Year: 1859

that the ladies had found themselves some
what recruited after an hou's rest, an,
had leftin the afternoon train. He ha,
ventured, he said, to suggest to them tha
it would be better to remain for day o.
| two, or at least until they had again seer
The physician, but the sick lady was ex
eeedingly earnest to proceed on her jour
ney, and her daughter appeared confden
that the motion Of the cars would not in
crease the pain of her arm. They hat
left small enclosure to be delivered t.
Dr. Lansing, with their grateful regards


Thus saying, the friendly host handed
neat envelope to the young physician
and with a polite bow, he left the room
The address was written in delicate fe.
male hand, but there were no words with.
in. 1t simply contained handsome fec
for his services


Determined not to relinquish the hope
of tracing the fair.unknown at some future
day, Herbert sought the landlord, and re-
quested the names Of the ladies, but here
again he was baffled Their stay had been
so short that no name had been registered
on the books. t.fsSo


Nothing more was to be done, and slow
ly he rctraced his steps to his own apart
ments. Time and patience, had been nec-
essary before he beheld his first patient,
and time and patience seemed likely to be
in requisition ere they would again meet.
Good fortune seemed to follow in her train,
however, for scarcely was the young doc
tor again seated in his Office, when the bell
with another loud peal summoned him to
the door. One of the principal families
in the village requested his attendance.
Ere the evening closed, the name of four
patients stood conspicuously upon his
table. s+5


Months passed on, and there was no lack
of practice. DR.. Lansing was in contin-
ual demand, aud the success attending the
exercise of his professional skill had rails
ed him high in the estimation of the whole
neighborhood. Old and young regarded
him with favor, as many rosy cheek grew
still more rosy at his approach But
though ever polite and attentive to all there
was not the slightest appearance of pref
erence for any of the fair maidens who
stood ready candidates for his favor.


The memory of his first patient was still
vividly present to his mind, and in his
dreams she seemed to- stand, before him
with the same gentle purity Of expression
which had won his heart in that one brief
interview. There seemed little rational
hope that they would ever meet again, but
the romance of youth does not often go
hand in hand with nationality, and Her
bert frequently INDUCED in blissful antic-
ipations of the future in which tire fair
unknown held conspicuous part.


Summer and fall had passed away, and
the holidays were fast approaching, Ur-
gent letters from Uncle John earnestly
pressed for at least brief visit from his
favorite nephew; and indeed the kind old
man was continually in Herberts thoughts
but, although eighty miles seems short
distance in these days, the constant de-
mands on the time of physician had hith
erto rendered it improbable to leave,


Now, however, there seemed a prospect
that he might be allowed at least day or
two of recreation. There were no cases
requiring very close attention, and the old
doctor was in better health than usual
and kindly offered to do his best to supply
DR.. Lansing's place.


A pleasant ride of sixty miles in the
cars, and twenty miles of rough jolting in
stage coach brought him within short
distance of his old home, aud just at dusk,
one clear evening, he suddenly stood be.
fore Uncle John, who, seated in his arm
chair before blazing fire, was indulging
as was his wont in a short nap.


But the arm chair was speedily vacated
and all drowsiness vanished, as he clasped
his nephew in his arms, and mingled words
of welcome with hearty embrace.


at makes me feel young again to see
you once more, my dear boy" he exclaim
ed. "My heart has yearned to look upon
your face, but | knew that duty kept you
at your post, and your letters have done
much to comfort me during your absence
You are an excellent correspondent
could almost imagine myself talking with
you sometimes"


81 am glad that they were source o.
pleasure to you, my dear uncle. / have
feared that the daily life of physician
might be uninteresting, as you were unao
| Al - II. n a