Year: 1878

distinctly did see that she was not fiue
but not beautiful No, certainly failed


TO perceive that. Why, the child was en-


chdnting,-deicate, fair, round, supple,
| dainty, with as charming kitten-face as


ever you conceived of While we were


talking Mr.. Thompson came up, and l
asked him to let me drive Mademoisello
Marguerite home. He was under the mis-
taken impression that had my buggy be-


low, as, indeed, quite intended that he


should be, and, after little demurring, he
| assented.


al would not say yes to every gentleman,
can tell you, DOCTOR" he said. "But


think know my man, and you can take


her. Her aunt is very careful about her,


and she'll be disappointed enough at the


job you've done Tonight. She had built


great hopes on the girls success, and don't


exactly like to see her tomorrow. Suppose


you 60 in and explain matters TO her. You


did the mischief and ought to bear the


blame. If she'd been here it would not


have happened but her baby was sick, and


she could not coife,"


l uttered de7out thanksgiving that Il


was so, and willingly agreed to meet the
aunt and explain matters. So the girl and


myself set oht, leaving the manager in n
very good .huih6r, for the old hand had
proved most sotisfactory, and he knew the
new one might have failed, and the ballet
had been a success >, Down at the entrance
to the theatre ] called carriage, and put
Mqdemoiselle Marguerite into it, and, hav-
ing followed myself, proceeded to beguile
the tedum of q long drive by plying my
companion with d series of the most pointed
inquiries, which developed the following facts:
That the chld's parents were dead (but celia
"a sans dire, for she looked too essentially
orphaned to admit of doubt; also that
she lived with her aunt, who was very kind
and good, but very poor, and, as l learned
now from Maggie, rot wholly unconnected
with the laundry blisiness-she had no hus-
band and many babies; l also learned that
the rupture of this engagement would
greatly annoy and vex her kind protectress,
who had counted much on the wages her
skilful little danseuse niece would receive.


When we reached tile exceedingly hum
bic dwelling on Hill street which my COM
pahon designated as her residence, ] en-
tered and had the honor of presentation
to the aunt, with whom had an interview,
Of which it is necessary to state nothing exc
cept that it was of satisfactory nature


The next morning, happening to have d
patient in the neighborhood, called again,
and discovered Maggie (for so her aunt au-
dacously addressed the quandom Madem-
oiselle Marguerite) laborously Juggling
around big boy baby with as natural and
motherly little air as if gauze wings and
breezy costumes were things that had no
existence outside my own brain. She had a
cozy, comfortable little way with her as
saw her thus that made her seem not less
childlike, though more womanly. Seeing
she was still pale from last nights attack, |
told her to go of and get ready for a drive.
She obeyed in the simplest and most pleased
way, leaving me again with her aunt.
thought when she returned she would have
made some effort Mt smartness in her ap-
parel, but there was. not the least. How
ever, the deep bonnet had been replaced by
a big and widespreadiig hat, very scant as
to trimming, and very noncommtal as to
shape but somehow she looked very sweet
in it, and, as drove alofg with her, plying
her with deep-laid auestionngs, and eau
tisusy drawing her Out, I somehow got TO
find great sense Of comfort and pleasure
from the presence Of such perfect innocence,
truth, and genuineness, as I discerned in
my little ballet patient. did not 60 TO the
park, purposely choosing a more secluded
route but as we drove along encountered
several people Whom knew and was forced
TO recognize, who looked at inc and at my
strange companion with a surprise mitigated
by the fact that every one considered Mr..
Monroe an oddity-an unaccountable mar,
who cared nothing for what people thought.
In reality minded their comments so little
and was so littb influenced by the stares
my elegant lady friends directed toward me
as their swell equipages bowled past that
got in the habit Of taking Maggie with mo
every evening on my rounds, and / found
myself growing oddly dependent on the
pleasure of these drives The little crea-
ture was so artless, and naive, and charm
ing that contact and association with her
were to me a delightful change from the
forms and manners of other people.


I wonder if have succeeded, in sort Of
sneaking attempt, which l will own TO, #
making you regard me as a respectable,
mddle-aged physician, hopelessly old and
tedious, and beyond the range of tender
passions of any kind If | have, the whole
structure must be pulled down now, and
will have TO ask you to receive with your
acquaintance q young man of twenty eight,
by no means antedeluVian as to dress and
manner, and well-looking, as he is told!
This statement Of facts is necessary just here
10 make you comprehend how it was that
the sweet little Maggie actually became
iona OF Inc ana MADE Tue see IL. AS nad
previously ascertained the fact that l was
exceedingly fond of her, took a week to
think about it, and then went to the aunt
to propose certain plans, which, being put
into execution, resulted in a boardng-school
for Miss Maggie and plenty of wholesome
instruction, prosecuted under my especial
care and guidance, which was so successful
that in two years they gave me back my
Maggie a pretty tolerable scholar and a
most uncommonly pretty little woman.
When they gave her back to me what was
to do with her? had highly satisfactory
plan in view myself, but was doubtful as to
how she might receive it, To my everlas.-
ing Joy and gratitude she took it-afterA
little persuasion she distinctly favored it,
and so, without much more ado than Wen-
miek's lIalloa, here's a church let's have
a wedding" sweet Maggie and were mai-
ried. There were no such tiresome prelim.
naTies as consulting relations and informing
friends. All that came aiterward, when /
presented them to MadeInoiselle Marguerite
as Mrs. Monroe. After all, there is some
thing to be gained by having q reputation
for ecoentrieity; for, knowing my nature
and habits Of life, people OILY said it was
Just what might have been expected of DR..
Monroe, and without more ado called at his