Middletown transcript., 1904-12-10

She proved a trifle troublesome to he
mother, because she persisted in hel
much-prized physical culture. despite hel
lameness still, the good woman solaced
herself with viewing its beneficial effects
upon her child, whose foveliness was en-.
hanched rather than diminished by the
wearing OF simple but tasteful negligee
dress.
Tile weeks wore on, and Thyrza was
still confined to the house, for the per-
yersely obstinate sprain was reduced but
slowly. despite the doctors unfailing
attention. But finally the improvement
in her ankle became SO pronounced that
she declared that she was no longer in
need Of physicians superintendence.
Moreover, as had been limited, the means
of the Trainres were but slender, and
the presentation Of the medical bill was
not regarded without solicitude. Never
tleless, Thyrza discovered regret at the
anticipation OF the discontinnance Of the
Doctors visits, which had been very
agreeable in a social way. The new
world in which she now lived was bright
ened by his edifying thoughts and enter
tanning words, and in truth lie was the
only person in the village who seemed
to be in exact sympathy with her high
ambitions in mental development.
One morning there was knock at the
front door, and as Mrs. Trainer had gone
to the store, ThyrZa demonstrated her
convalescence by lilnping forward and
admitting-Doctor Dundore. When his
usual inquiries were answered he was
about to adjust himself to his customary
leisurely chat, when Thyrza whose
abruptness was explicable by her wish
to introduce disagreeable topic oppor-
tunely-mustered up courage to say,
Doctor" - she had not called him
"Frank" ssince his graduation-"I wish
to thank you heartily for your skillful
treatment Of my sprain-and- -to-ask
you for your bill.'
A twinkle appeared in the Doctors eye,
and smile overspread his face yet he
seemed somewhat uneasy as he responded
II am very much afraid that you will
think my charge entirely too great"
Thyrza was troubled, for she recol-
lected the apprehensions entertained by
herself and her mother, but she promptly
replied, Il know that I cannot repay
you in money, but whatever the amount
may be I will pay it soon as possible ;
if there is not SO much in the house it
will be procured in little while"
The young man was visibly embar-
rassed, but, remembering the old maxim
about "faint hearts and fair ladies'" and
being in fear that Mrs. Trainer might
appear upon the scene, stammered,
''Thyrza, my charge is very, very great ;
no sum OF money can cover it Ill
ask yourself in return, that | may wait
upon you forever Y
1t was gallantly said, but the young
girl was astounded perhaps the convic-
ton OF her extreme personal pIainness
had become so deep-rooted that she had
quite resigned herself to a spinster's
honorable fate-at all events, in her sur
prise and confusion she feebly revealed
her self-consciousness in this direction !;
but her lover, catching the drift Of her
thoughts and intuitirely perceiviEg a
vantage ground, put forth the courage
Of hope, and, pressing her to his heart,
swept away her self-depreciation with
a torrent Of loving utterance, concluding
with the declaration that her face was
the dearest and sweetest in all the world
to him, and employing phrase she
never forgot-"Thyrza, my beautiful r
Alas, Mrs. Trainer did arrive at the
very juncture when she Was least de-
sired but, bewildered though she was
by certain unexpected appearances, she
had sufficient perception of the situation
to retire upon some imaginary errand
to tile Kitchen.
The rest? Oh, that is an old, old
story. That winters morning was long,
long ago. Mrs. Frank Dundore is d very
happy and revered wife and mother.
Her eldest girl resembles her in many
respects, yet, strange to say, is destitute
OF those particular features that were
once counted So homely in the case Of
her mother. And Mrs. Rose Gerhart,
Mrs. Madge Refsnyder, Mrs. Martha
Wesses-as well as Miss Reba Litzen-
berg, who never married-regard Mrs
Thyrza Dundore as one Of the best-look-
ing women in Robesonia, or for that
matter in the township itself. As for
her husband--he considers her as far
and away the handsomest-and best !