Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1917-01-24
A True
Love
BY AMANDA M. DOUGLAS
copyright, by Joseph B. Bowles.)

DR.. McKinstry lifted Clyde Donovan
around her. She was pretty enough
to be surveyed anywhere; and yet,
not one of the beautiful women who
startle you by their charms.
It's too bad to give you all this
trouble
Il don't want you to think that. I'm
glad to do anything for you. And
I've sick man over by the Hollow.
I should have gone again this evening,
In any event."
But you did not know that when
you offered to take me-" she respond.
Cd, archly.
mo. You would have been just as
welcome, though"
He touched the horse, who flew
along over the snowy road, jingling
his bells to the prancing accompani-
ment of his feet.
DR.. McKinstry rarely reverted to
his own life. Clyde knew as much of
him as everyone else in Milford knew.
Seven years before, he had come there
with strange, wild-looking woman,
who still possessed the remains Of
great beauty, one babe of a few
months, and a little boy two years
old. He looked aged and careworn,
then; indeed, Clyde thought him grow
ing younger every year. 1t came out,
presently, that Mrs. McKinstry, in
spite of all her husbands efforts, was
confirmed opium eater. What he
had suffered in these years, no one
knew; beyond the fact that he had
given up fine city practice, he had
inherited from an uncle, and come to
this little country village to keep his
wife away from the temptation, if
possible. Two years afterwards, she
had finished her course by suicide He
had gone on quietly, gaining every
ones good opinion for his skill and
his ready sympathy. Not much given
to words or promises, but abundant
in good deeds, asking no ones pity,
but bestowing his own on all who
were in need or distress.
Clyde was an orphan and lived with
uncle, whose farm joined DR.. Nc
[instry's cottage grounds. 1t was
gimply natural that they should come
" everyday
Clyde's cousins, boys they had all
been, were married and gone from
home. Now and then DR.. McKinstry
offered his services, in a matter of
fact way, when Clyde needed them,
and no one else was at hand. She &C
cepted them in the same spirit. At 20,
she was not likely to be dreaming of
such a lover
And so, when Bessie Trainor had
sent her an invitation to the ball, and
a more urgent one to stay all night,
DR.. McKinstry had offered to take her
over.
Bessie, and a host of girls were
there, in the dressingroom. They
kissed Clyde, told her that she looked
lovely, begged her to tie a ribbon or
fasten some flowers in somebody's
hair. They all talked and laughed to-
gether.
ooh, he's splendid" Bessie said, in
answer to one of the girls. Now,
see who will make a conquest l can
not enter the lists, you know"
Bessie was to be married soon.
'WhO?" said Clyde, looking up.
"Oh, a Mr.. Bruce. He is boarding
here. He is to be bookkeeper in the
new wooden mill, and has come up to
see about the machinery, and some
other matters. He is real entertaining
and agreeable. I like him. Come,
girls! are you ready? There's the
music, and here comes a new crowd"
They went down to the large room,
that was everything by turns. Bessie
chung to Clyde. She had two or three
secrets to whisper in her ear. There
were several gentlemen waiting for
them, grouped together, discussing or
binary country topics. One stood a
tride apart. Clyde knew in a moment
it must be Mr.. Bruce. Mark Trainor,
as landlords son, began to do the
honors. And so it came to pass that
Clyde was the last to be introduced:
consequently, Mr.. Bruce fingered by
her. Perhaps, too, because he felt
better acquainted with Bessie
They spoke of the weather and the
sleighing. Mr.. Bruce pronounced it
wonderfully fine, and declared him
self quite in love with Milford. He
confessed he had been little afraid
of a months loneliness.
And told him the ball was in his
honor said Bessie, archly. Il am
to open it with him. Do you know,
had half mind to send him after
your
Clyde almost wished she had. No, it
was such pleasure for DR.. McKinstry
to bring her.
After Mr. Bruce danced once with
Bessie, he came back to Clyde, and
engaged her for several quadrilles. He
was extravagantly fond of dancing.
So was she. And this was Just the
kind of entertainment at which one
might enjoy ones self thoroughly. Mr..
Bruce confessed that these country
bellies and beaux were not deficient in
refinement and courtesy; and, as to
hpauty and taste would hnar fovoro