Middletown transcript., 1902-01-25
By Advice of the Doctor.
BY JOHN J. BECKETT

thing serious the matter with my heart
It is a very ordinary affection of ths
organ-a young woman. Being womal
yourself you can appreciate the situation
and your professional training will enabl
you to give cool-headed opinion on tn
subject. Please do not think this absurd
I shall be really grateful for your advice. ;
Doctor Boynton's gaze had been fixet
on him rather searchingly, and she re
garded him for second or two non-com
mittally; then, apparently accepting hin
as an unconventional patient rather thar
a tri1er, she remarked, brusquely, but
not disagreeably, 1T certainly is hardly
case for a doctor, not to mention that il
is singular you should have recourse to q
stranger in a-love affair." However,
after YOU have informed me how you
think can be of service, / shall know
better what to say"
''Thanks. You see you will have an
unbiased view of the matter, and it is
hard for me to get that. ! am in love
with young woman, and have asked
her to marry me. She has told me that
she does not love me, although liking me
very we'll. I have urged her to become
my wife Notwithstanding, thinking love
will come after marriage. Am I justified
in this? Would she be doing an unwise
thing in asserting to my desire2"
Doctor Boynton had listened atten-
lively, with slightly cynical air. When
he paused she kept her limpid, penetrat-
ing gaze bent on him in calm scrutiny,
as if trying to probe his soul. He met
her gaze with the most candid, unfiinch-
ing manner. Then she spoke, with all
the vigor of conviction and directness he
could possibly wish.
81 think it the unwisest thing you
could possibly do. As foolish for one as
the other. When two rational beings
commit themselves to anything as serious
as the married state they should have
every incentive to it that Nature supplies,
and be warranted in taking the step by
all Of each ones individual conditions.
I regard love as the most essential of
these, since that is Natures way Of des-
ignatiug two beings for the matrimonial
yoke. With that feeling no trial, physi.
cal or moral, need prove too great strain
on the bond that binds. Without it, the
very bond itself will become an intoler-
able inf1iction. I assume" Boyn-
ton interrupted herself-"that the young
woman is about your age"
"She is twenty-three. l am twenty
eight"
''Faney a woman of that age, if she be
normal and healthful, going through her
life without falling in Lowell If she is
strong minded and full of principles she
might come to love you after marriage,
as you foolishly hope. But suppose she
falls in love with another man! What
happy time then! Think how you would
feel!
"If you were two middle-aged persons,
with the flame in the lamp of Life burn
ing moderately but steadily, such a mar
riage of convenience might be perfectly
reasonable. Neither your friends nor
the world could find any objection to it.
As it is, for you two young people with
the best part Of your lives before you, it
would be little short of insanity" con-
cluded Doctor Boynton, with quiet in
tensity, looking squarely into the young
mans eyes with sort Of professional
aloofness.
She paused as if to signify that the in
terview was ended. But Appleton, who
had listened with growing fascination to
her fervid remarks, wished for more.
There was such sense in her positivism,
which was yet impersonal, while her
voice, face and manner were full Of
allurement.
"You are very good" he said, simply.
II quite see the force of your remarks.
But | can do nothing now but await the
girls decision. There is one other thing
! would like to ask you, to see if you will
condemn my action there"
This is certainly an extraordinary
clinic" " remarked the Doctor, drily. But
she awaited his other point without any
sign of annoyance.
'Will you kindly read this letter2'
She had no more than glanced at the
handwriting before she exclaimed, 'This
is Dora Wingate's hand" Then she
suddenly seemed to take in the situation,
and flashing an arraigning glance at him
she demanded, care you dear Bob?'"
eyes," he replied, feeling rather fool
ish. " Dear but not loved. When
you have read your letter." he continued,
"you might give me mine"
(Which have. not read," she said,
meaningly. 81 will get it now. You
will excuse me for little" and she left
the room.
-AAoOA =" AAOLAOub BIG 4CbuI4ISQ Will I'LL
envelope exactly like the one he had
given her. She handed it to him, and
they both began to read. His ran as
follows:
DEAR BoB:-You have right to insist
on a definite answer to your question.
You shall have it-after six weeksl-if you
do what l ask. Let me think it over
without seeing you or hearing from you
for that length of time. I can come to a
conclusion better that way. 1 like you
too well not to wish my decision to be
fully thought out and absolutely final,
both for your sake and mine. Ifyou can
not, or will not, assent to this you leave
me no choice but to say ''No'' now.
Your sincere friend always,
DORA WARD WINGATE.
7. 5. If you suffer "a change of heart"
in the meantime don't hesitate to tell me.
| could never marry a man who didn't
love me. Remember
Doctor Boynton, who read rapidly, had
finishsd her letter before he had his, and
was regarding him somewhat severely.
"Dora condemns me to exile, and you
drive me to despair" he said, with droll |
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