Middletown transcript., 1902-01-25
By Advice Of the Doctor
CONTINUED FROM PAGE FOUR.

| LII Is pltlIul muQul6! positively
refuse to say another word in the matter" !"
The drive home was swift one.
Tiree days later Appleton asked Doctor
Buynton to drive to Ludworth's Pond.
1t was one Of the most romantic spots in
the neighborhood She declined, good
natu edly but firmly. He pleaded so
strongly, however. saving that perhaps
it was tie last they would have together,
that she yielded. Knowing her own
strength and digility was to beforearmed.
They had no sooner got out into the
country than he drew letter from his
pocket, and exclaimed, with joyful air,
81 have got an answer to my letter to
Miss Wingate"
"From your manner | can only con-
clude that congratulations are in order,"
said Doctor Boynton. She showed no
special enthusiasm.
"Half in ORDER" lie laughed back, too
pleased to be dampened by her unsympa-
thetic attitude 'Listenp'
| LEAN lOu ildF6 QOHG
right. 1t was little hard for you when
you did not know what had said in my
letter. Well, happily, l am able to re-
turn you that in the envelope in which
you inclosed it. You will see that the
envelope has not been opened. Accept
my congratulations. When you have
read my letter you will see how sincere
they are. We shall always be good
friends, unless the other woman is too
jealous! And, Bob, it wouldn't surprise
Inc if she were! But whether she cuts
me off from you or not you will always
have friend in
| THEODORE WARD WISGATE.
$50 she refused you in the letter! Do
you know" she added, turning her clear
eyes, sparkling with fun, on him, 'I can
not tell whether it was asensible thing in
her or not"
'sYou fatter me, learned Doctor"
he retorted. "I know it was the best
thing in the world. But there is post
scriptP' The laughter was in his eyes
and voice now.
"Must hear that, too?" murmured
Doctor Boynton, pathetically. She may
have recalled the force of Dora's post
scripts.
eyes; perhaps you can explain it to
me.
P. S. Tell dear old Joe that think her
advice was so good that l advise her to
follow it herselfl
Now, what does she mean by that?'
"You have not yet read her first let
ter" was her placid response.
Appleton laughed like a boy, ripped
open the two envelopes, and began to
read aloud
DEAR BoB:-It is cruel, as we'll as need
less, for me to keep you waiting any
longer for my answer, especially as i'm
agine it will enable Doctor Boynton to
prove that her advice to me is good
enough for her to follow herself!
Appleton looked eagerly at the Doctor,
who was serenely regarding the broad
stretch of tobacco-plants at their right.
He went on:
l have an idea this decision will not
plunge you into understandable grief.
When read about your noble conduct at |
the fire my mind was made up. I thrill |
led all through, and never admired you
so much. I felt then that it would be |
little less than criminal to marry you
with the slightest doubt about loving |
you, and, dear Bob, didn't even love |
you even then. hope the other woman |
will be worthy of you. I really think |
she will, for She
Appleton had been reading more
slowly and indistinctly, and now stopped
short and crushed up the letter. ''That's
ALL" be said,
"How very rude to check your child
like confidence SO abruptly. And the let
ter is so highly amusing, as well as in
structive. Something seems to have en-
larged Dora's intelligence. Will you
kindly finish it?''
He laughed, smoothed out the letter,
and read with mocking emphasis:
I really think she will, for she is dear
old thing and can't help but fall in love
tremendously! Always your friend.
DORA.
Doctor Boynton burst into a peal of
laughter that lasted for full minute. It
would have seemed hysterical but for its
ringing mirthfullness. Then she straight
ened up and frightened her grip on the
reins. "Thus endeth the lesson" she
remarked.
Appleton was silent. Then he said,
pensively, Wasn't it lucky Dora's letter
came to meP'
"Why, I fancy the outcome would
have been the same in any case,'
tA9fHitIe ne outcome Is that, / nave been
spared the mistake of lifetime, and
have come to love the finest woman in
the world" he exclaimed, with unpre-
meditated ardor.
elbow charningl Your versatility as
a lover is phenomenal" Il
pardon me. l have never been in
love before"
'eYou thought you were. How do you
know that you are now%''
'Just as when one sees the naked
truth it is impossible to doubt it. Doctor
Boynton, could not tell you before. Ny
tongue was tied. I can't help telling
you now, because I so long to hear from
you one little word that shall mean hope.
l love you with my whole soul. You
will know whether this is so or not. Can
you say that little word?"
He put forth his hand, its strong come
illness marred by the glistening scar
which made its glory, and let it rest on
hers.
She turned her face toward him, soft
with feeling, but there was ripple of
mirth in her vibrant voice as she asked,
banteringly, "May marry you and learn
to love you afterward9''
'.sNo! / must have all. ] will take
nothing less from you. Come to me with
v, ur love or will go with mine.
THAT is an improvement. She still
spoke with gay, mocking air, and had
turned her face away