Stories - 'The Doctor's May-Basket'

 



For the Advertiser.                                  1891

THE DOCTOR’S MAY-BASKET

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BY JOE CONE

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There remained but one more day of showery April, when smiling May would enter and push her way to the front.

In one of the numerous, pleasant new England villages a group of young and rosy cheeked school girls were holding a sort of half-whispered consultation as to who the first May-basket victim should be.

It was finally decided that Carlos Willey, who was a favorite with almost all of the small girls in the village, should receive the first honor.

“You know,” said Mabel Whitney, who was remarkable for her grown up ideas, “that Carl’s big brother is a doctor, and he is rich, too, and perhaps we shall get something in return; that is, if he should catch us and find out who we are.”

“Then, in that case,” said Flora Moulton, a little tartly, “we will take good care that no one catches us.

Then they separated, each wondering how she could pass away the time which would drag so slowly, as it always seems to, upon such occasions.

Finally the hour came round, and, according to agreement, they met at the home of Flora Moulton to put a few finishing touches upon the little treasure; then they were to steal softly along the roadside to the house where Carl lived. Every now and then some of the children would go quietly to the door and peep out; the night had grown quite dark, and by the time everything was in readiness they seemed to be a trifle nervous about venturing out.

“Oh, I know what we’ll do,” said little Flora; “let’s ask Lena to go; she isn’t afraid of anything.” So Lena, who was Flora’s grown up sister, was called upon to act as escort. Now the children had a vague remembrance that Lena Moulton was, at one time, a sweetheart of Dr. Willey’s; but owing to the excitement which they were under, it was all forgotten, and they thought it very strange that she should turn so white and refuse to go.

They gathered around her and plead earnestly, but it was all in vain, until her big brother, Will, who had just returned from town, stepped in and overheard what the disappointed children were saying.

“Oh, you need not be afraid, sis,” said he, “for I met the doctor in M –, just as I was starting for the train; and,” with a curious twinkle in his large blue eyes, “I left him there.”

It was true that Lena Moulton had been the intended wife of Dr. Willey, but for some reason, known only to themselves, the engagement had been broken off. Will, who had since childhood been a particular friend of the doctor’s, believed it was nothing but pride, assisted by a little stubbornness on the part of both, that caused them to so utterly ignore each other.

But the feeling between Lena and the doctor had not at all lessened the friendship the friendship of the young men; and Will had for a long time been watching for an opportunity to bring about a reconciliation. He was wise enough to see that it would require an extra ordinary circumstance in which both were concerned, to accomplish it. When he entered the house that night and learned what it was the children desired of Lena, he saw wherein he could make a good attempt if nothing more. He told no falsehood when he said that he had met the doctor in M – and that he had left him there; but he failed to mention that they had met later on and returned on the same train.

So Lena, feeling satisfied that he was not at home, consented to accompany the children and began to make preparation to start.

“What a lovely basket,” said Will; “let me look at it more closely,” and he gave the little girls a winning smile which captivated them instantly.

He took it and looked it over and over, then, unnoticed by any of them, picked out the card which bore Carl Willey’s name, and dropped one which read as follows: “For Dr. and Carlos Willey.” “A very pretty basket, little girls; I would like one myself if it would only be as pretty as this one is.”

Then he returned it and the unsuspecting little party set out. They walked quickly but silently down the road, and big hearted and supperless Will skulked behind them. When they reached the house Mabel Whitney and Flora stole noiselessly up the path, and, placing the handle over the doorknob, they lifted the large brass knocker and let it fall. Like two little fairies they flitted out and joined the others, but before they had fairly started to run the door swung open and rays of a light flashed out across the lawn and they saw doctor Willey standing in the doorway. He removed the basket, and, seeing his own name along with Carl’s upon the card, he laid it down and shouted for Carl to come. Then without hat and with slippered feet he ran down the path and leaped the fence. Poor Lena’s strength nearly deserted her, but having a fairly good start she hoped to reach a safe hiding before he could in the least discover who she was.

The children in their excitement forgot all about her, and scattered here, there and anywhere to get out of sight, so that in a short time she was alone in her flight – and the doctor was gaining on her at every step.

“Oh, heavens! what if he catches me,” said she, at the same time trying to increase her speed. But she was already beginning to feel exhausted and nearly sank to the ground as she felt a strong hand placed upon her shoulder. Knowing that it would be useless to attempt concealment any longer, she turned and faced him.

“I think, sir, this is very unfair of you; the basket was intended for your brother Carlos.”

The doctor drew back; he was too much astonished to speak for a moment; then stepping a little nearer he said:

“I beg your pardon, Lena, but my name was on the card, so how could I have done otherwise? but,” he continued,” if I had known it were you –“ here he paused and they looked at each other, both grateful to the darkness, which in a measure shielded their pale faces. “No,” continued Dr. Willey, drawing still nearer; “no, if I had known it were you I – I would have run a great deal faster.”

This caused her to drop her eyes for an instant, but she managed to say:

“This is entirely the children’s affair, Dr. Willey. I came here merely to – “

“To get caught, I suppose,” interrupted he, laughing.

She was about to say something more, but he drew her still closer and all her pretended anger, confusion and blushes were concealed from the moon, which just at that moment peeped out at them, by the doctor’s sweeping blonde mustache.

A hearty laugh from behind a clump of bushes startled them, but when they found it was Will they saw how it all came about. The doctor tried to get him to join them, but he declined, saying:

“No, thank you; I must hurry home or my supper will be getting cold,” and, after having another hearty laugh, he stole away in the moonlight.

East Cambridge, Mass.

 

 

 


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