Dr. Breen's Practice

worse for her adventure: she had a little fever, and she was slightly hoarser; but she had died none of the deaths that she projected during the watches of the night, and for which she had

es of life she appeared to feel that she had carried her forgiveness far enough, and was again remembering her inju

o out with Mr. Libby, and that I went purely to please you. You forced me to go. I can't

t her throat, in apparent unconsciousness of all that was said. But she had really followed it, with glimpses of intelligence

shook her violently. Then, casting the culprit from her at random, she flung herself down again in a fit of coughing

cried Mrs. Maynard. "She has George Maynard's t

child, and half addressing it. "I suppose Be

were not for your treatment. Oh, Grace!" She began to cough again; the paroxysm increased in vehemence. She caught her handkerchief from her lips

" Grace me

led with any longer.

ician. But if it will console you, I can tell you that the blood on your handkerchief means nothing worth speaking of. Whom shall

think it was time to have a consultation, should n't you? Of course, I'm not alarmed, but I know it's getting serious, and I'm afraid that your medicine is n't active enough. That's it; it's perfectly good medicine, but it is n't active. They've all been saying that I

ul face in Grace's dress, she said, "I don't know of any homoeopathic physician in this neighborhood. I don't believe there's one nearer than Boston, a

consult with him

ot. It would

" mused Mrs. Maynard, sinking on the lounge again. "There must b

Corbitant," said Grace passively. "A

s. Maynard, with immense r

anybody. And I certainly wouldn't consult with a physi

ial interest in Grace's position, and fell into an argumentative tone. "If two heads are better than one,

an call Dr. Mulbridge, if you wish. That will be the rig

" There was a sound of voices at the door outside, and she called cheerily, "Come in, Mr. Libby,-come in! There's nobody but Grace here," she added, as the young man tentatively opened the door, and looked in. He wore an evening dress, even to the white cravat, and he carried in his hand a crush hat: there was something anomalous in his appearance, beyond the phenomenal character of his costume, and he blushed consciously as he bowed to Grace, and then at her motion shook hands with her. Mrs. Maynard did not give herself the fatigue of rising; she stretched her hand to him from the lounge, a

down for a hop at the Long Beach House, and sent over for them. I had nothing but my camping flannels,

rd. "I never thought of you! How in

wal

l that

f wet and wet. I was going off bareheaded, I lost my hat in the water, you know,-but your man, here, hailed

without making an offer to keep him and have him provided for in the house. She remembered now her bewildered impression that he was without a hat when he climbed the stairs and helped her to the house; she recalled the fact that she had thrust him on to the danger he had escaped, and her heart w

shed,-"and a person was very sick, and wanted you to consult with another doctor, whether you would let the mere fact that you had n't been introduced have any weight with you?" The young man silently appealed to

ther formidable. I've never

Mrs. Maynard. "But you are n

fellow knew

u thought

to get at, Mrs. Maynard? I'm not going

it's a doctor's place to get h

of c

me case. And ninety-nine out of a hundr

nd-I don't presume to meddle in anything-You're not fair, Mrs. Maynard!

w!" exclaimed Mrs. Maynard

htily. She bade him good-morning; but he followed he

setting myself up as a judge of your affairs. I know you're right, whatever you think; and I take it all back; it was got out of me by fraud, any way. And I beg your pardo

uch unfailing disaster, that she must have been superhuman not to laugh. Her laughing seemed to relieve him even more than he

then. And you'll, forgive my siding

again, please. I've n

er head round a little at the sound of Libby's voice, and gave him a look. He passed without noticing the horse. "I'm glad to fi

ce, "it's a mir

did n't know how things might turn out, and you're so far from a

nd glanced at the equip

fellow, with a smile

site creature!

k, and the breeze blew balm from the heart of the pine forest. "Miss Breen," he broke out, "I wish you'd take a little dash through the woods with me. I've got a broad-trac

erself in that way now. There was something in the frank, eager boyishness of the invitation that fascinated her, and the sunny face turned so hopefully upon her had its

iss Breen," plea

of itself. "Oh, thank you,

the word which riveted h

ant to think about Mrs. Maynard. I-ought n't t

d gayety, but a note of disappointment made its

has lost confidence in me-It's important she should trust her physician." Libby blushed, as he always did when required to recognize Grace

gentle sympathy; and she felt, somehow, that he delic

nsultation with some doctor about he

now a great deal better what she wants than she

nd she could not think of anything else that would strengthen it. The young man might think that she had asked advice of him. She began to resent his telling her to make Mrs. Maynard

t her carry her point," he added, with a light esteem for Mrs. Maynard whic

She did not add anything more, and she meant that the young fellow should perceive that his, audi

and wakeful, and between her dreamy dozes she was incessant in her hints for a consultation to Grace, who passed the night in her room, and watched every change for the worse with a self-accusing heart. The impending trouble was in that indeterminate phase which must give the physician his most anxious moments;