Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-06-05
THE
PROPOSAL
By LAMOTTB BRBB.

HALF way up the hill, on the main
road, crossing the small town OF
Pertuis, stands the plain, comtorta bic
house of DIR. de st. Leonard, an OLD
country physician, celebrated miles
and miles around for his learning his
zeal, his inexhaustible kindness, his
hump and his gig. The gig, an old-fash-
toned vehicle, is drawn alternately by
two venerable animals, Cocotte and ia
Vote, so much alike that were it not
that Cocotte's hair is grayish yellow
and Javotte's grayish brown, one could
not distinguish the one from the other
Going at their usual jog trot, that no
obiurgation, no castigation, can acccel-
crate, the doctor, who knows the use
lessness of his efforts, resigns himself
to the inevitable; once on the road he
rolls the reins around the whip, takes
out book and reads.
If you meet a hunchbacked little
man in an Anticipated gig drawn by a
prehistoric animal, you have seen DR..
de St. Leonard. He has devoted him
self for more than forty years to the
arduous duties of country physician.
Plain featured, it is true, but look at
his eyes; they reveal a superior intel
lect, keen spirit, and above all di-
vine kindness that eliminates his
whole countenance.
John, the only son of the doctor, is
neither hunch-backed nor ill-fa-
vored; quite the contrary, indeed.
Having completed gloriously his med
ical studies in Paris, he renowned the
brilliant career opened to him in the
very capital, and preferred to assist
his father in his humble work of devo-
ton and charity. Tender-hearted, his
only ambition is to continue his
fathers mission of perpetual abnega-
ton, untiring and discreet generosity.
For John, the supreme glory is to
double, in this small place, the affec-
ton for the honored name he bears,
and to prolong, by the exercise CT the
same qualities as the old man, the
grateful popularity he enjoys.
So John came courageously and
cheerfully, burying himself in Pertuis
to attend patients at two francs Wis
it, following in everything the example
of his father, who never claimed fee
from the poor, and often left silver
coin under the prescription.
Thenceforth there were two Drs.
de St. Leonard at Pertuis. Everything
went on as before.
Javotte and Cocotte were at first
rather jealous of pretty Blanchette,
the young doctors nag, who in most
reprehensible juvenile ardor dared to
pass them on the road.
The people had thus-happy people
two learned doctors and two good
men devoted to their welfare.
Happy peoplel 1 repeat it, for, he
sides these two emeritus practitioners,
they possessed the most active, the
most charming the most generous vol
unteer Sister of Charity, Isabelle Du-
plessis, who resided in the sumptuous
villa on the hill Her father, a multi
millionaire, had gone to America when
quite a young man and identified him
self with the country and advanced
business habits of the Americans. Re
turning to France after long absence,
he introduced innovations and i'm
provements in the iron industry, and
amassed an immense fortune. His only
daughter, Isabelle, born and reared in
the United States, rode here and there
through the country, with American
independence, in her light phaeton'
drawn by fleet ponies and accompanied
by little groom.
What a contrast with the old doctors
creaky vehicle!
Isabelle's drives took the direction
of the neighboring villas when polite
ness required it, but very often she
wendell her way to the poor's stray cot
tages on the road where she was
anxiously expected, giving abundantly
to everyone, consoling the unfortun-
ates, nursing the sick. They called her
"Our Angel" There was joy at Per-
tuis and for many miles around when
she returned from Paris for the sum
mer season.
She often met DR.. de st Leonard in
her charitable visits. Between the old
doctor and the young girl in the bloom
of youth and beauty, their sprang, at
the bedside of the sick and the dying,
mysterious charity alliance, a friend
ship that amounted almost to adora-
ton. Isabelle revered the humble,
learned, devoted man who lived only
for others; he worshiped the golden
haired young girl, all sunshine and
grace.
An old admirer of the classics, he
compared her to a goddess descended
from Olympus to charm and assuage
mans suffering at Pertuis.
When John began his medical calls
with his father, what should natur.
ally happen, happened.
Meeting everywhere the young girl
who came to him as friend, sister
admitted to the villa in perfect init
macy-hearing at home the eulogies
of the old doctor in honor of the God
dess of Pertuis, John de St. Leonard
fell passionately in love with Isabelle
Deep love, the immense love of true
heart which, giving itself for the first
time, gives itself forever; unique ant
absolute love; love which, at once re
allied, knows itself hopeless and sur
rounds itself with dignity in an impen
etrable mystery. DR.. de st. Leonard
did not suspect it any more than NJ
Duplessis, and if Isabelle was more
perspicacious, Notwithstanding al
Johns efforts, it is because the woman
beloved always realizes the sincere
love she inspires, and which ascends to
wards her as the perfume of flowers
nothing can stiffie.
, Not a word, not an allusion ever be
trayed the young doctors secret; h'
expected to live and die with it-mayb'
die from it. Between Isabelle and him
self lay an insurmountable obstacle