Year: 1876

CONTINUED FROM YEsTERDAY.1


80 the days and weeks slipped by, and
the friendship, sudden as it was. lost none
OF its Interest, but rather grew in strength
and nearness. The visits of so sweet and
bright patient, were like oases in the
desert OF the doctors daily toll; and Flos-
sy, without acknowledging it to herself,
passed the happiest hour OF her day at his
office. They somehow suited each other,
exactly; and no matter what was the topic
touched upon in their many talks, whether
grave or gay, or lively or severe" there
was sure to be something which gave un-
conscious proof of their harmony of taste
and temperament; and neither felt so
happy, no natural, so entirely the best
self, as with the other.


DIR. Buchanan made some Intellectual
struggle against the growth of feeling
which, he knew could lead to nothing
further Flossy, in childlike unconscious
ness, made no struggle, but enjoyed the
present without thought of her future.


This trial of her eyes in addition to the
anxiety and suffering it had brought her.
had given her likewise a pleasant friend
and great many charming hours. She
accepted the other, and, almost without
it. found her chief delight in her visits to
his office. She was really startled and
annoyed with herself one morning, when
it rained so preposterously that she was
positively ashamed to go out, to find that
the storm had brought an actual disap-
pointment; that she could settle comfor-
tably to nothing; and was unable to rid
herself of a disagreeable sense of some
thing precious being lost from her day.


1t set the little lady thinking very seri-
ously, and, when she made her next visit,
the Doctors manner was not such as to
lull her back into unconsciousness.


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


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


Now Flossy was very innocent and
childlike, but there was something in the
doctors look and tone, despite the play
fulness of his words, which she felt in
stinctively 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 size could like it. far, far too
well, if she should allow herself, and her
resolve was taken on the instant. She
answered so quickly and naturally that
no one could have guessed what sudden
seige and repulse had been made within
the moment in the citadel OF her quiet
seeming breast, nor could the doctor im-
agne that she had suspected danger or in
tended defence.


Yes" said she lightly; sit was very
naughty in you, both to wish me to feel
disappointed and to be cross to your poor
patients. You deserve punishment. and
| shall administer it in the information
that this is my last visit to you. Fred was
compimenting me only last night upon
my eyes, said the violets were no longer
overweighted with dew, and all that sort
of thing. you know. And, indeed, find
no longer answer to Jeremiah's 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 l
had been unkindly chdden to my task.
For this blessed consummation, shall be
eternally your debtor. doctor, but it leaves
me nothing to do in the present, but to
bid you adieu, with the assurance OF my
most distinguished consideration.


She spoke gaily, and her lips smiled.
but her hand trembled as she held it out,
and her face dropped. like a 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
because fer 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 go, and
compel the sweet avov al that the parting
was as bitter to her. rut the mad thought
was stitled as soon as horn; he felt that
she had taken the only wise, the only
right course, and he compelled himself to
answer her in the same vein.


"Weel, it's an ill wind that blows
UttDOuJ Suucs hC SuioS III q utouu 0SOeSu
dialect, and with a mock-rueful counte-
nance. II shall be left lamenting, but
you will be freed from my cruelties.
Howeve in order that you may not en-
tirely TO. get me, shall bestow upon you
some parting souvenirs. Here is medicine
to be taken whenever chance cold may
bring return of the Inflammation here
is lotion to be applied occasionally. and
here is a--leech. l will 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 feel again that
congestion of the balls. You will give
me thought, perhaps, as you change his
water daily, and shall think of him feed
ing on your blue-veined temples, and"


Nonsense ~ broke in Flossy, putting
back from the doctors hand the vase
which contained several of the bloodthirsty
little reptiles; IF need any more such
severe remedies. shall come to you
again. But l have no fear that shall,
thanks to your skill and your great kind
moss and pafipncp -