natural self. It was a charm to the ear to hear her in
conversation. Her voice was so musical, and her intonation so
pleasant. I remember how attractive to me it was to listen to her as
she would say "I shall let you, etc." pronouncing the "t" and the "y"
without effort and yet each distinctly. How much prettier than the
"let chou" which so commonly assails the ear! Ah! You are saying that
you do not so merge words; but be honest, and observe when next you
essay such a phrase.

It was by the merest chance that the Judge and Agnes called on the
very day of Leon's arrival. They were _en route_ for the race-track,
and passing near the Doctor's home, the Judge turned his horses in the
direction of his friend's house to inquire when he was expected to
return. He was delighted to meet him.

Greetings having been exchanged they began a general conversation.

"What have you been doing up in the country, Doctor?" asked the Judge.
"Fishing, I suppose?"

"You might say," answered Dr. Medjora, "that I have been a fisher of
men. I brought one back with me, you see." He indicated Leon by a wave
of his hand. The Judge glanced at the youth, and awaited a further
explanation.

"Leon and I are old friends," continued the Doctor. "I met him first
when he needed my services to help him with a broken leg. But I have
accepted his assistance many times since, when, without him, I might
never have found my way back to civilization from the jungles into
which I had strayed. For the future I need him so much that I have
brought him home with me, to remain permanently."

"Indeed!" said the Judge, much interested, for if Leon were to be
always with his friend, it was of more than passing moment to himself.
"In what way do you need him?"

"Judge, as you know, my good wife here has not given me the son that I
have longed for." Madame scowled, enraged by the speech which however
had not been meant to wound her. The Doctor had not thought of her at
all, but merely mentioned what was a fact. "Therefore I have no heir.
I do not mean in connection with my worldly goods. I speak of my
profession. I wish a student to whom I may impart my methods, so that
after my day has passed my people may still have some one to depend
upon. You see, I look upon my practice, much as a shepherd would
consider his sheep. I am responsible for them. They depend upon me to
keep them out of danger. I consider it a duty to supply a successor to
myself."

"And this yo