The Girl at Cobhurst | Page 4

Dr. Tolbridge, "for it is not likely that there is any one
else to whom you have made the fact known."
There was a quick flush on the face of Miss Dora, and a flash in her
blue eyes, and she reached out her hand toward her muff which lay on
the table beside her, but she changed her purpose and drew back her
hand. The doctor looked at her with a smile.
"You were just on the point of jumping up and leaving the room
without a word, weren't you?"
"Yes, I was," said she, "and I have a great mind to do it now, but first I
must--"
"Miss Dora," said the doctor, "I am delighted. Actually you are cutting
your new mind. Before you can realize the fact, you will have it all
full-formed and ready for use. Let me see; this is the ninth of March;
bad roads; bad weather; no walking; no driving; nothing inspiriting;
disagreeable in doors and out. I think the full change will occur within
three weeks. By the end of this month, you will not only have forgotten
that your milk mind has troubled you, but that the world was ever blank,
and that your joys and affections were ever on the point of passing
away from you. You will then be the brave-hearted, bright-spirited
woman that Nature intended you to be, after she had passed you

through some of the preliminary stages."
The flush on the face of Miss Dora gradually passed away as she
listened to this speech.
She rose. "Doctor," said she, "I like that better than what you have been
saying. Anyway, I shall not be angry, and I shall wait three weeks and
see what happens, and if everything is all wrong then, the responsibility
will rest on you."
"Very good," said he, "I agree to the terms. It is a bargain."
Now Miss Dora seemed troubled again. She took up her muff, put it
down, drew her furs about her, then let them fall again, and finally
turned toward the physician, who had also risen.
"Doctor," she said, "I don't want you to put this visit in the family bill. I
wish to--to attend to it myself. How much should I pay you?" and she
took out her little pocketbook.
Dr. Tolbridge put his hands behind him.
"This case is out of my usual line of practice," he said, "and my
ordinary schedule of fees does not apply to it. For advice such as I have
given you I never charge money. I take nothing but cats."
"What!" exclaimed Miss Dora; "what on earth do you mean?"
"I mean cats," he replied, "or rather kittens. I am very fond of kittens,
and at present we have not one in the house. So, if you have a kitten--"
"Dr. Tolbridge," cried Miss Dora, her eyes sparkling, "do you really
mean that? Would you truly like to have an Angora kitten?"
"That is exactly the breed I want," he answered.
"Why, I have five," she said; "they are only four days old, and perfect
beauties. I shall be charmed to give you one, and I will pick out the
very prettiest for you. As soon as it is old enough, I will bring it to you,

already named, and with a ribbon on its neck. What color would you
like the ribbon to be?"
"For Angoras, blue," he said; "I shall be so glad to have a kitten like
that; but remember that you must not bring it to me until its eyes are
opened, and it has--"
"Doctor," interrupted Miss Dora, raising her forefinger, "you were just
on the point of saying, 'and has shed its milk mind.' Now I am going
away before you make me angry again."
When his patient had gone, Dr. Tolbridge put another log on the fire,
shook up the cushions of the sofa, and lay down to continue his nap.

CHAPTER II
MISS PANNEY
The Witton family, distant relatives of Miss Panney, with whom she
had lived for many years, resided on a farm in the hilly country above
Thorbury, and when Mrs. Tolbridge had rattled through the town, she
found the country road very rough and bad--hard and bumpy in some
places, and soft and muddy in others; but Buckskin was in fine spirits
and pulled her bravely on.
When she reached the Witton house she left the horse in charge of the
boy, and opening the hall door, went directly up to Miss Panney's room.
Knocking, she waited some little time for an answer, and then was told,
in a clear, high voice, to come in. The room was large and well lighted.
Against one of the walls stood a high-posted bed with a canopy, and on
one of