Bad Hugh

The doctor never dreamed of an introduction, for his practiced eye saw

at once that however Alice might auntie her, the woman was still a

servant. How then was he surprised when Alice said: "Miss Densmore, this is Dr. Richards, from Terrace Hill," adding, in an

aside to him: "My old nurse, who took care of both mother and myself

when we were children."

They were standing in the door now, and the covered sleigh was drawn up

just in front.

"Auntie first," she said, as they reached the carriage steps, and so the

doctor was fain to help auntie in, whispering gallantly in an aside: "Age before beauty always!"

"Thank you," and Alice's ringing laugh cut the winter air as she

followed Densie Densmore, the doctor carefully wrapping her cloak about

her, and asking if her fur was pulled up sufficiently around her neck.

"It's very cold," he said, glancing up at the glittering stars, scarcely

brighter than the blue eyes flashing on him. "At least I found it so on

my walk to church," and with a slight shiver the scheming doctor was

bowing himself away, when Alice exclaimed: "Did you walk this wintry night? Pray, gratify me then by accepting a

seat in our sleigh. There's plenty of room without crowding auntie."

Happy Dr. Richards! How he exerted himself to be agreeable, talking

about the singing, asking if she often honored the people as she had

to-night.

"I take Miss Fisher's place when she is absent," Alice replied,

whereupon, the doctor said he must have her up at Terrace Hill some day,

to try Anna's long-neglected instrument. "It was once a most superb

affair, but I believe it is sadly out of tune. Anna is very fond of you,

Miss Johnson, and your visits would benefit her greatly. I assure you

there's a duty of charity to be discharged at Terrace Hill as well as

elsewhere. Anna suffers from too close confinement indoors, but, with a

little skill, I think we can manage to get her out once more. Shall we

try?"

Selfish Dr. Richards! It was all the same to him whether Anna went out

once a day or once a year, but Alice did not suspect him and she

answered frankly that she should have visited Terrace Hill more

frequently, had she supposed his mothers and sisters cared particularly

for society, but she had always fancied they preferred being alone.