The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1908-01-11


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. T. B. Paine, a block nearer
town, his steps grew slower and ne
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 rufiied 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, stu I'M
| formed, perhaps, and as for Hcnora,
the matter was settled with her, and
when a thing went so far as that, 1t
very seldom changed.
She came forward to meet him this
| evening in her slow, dignified way,
preserving the perfect sweep OF her
| gown, which in its 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 were afraid that you had for
saken us; your visits have been SO
scarce Of late"
Honora's 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 salutation and went back
to her reading.
You look tired" said Honora, an
exquisite note of concern in her
voice; Il 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.
! tents.
"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-
ton, 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 . 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 while.
Honora turned voice and face of
gentle reproach on her cousin.
| my dear Ruth, how unneighborly
it would seem, even IL Jane could
leave her duties, which you know is
impossible. We must not forget our
duty to strangers. I 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 gen.
crosby of the two girls, much to
Ruth's disadvantage.
The next morning DR.. Wilmot an
tered the gate Of the Martin resi-
dence. In the front yard the fve-year
old twin boys were 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 general
untidy, discouraged look. The dining
room was open, showing q dusty car
pet, scattered over with GASES 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 a 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 tn,
porch and walks were tidily swept
and the mornings litter absent from
the front yard.
In answer to his ring trinity at
tired figure opened the door, in whom
he recognized Ruth Joslin.
A pinafore was drawn snugly owe
her street dress, her dark-lashed blu
eyes almost black with excitemen
and exercise, her bronze-brown hal
tossed fiuffily over her forehead. Rails
ing a warning hand, she said:
Il do not think you should go ~