Year: 1863

So get your bonnet and shawl, as | want to
be off Immediately


went without farther question.


The capacous two-wheeled vehlcle--none of
the little pill boxes country doctors so much
affect-held ample space for two, and whirled
us miles away into the open country before |
had recovered from my delight and amaze at
the beauty of the October morning; for in the
town tie sun had dried up the rain OF the night
previous, and the streets were dry and dusty as
ever. Out here the drops still gittered in by
places, and a cool breeze swept up the road as
DIR. John slightly drew rein at the entrance to
a grove of pines.


The eye was satiated with light and color,
for the sun shone broadly, and the forest trees
which lined the country road with their dark
green frontage, lit up here and there with vivid
flames, looked like the victims of an auto-da-fe
going to their burning. The pines were a con-
trast, with their uniform color and dense shade.


Heavens peace over all 7 said the Doctor,
breaking silence. .How tranquil the still seren-
ity of these pines after the riotous. bacchanal
orgies of those walnuts and NAPLES. 1t is like
coming from some high carnival masquerade.
and sitting down to read godly John Fletcher
in the brooding freight of home


1t was picture of peace. The road was
seldom travelled but by laden farm-wagons the
silence of centuries dwelt in the tree tops,
and moved down the endless opening and clo-
sing vistas, falling cone or nimble step OF
wood squirrel, making by contrast the silence
more still, the stiffness more profound.
The carriage rolled slowly over the path,
where scant grasses grew; the trees casped
hands above our heads, and dropped the gloom
of night about us. was growing forgetful of
surroundings, inhaling the eternal perfume dis
titled from the pines green trees, the garnered
balm of incense breathing morns.' grew in
toxicated-it always affects me so; l can not
explain how, any more than / can why |
should wake up crazed and almost glbbering
when the moon shines full upon me slumbering.
thought it was having its effect upon the
doctor, too; he lapsed into sience-looked
dumb, and, lest we should both turn maniacs
together, ventured to waken him from his
trance. The horse just then caught glimpse
of sunshiny road discernible at the end OF the
grove, pricked up his ears and moved faster.
Doctor said l, your patient will die before
you get there!
| TIC lOOkeu uOWH eL liiO e.iid ShhlSo, 6issiiSSe
at the trees on either side, shook himself free
from fancies, and replied ~
No; he is better. | came out to minister
to mind diseased, but recollected the old
adage, physician heal thyselfr and have been
trying to get rid of a morbid growth of
melancholy, which has weighed upon my spirit
this 'year and many day Retrospection IS
not in general good for heart complaints, but 1T
has cured me, think


He smiled down on me again, cracked the
whip at the horses sense OF hearing rather than
at his hide, and we were whirled at our old
pace out of the forest.


The sun shone down on the stubbled fields,
sentineled here and there with naples in zouave
uniforms of red and yellow, gray old rock,
plumed and bearded with moss, lifted his head
like tall grenadier in a distant meadow. This
tie down, siver-wingcd and buoyant, floated a.
way in the still air, and some lazy winged swal-
lows chirped and gossiped the opinions about
their southern flight under the broken caves OF
red farm houses In the distance stood Merton,
the village we had left, asleep in the sun, its
walks and streets lined and guarded by the ma
Piles in their red array.


1t looked so like tranquility, repose alike for
mind and body; | sighed, thinking of the home
which awaited me there. There was no help
for it, but out of the very depths of despair
seemed born a sort of courage which nerved me
to take my fate into my own hands--to turn
destiny of quiet suffering by the alchemy OF the
will into the strength of hopeful endurance
But would try first if there was chance for
daylight, down here in the shadows. "Deeds
are born of resistance" thought L; ''passivity
corrodes nerve like canker." So spoke


'Dr John, two years ago you obtruded your
advice, thought. | resented the interference
But | see my error now. Iwish had followed
a part of your counsels. If you have plan
for me, will you tell it meY


'But you scorned my advice then, and called
me perfect tyrant What guarantee have l of
better treatment nowY


'If | have hewed out cisterns, broken cisterns
that have held no water, do not mock me, nor
withhold draught if you have it. Don't you
see am dying with the thirst OF expectancy
clasped my hands nervously. oh! DR.. John,
you do not know how much | need sympathy


sPoor child!' he said. Jennie, l am going
to do what have always said no man with
proper self respect would do. Nothing except
the torture Of seeing the woman | love under
90 such treatment as you do would ever have
opened my lips again. Have your changed CIR
cumstances made you repent the decision of two
years agoY


Selling my establishment Yes.


THAT was not what meant he said.


'As for the other part replied, rather pow
erty, starvation and suffering of any kind than
a marriage with one whom cannot love, nor
even esteem!


He looked as if had said enough, and did
speak strongly, for was grieved and hurt
Did he not intimate in one breath that he loved
me, and the next offer me that man as relief
from my self imposed servitude?


Jennie he returned, in subdued voice,
wish you conld find some one you considered
worthy Of your love. / was rash to arrogate
ca much m uvsef. hut hardly thought had