Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1907-12-05

Martin, DR.. Harvey Wilmot made the
last of his evening round of calls and
started toward his office.
There was a harassed look upon his
face, usually SO serenely handsome,
and in his heart there was that long
ing for a confidant which sometimes
takes possession of wifeless men. Ac-
cordingly. as he neared the residence
of Hon. I. B. Paine, a block nearer
town, his steps grew slower and he
stopped
Upon such occasions he had found
the society of Honora Paine very
soothing. Her reposeful manner, her
well chosen words, her even voice,
were balm to his ruffled spirits, worn
out in sympathy for others ailments,
irritated by the many veXations Of
physicians life.
He had never honestly told him
self that he intended to marry her, but
the thought was in his mind, still un-
formed, perhaps, and as for Honora,
the matter was settled with her, and
when thing went so far as that, il
sery seldom changed.
She came forward to meet him this
evening in her slow, dignified way,
preserving the perfect sweep of he"
gown, which in it's lilac silk and
black velvet displayed her big blonde
beauty to perfection, showing as
much enthusiasm as she ever allowed
herself.
She wound up her warm welcome
by saying:
I'VE We're afraid that you had for
saken us; your visits have been so
scarce of late"
Honoras cousin, Ruth Joslin, who
was politely included in the plural
pronoun, was seated reading near the
CRATE, which the chill evening of
early spring made comfortable She
returned his sautation and went back
TO her reading.
You look tired" said Honora, an
voice; 81 fear you are working too
hard and trying to carry too many bur.
dens at once"
Then, with tender interest, she be-
gan to inquire after certain of his pa
tients.
The most urgent need | have is in
the case of Mrs. Martin" said he;
they live in the next block, and are
old acquaintances of mine. Mrs. Mar
tin is suffering from nervous prostra-
tion, and the invalid and three chill
dren are entirely without care. Being
strangers here, they have no neigh
bors to call upon and | cannot hope
for very much success until help can
be procured"
Before Honora could frame a con-
soling reply, to this confidence, Ruth,
who had been listening earnestly,
spoke to her:
"Honora, let us send them Jane
We can do her work for a while.
Honora turned a voice and face of
gentle reproach on her cousin.
My dear Ruth, how unneighborly
it would seem, even if Jane could
leave her duties, which you know is
impossible. We must not forget our
duty to strangers. | will go myself
tomorrow"
Thank you, Miss Paine" said the
young man, gratefully; you will be
showing the truest kindness in going
And he mentally compared the gem
erosity of the two girls, much to
Ruth's disadvantage.
The next morning Or. Wilmot en-
tered the gate of the Martin resi-
dence In the front yard the fve-year-
old twin boys We're holding a circus,
supplying the lack of wild beasts with
their own lungs
At the door he was let in by ten
year-old Mary, who wore a general
untidy, discouraged look The dining
room was open, showing a dusty car
pet, scattered over with oases in the
shape of ashes, bits of coal and
crumbs.
When he entered the sick room,
there sat, by the bed, Honora Paine,
in an irreproachable street gown and
bonnet, carrying ON formal CONVEX
sation.
Honora was sweetly sympathetic
during the call, and watched the doc
tor approvingly as he drew the cur
tains and tried to make Mrs. Martin
comfortable.
That evening he called again. hope
lessly, to be sure. He noticed that the
porch and walks were tidily swept.
and the mornings litter absent from
the front yard.
In answer to his ring a trinity at
tired figure opened the door, in whom
he recognized Ruth Joslin.
A pinafore was drawn snugly over
street dress, her darhlashed blue
almost black with excitement
exercise her bronze-brown hair
ed fiufIily over her forehead Rails
a warning hand, she said:
j do not think you should go up
dst yet Dr. Wilmot; | left Mrs. Mar
tin sleeping quietly only short time
ago. Tea is ready, and Mr. Martin
wishes to know if you will not come