The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1904-06-09

fessional career she had lost her wits.
The carriage had been dismissed, and
in tremor OF fright she ran-yes, ac-
tudlly ran to the home Of the man for
whom, not an hour ago, she had told
herself she cherished only sincere
friendship. AS she entered the sick
mans room, he stretched out both his
hands, and with a hollow laugh he
exclaimed, "Trixie, my darling, have
you come at lastp With that he seized
her hand and pressed it to his fevered
cheek. How l have been longing for
you,' he continued. "And TO think
that she thought all the time that /
wanted her. Bah, she's cranky old
maid, and a blue-stocking in the bar
gain. 1 was foolish enough to think l
was in love with her before she studied
medicine. She can go on rolling pills
until the crack of doom so far as l
am concerned. No sane man would
want her after he had seen you"
For moment the physician vanished
and jealous, wounded woman took
her place. Louise drew her hand away,
and it was fortunate for certain Miss
Beatrice Alden that she was still in
Albany. Then the physician returned
and set to work to quiet the rawlings
of her patient. Together she and the
little mother labored and soon the sick
man fell into a tranquil sleep. Then
she sent the mother off to bed and
alone she kept the vigil. The gray
light Of morning was creeping in at
the windows when the sleeper awoke
to perfect consciousness,
Mother" he began family, II have
had such wretched dreams the blessed
night long. l thought Louise was here
and she had the faculty of changing
herself into a fascinating young girl
and then a sour old bag. Mother, do
you think che cares even a little bit
for me?"
"She loves you more than anything
in the world, even her darling profes.
eion," n trembling voice whispered in
his ear. for Louise was on her knees
Mt his bedside and had her arms around
him. IL never knew how loved you
until saw you so desperately ill.," the
voice continued, and in her heart of
hearts Louise Alden knew that she
was lying.
. When the little mother came in, some
three hours later, Bernard informed her
that DR.. Alden said he might be i'll a
long time, with suspicious stress on
the might" and that she could the
better care FOR him, they had decided
TO be married at once. Mrs Holme
was willing. More than that, she went
herself to secure the license and the
preacher, for she had no notion Of CIV
ing Louise an opportunity to change
her mind. She had always believed
that some day the wilful girl would
come to her senses and do the rational
thing. Now that she was in the humor,
the rOissummp ton Of a twleve-year-old
devotion could not be brought about
too quickly. III be ever tells her that |
he wasn't delirious q bit and that we !
plotted the whole thing, she'll want TO
murder us both" the old lady re.
Elected
That afternoon Louise sat, happy and |
radiant, at the bedside Of her husband,
who was already clamoring to get up, |
when guests were announced.
Cant l go right up?" a merry voice
in the hall below asked II thought |
she would be at the station, and when
1 could not find her in the crowd we
went to her Office, and the maid sent |
us over here"
1t was Trlx; but whom had she
brought with her? Overcome with Gu
riosity Louise went to the head of |
the stairs. The young girl was at her
side in n moment and had both arms |
around her neck.
ooh, Auntie, darling" she whispered, |
her face crimson with bushes, we've
eloped, Isn't it simply too delicious?
What will papa say? Frank begged so
hard, and you know it is impossible to /
resist the man you love. He met me
at Buffalo and we were married be-
tween trains this morning. His mother
was there to swear that was Of age. |
Now, Auntie, won't you be good to poor
Mr.. Holme? 1 met him on the train
last week and think he is charming.
And besides, 1t would make things so
much easier for me il 1 could write
papa that you were married. too"
"Mr Holme is suffering with a Sc
we're case of grip" Louise said earnest
ly, land you are a foolish child to run
away and get married. You will never
halfway appreciate your love because
you will never see it slipping away