his perturbation, as noted
above, that he was in love with the fair
daughter of his patient.
The discovery distracted him great
ly. He was not lady's man in any
sense of the word. His entire life
since he was a boy had been given up
to the most exacting work along the
lines of his profession. He was get
ting old. He~was prematurely gray.
He had none of the graces admired by
women. He had forgotten how to be
interested in the everyday affairs Of
the world and he was far too intelli-
gent not to know that speciality in
any department, and particularly in
his, could not interest permanently
any person not a specialist and least
of all a young and pretty woman.
His discovery filled him with de-
spair. He did not know what to do
about it. At first he resolved to over
come it and he plunged into his work
as he never had done before. But it
was no use. He could not work. He
was consumed with his passion and
the more he sought to stifle 1t the
stronger it seemed to grow. He tried
to avoid the Burns home, but he found
that he might as well try to avoid tho
laws of gravitation. Finally after
some two months struggle he sue
cumbed and went to the old major
and made manly speech about it all.
He avowed his love and asked the ad-
| vice of the veteran.
The major was delighted. He fair
ly beamed at the idea. The one terror
| of the old mans life had been the
| thought that he would die and leave
his ''little girl' unprovided for to
| struggle with the world alone. Then,
too, his pension was sufficient to per-
nit them to live only in the most
| economical fashion and his dim eyes
saw many good things that would
come to gladden. his declining days, as
we'll as the luxury his daughter would
be able to live in. His enthusiasm i'm
parted itself to the suitor and the up
shot of it was that he was encouraged
to make the proposal he so desired
but not that day nor until the major
had had talk with Elsie.
She accepted, but there was a
frightened look in her eyes as she
said "yes'' and the doctor thought
there was slight shrinking when he
planted the first kiss, reverently
upon her fair forehead. But he was
too happy to think of such trifles and
he accepted his new-found bliss at full
par value. Then there were happy
days full of long rides. gay theatel
parties and all the delights lover
can conjure for the object of his de
votion. And it is an open question
whether the lover or the old major
was the happiest.
Then came the awakening. One
evening the doctor sprang gayly into
the little parlor and beheld Elsie will
face more radiant that he had eve1
seen it. He also found there stal
wart young fellow wearing the uni
form of Uncle Sam adorned with tn.
straps of first lieutenant. He wa!
duly presented as Archie Cunning
ham, boyhood friend of Elsie's, al
officer of the volunteers in the Phil
ippines, home on sick leave, in proc
whereof was his right arm slung il
bandage. There was merry even
ing in which the old. major discussed
with enthusiasm the military problem
of the day with the young officer ant
the doctor watched with sinkin.
heart the bright eyes of the girl rest
ing ever upon the handsome face owe
the shoulder-straps.
The doctor excused himself earl.
} and went to his bachelor apartment
with anguish in his heart. There h
gave the entire night to long strug
gle with himself. It was evident tha
the girls heart was not his. He
, promise was and he knew her wei
enough to feel assured that she woul
keep her promise and become hi
wife. He had not the slightest doub
: as to her loyalty, and knew that ono
his wife would be as true a
steel. But he was equally as
: sured (curse that internal habi
: of analysis) that he did not pos
sess her heart and that the stalwar
young fellow in the blue uniform die
All night long he ran hot and colo