The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-30

1T would not be correct to say that
loved Miss Baker at first sight which
WAS nearly half a year ago. Tor Mrs:
Tucker was then liying-a beautiful char
acter. sir. with apparently every prospect
of long and happy years before her. then
gone in q minute. as you might say
l;kc-like solf-filling. leaving only an
aching cavity where it had once bloomed.
But If 4 did not love Miss Baker i was
interested in her as never had been
in a. patient before; interested profession
ally.
You don't know hcr2 No; perhaps it is
better you shouldn't, for your peace OF
mind. sir Wait minute and I Will
show you something.
DR.. Tucker disappeared in the little
cubby-hole adjoining his operating room
and presently returned with a triumphant
smile and a set of false teeth. Il want
you to look at this he said. as he push
cd me gently back in the chair and AGAIN
gagged mo with the rubber apron. on
see, of course, what 1t is; but perhaps
only a professional man can appreciate
its fun beauty. There they lie.like gems
in a casket: thfrty-two of them, and every
one nawless. 1t is q picture for poet
to dream of. Now. you will hardly be-
1icve me- but / must ask you to take my
word for it. when say that these teeth,
made by the best artists in the world,
tNammel & Kusp. of Berlin), arn't one
bit finer. stronger, more regular or bet
Ter formed than the glorious set with
which nature has endowed Miss Baker.
And when it comes to beauty, gloss, and
what YOU would call expression. bless
you. sir. Manned and Kusp are nowhere
beside the simple handiwork OF nature
II is marvellous what nature can do when
she sets about It. Let me hold 1t up to
the light. Now just cast your eye along
that line from the first incisor to the
last molar on the left side. Look how
they blend together as 1t were: how the
slender bicuspid leans against the sturdy
,nolar. as an ivy clings to an oak See
the dimples in every crown OF those back
toetl,. Just drink in the beauties of this
set and then imagine. II you can. what
It was to have a set in the living subject
rs much finer than this as a star is
finer than an electIis light.
Well. you may guess what q. Joy it was
TO me 20 be called upon, once Of twice a
month. to go over those teeth of Miss
Bakers ono by one. lingering fondly over
each, watching anxiously lest there might
;oe the first symptom of decay. rejoicing
when ever found them sound and bril-
liant and spotless as pearls. There was
a time, after my second sad bereavement.
while the grief which i: brought to me
was slowly absorbing itself. and the al
yeolar processes Of my wounded heart
were 1nercifully cicatrizing-a sorrow-lad-
on period of ten days. during which I
never once entered my studio. When at
last I did return, found a vote from Miss
Baker. asking me to give her an appoint
mcrt, as she did not like, she said, to go
to stranger
j
What did 1t mean? asked myself
With beating heart At least 1t meant
what 1t said: was not a stranger to
her. OF course. was not foolish enough
to misunderstood the object OF her request
i, was strictly professional: yet could
not help indulging in wild hope that a
time might come when. And I could
wait The world was all before us, COM
paratively speaking; for Miss Baker was
in the prime Of her youthful beauty. and
our united ages would not exceed three
score and ten, which is the limit allotted
10 even single individual. believe.
..I wrotc at once. appointing the fo-
lowing Thursday Gt was then Monday
for her visit. 7 had hone hut alas. L
lad not the confidence to hasten the day
which should forever determine my fate
for good or i'll.
LET me pass over the time which,
interviewed. the long weary days of hope.
fear, doubt, agony. When I think OF
them now, sir. they almost drlve-ah.
beg your pardon-the probe went in a lit
lie too hard then. Let me take the nap
Kin to it. There, the pain will pass away