Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1907-12-12

sibly he might have yielded but for one
thought, and that thought of Maddy
Clyde. He would not leave her alone
with Guy. even though Guy was true to
Lucy as steel. He would stay he would
watch and in time he would win the
young girl waiting now for him in the
hall below. waiting to tell him mid
bushes of shame and tears of regret how
she had meant to pay him with her very
first wages, but now Uncle Joseph was
coming home, and he must wait little
longer.
Would he, could he be SO good" and
unmindful of Guys presence Maddy laid
her hand confidingy upon his arm, while
her soft eyes looked beseechingly into
his. Guy left them together in the light
ed hall. Sitting down on the sofa, and
making Maddy sit beside him, the doctor
began:
"Maddy, you know l mean what l say,
at least to you, and when l tell you that
never think of that bill except when
you speak of it, you will believe me. l
know your grandfather's circumstances,
and l know, too, that l did much to in
duce your sickness, consequently if made
one out at all, it would be a very small
one"
He did not get any further, for Maddy
hastily interrupted him, and while her
eyes flashed with pride, exclaimed:
II will not be charity patient!s l
say will not =! I'd be a hired girl before
I'd do it!'
1t troubled the doctor to see Maddy
so disturbed about dollars and cents-to
know that poverty was pressing its iron
hand upon her young heart; and only be-
cause she was so young did he refrain
from offering her then and there rest
ing place from the ills of life in his shell
tering love. But she was not prepared,
and he should only defeat his object by
his rashness, so he restrained himself,
though he did pass his arm partly around
her waist as he said to her:
II tell you, Maddy, honestly, that when
l want that bill liquidated I'll ask you.
l certainly will. and I'll let you pay it,
too. Does that satisfy you"
Yes, Maddy was satisfied, and after Q
little the doctor continued:
by the way, Maddy, l have some idea
of going to Europe for a few months, or
year or more. You know it does a ply
sician good to study a while in Paris.
What do you think of it? Shall go?
The doctor had become quite necessary
to Maddy's happiness. He it was to
whom she cOnfided all her little troubles,
and to lose him would be a terrible loss,
and so she answered that if it would be
much better for him she supposed he
ought to go, though she should miss him
sadly and be so lonely without him.
Would you, Maddy? Are you in earn
est? Would you be the lonelier for my
being gomez" the doctor asked, eagerly.
With her usual truthfulness, Maddy re-
piled "Of course l should" and when,
after the conference was ended, the doc
tor stood for a moment talking with Guy,
ere bidding him goodnight he said: II
think | shall not accept your European
proposition. Somebody else must cure
Lucy"
The next day, as Guy had proposed. he
rode down to Honedale, taking Maddy
with him, and offered so many reasons
why she should not be called home that
the old people began to relent, particu-
larly as they haw how Maddy's heart was
set on the lessons Guy was going to give
her. She might never have like oppor-
tunity. the young man said, and as a good
educa ton would put her in the way OF
helping them when they were older and
needed her more, it was their duty to
leave her with them. He knew they OBJ
jected to her receiving three dollars a
week, but he should pay it just the same,
and if they chose they might, with
part of it. hire a little girl to do the
work which Maddy would do were she at
home.
Maddy was very happy after it was
settled and chatted gayly with her grand
mother, while Guy went out with her |
grandfather, who wished to speak with |
him alone.
Young man." he said. "you have taken
a deep interest in me and mine since I
first came to know you, and | thank you
for it all. | have nothing to give in re-
turn except my prayers. and those you
have every day; you and that doctor. l
pray for you two just as | do for Maddy.
Somehow you three come in together.
You're uncommon good to Maddy. 'Tain't
everyone like you who would offer and
assist on learning her."
Grandpa felt relieved when he had said
all this to Guy. On their return to the
house grandpa showed Guy the bedroom
intended for Uncle Joseph, and Guy, as
he glanced at the furniture, thought with
in himself how he would send down from
Aikenside some of the unused articles
piled away in the garret when he refIlr- i,
lshed his house. He was becoming great
" interested in the Markhams, caring
nothing for the remarks his interest might
excite among the neighbors, some Of
whom watched Maddy half curiously as
IN the stylish carriage. beside its stylish
,wner, she rode back to Aikensde in the
Iuiet autumnal afternoon.
Ito be continued.)