Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-15
WORLD FAMOUS STORIES
DR.. HETDECCER'S EXPERIMENT
By NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE

turning briskly away, she came with a
sort of dancing step to the table.
My dear old doctor" cried she,
pray favor me with another glass;"
The four glasses stood already re-
filed. AL four emptied them again
The next moment the exhilaratine
gush Of young life shot through their
veins. They were now in the happy
prime of youth Age, with its miserable
train of cares and sorrows and diseases
was remembered only as the trouble OF
a dream from which they had joyously
awakened.
we are young! We are young!" thay
cried.
They were a group of merry young
sterS. almost maddened with the exu-
berant frolicsomeness of their years
The most singular effect of their gayety
was TO mock the infirmity of that cid
age of which they are so recently
been victims. They laughed loudly at
their old-age attire. One even limped
across the floor, mimicking equity
grandfather. They made fun Of cid
DR.. Heideeger-the Widow Wycherly,
now a merry maiden, even asked the
doctor for dance!
Pray excuse me-" said the doctor.
quietly. 81 am old and rheumatic, and
my dancing days were over long ago.
But either of these gay young gentle
men viii be glad of SO pretty part
ner"
Dance with me, Clara" cried Col.
Killigrew.
mo, no, will be her partner" shout
ed Mr.. Gascoigne.
She promised me her hand so years
ago!' exclaimed Mr.. Melbourne.
They are gathered round her. One
caught both her hands in his grasp
another threw his arm about her waist
the third buried his hand among the
glossy curls that clustered on her head
Blushing painting, struggling, chlolnP
laughing. her warm breath tanning
each Of their faces by turns, she strove
10 disengage herself, yet still remained
in their triple embrace.
Never was there livelier picture 0;
youthful rivalry. with bewitching beauty
for the prize. Yet by strange de-
ception, owing to the duskiness OF the
chamber. and the old-age costumes
/ they wore. the tall mirror is said to
have reflected the figures OF three old
gray, withered grandsres. ridiculouSly
contending for the skinny ugliness OF 3
shriyeled grandam.
But they were young; their burning
passions proved them so. Infiamed tc
madness by the coquetry OF the girl
widow. who neither. granted nor quite
withheld her favors the three rivals
began 10 exchange threatening glances
Still keeping hold Of the fair prize. they
grappled fiercely at each other.
throat As they struggled 10 and fro
The table was overturned. and the vase
, dashed into a thousand fragments.
Come come. gentlemen Come
Mime. Wycherly.' exclaimed the doctor
4 really must protest against this riot
/ They stood sim and shivered. Fol
! it seemed as If gray Time were calling
| them back from their sunny youth, far
down into the chill and darksome yaif
| Of years Al the motion Of the doctor
nand the four rioters resumed theft
/ seats, the more readily because then
| violent exertionE had Wearied them
! youthful though they were.
The doctors guests ehivered again. A
/ strange chlllness. whether Of the bodj
! on spirit they could not tell. was creep.
ing gradually over them all ThcS
/ gazed at one another and fancied that
/ each fieeting moment snatched away q
/ charm, and left a deepening furro"
where none had been before
Are we grown old again so soonY
/ they cried. doiefully.
| III truth they had. The Water al
] Youth had power more passing thar
vine. The delirium which II dreaded
/ had gone Yes. they were old again.
Yes friends. you are old again,
/ said Or Heidegger. And you spilled
/ all the Water Of Youth. But I'm not
sorry, for If 1t gushed by my very door
| I would not stoop to battle my lips v
it,-sueh is the lesson you have taught
| me-"
But the doctors four friends hac
taught no such lesson 10 themselves
They resolved forthwith 10 make pill
grifnage 10 Florida. and quaff at morn.
Ing noon and night from the Fountain
. Of Youth