Year: 1874

lull her DacK into uncOnSclOuSneSS.


The warmth of pleasure in his greeting
was unmistakable, and his words had
meaning in their jest.


81 generally like rainy day." he said;
'it gives me relief from the press of daily
work, and even sometimes permits me to
peep into book; but l must confess that
yesterday was unmitigatedly dreary. /
missed more than one kind Of sunshine,
and am afraid was abominably cross to
the few patients Who braved the storm.
Am very selfish in hoping the rain disap-
pointed you, too, just a little bit, on ac-
count OF your eyes, of course, you know ?"


Now Flossy was very innocent and child
like, but there was something in the doc
tors look and tone, despite the playful
lively there should not be, coming from
him to her; which she knew neither Fred
nor the pretty little lady in the next room
would like. At the same time she felt,
with burning rush of blood to her heart,
that she could like it, far, far too well, If
she should allow herself, and her re-
solve was taken on the instant.
She answered so quickly and naturally
that no one could have guessed what q
sudden siege and repulse had been made
within the moment in a citadel of her
qniet seeming breast, nor could the doctor
imagine that she had suspected danger or
intended defense.


"Yes," said she lightly; ''it was very
naughty in you, both to wish me to feel dis
appointed and to be cress to your poor pa
tients. You deserve punishment and shall
administer it in the information that this is
my last visit to you. Fred was compliment
ing me only last night upon my eyes; said
the violets were no longer overweighed by
dew, and all that sort of thing, you know.
jeremiah g woful description Of himself; my
head is no longer fountain Of tears, nor
mine eyes rivers of water; can actually
read. write, and work, once more without
weeping, as though had been unkindly
ehided to my task. For this blessed con-
summation, l shall be eternally your debt
or, doctor; but it leaves me nothing to do
in the present but to bid you adieu, with
the assurance of my most distinguished
considerations


She spoke gaily. and her lips smiled, but
her hand trembled as she held it out, and
her face dropped, like flower on its stalk
beneath the searching gaze Of the doctors
clear gray eyes. The news came upon
him like blow, none the less heavy be-
cause for some time expected. He read
now the answering pain she strove to hide
in her faltering tone and changing hue,
and he felt wild longing to clasp her to
his heart, Just for one moment, and tell her
how it hurt him to let her 60, and compel
the sweet avowal that the parting was as
bitter to her. But the mad thought was
stifled as soon as born he felt that she
had taken the only wise. the only right
course, and he compelled himself to ans.
wer her in the same vein.


"Weel, its an i'll wind that blows nea.
body gude," he said, in broad Scotch
dialect. and with a mOck-rueful counte-
nance. II shall be left lamenting, but
you will be freed from my cruelties.
However, in order that you may not en-.
tirely forget me, shall bestow upon you
some parting souvenirs. Here is medi.
cine to be taken whenever a chance cold
may bring a return of the Inflammation;
here lotion to be applied occasionally, and
here is-a leach. Twill screw him up SO
tightly in this box that you may carry HIM
in your pocket if you like. Keep him in
vase of pure water, and put him on, if at
any time you should again have conges-
ton of the balls. You will give me a
thought, perhaps, as you change his wa
ters daily, and shall think of him feed
ing on more blue-veined temples, and


Nonsense I" broke in Flossy, putting
back from the doctors hand the vase
which contained several bloodthirsty rep
tiles; 'if need any more such severe
remedies, l shall come to you again. But
l have no fear that shall, thanks to your
skill and your great kindness and patti
ence."


Her sweet voice was beginning to break
again, and she added, hastily:


"And now, doctOr-triend-I must real.
ly say good-by." She put out her hand.
and, the doctor seized and held it tight.
You viii believe" she began. again
steadying her voice, but just then the same
once before, opened again, and the same
sweet voice timidly requested ..just one
word with Alec"


The doctor looked impatient.
| "Please stay just stay one moment long.
er," he begged. darting out of the room
before she had time to refuse. He re-
turned almost Immediately, and Flossy said
in a reproachful tone:


lam afraid you have not half listened
to what your wife had to say, DR.. Buchan-
an, am sorry you hurried so. 1 would
much rather have waited till she had fin.
ished."


The doctor stared at his patient in blank
| amazement.


MY wife What do you mean ?" he
| asked


1t was Flossy's turn now to look sur
prised.


81 mean your wife, Of course, she said;
'the lovely little lady who occupies the
next room, and whom you have Just left"
The doctor stood for a moment, silent
and confounded, then broke into an irre-
pressible laugh.


$50 you thought l was married, did
you ?" he said in exceeding amusement.
| "I must tell Elsie that"


"And you are not, then p asked Flossy,
in an eager, faltering tone. but saw
you, DR.. Buchanan beg your pardon,
but you left the door open-I saw you
with your arm about that young lady. and
her lips raised to yours"


With much hesitation and many bushes
Flossy brought forward this terrible
charge, but the doctor only met it with
another uncomfortable laugh.