ll-natured gossip; but neither the caps nor the
wearers thereof seemed to make any impression on Doctor John. Mrs.
Riddell said that he was a born old bachelor; I suppose she based her
opinion on the fact that Doctor John was always a quiet, bookish
fellow, who didn't care a button for society, and had never been
guilty of a flirtation in his life. I knew Doctor John's heart far
better than Martha Riddell could know anybody's; and I knew there was
nothing of the old bachelor in his nature. He just had to wait for the
right woman, that was all, not being able to content himself with less
as some men can and do. If she never came Doctor John would never
marry; but he wouldn't be an old bachelor for all that.

He was thirty when Marcella came to Bridgeport--a tall,
broad-shouldered man with a mane of thick brown curls and level, dark
hazel eyes. He walked with a little stoop, his hands clasped behind
him; and he had the sweetest, deepest voice. Spoken music, if ever a
voice was. He was kind and brave and gentle, but a little distant and
reserved with most people. Everybody in Bridgeport liked him, but only
a very few ever passed the inner gates of his confidence or were
admitted to any share in his real life. I am proud to say I was one; I
think it is something for an old woman to boast of.

Doctor John was always fond of children, and they of him. It was
natural that he and little Marcella should take to each other. He had
the most to do with bringing her up, for Miss Sara consulted him in
everything. Marcella was not hard to manage for the most part; but she
had a will of her own, and when she did set it up in opposition to
the powers that were, nobody but the doctor could influence her at
all; she never resisted him or disobeyed his wishes.

Marcella was one of those girls who develop early. I suppose her
constant association with us elderly folks had something to do with
it, too. But, at fifteen, she was a woman, loving, beautiful, and
spirited.

And Doctor John loved her--loved the woman, not the child. I knew it
before he did--but not, as I think, before Marcella did, for those
young, straight-gazing eyes of hers were wonderfully quick to read
into other people's hearts. I watched them together and saw the love
growing between them, like a strong, fair, perfect flower, whose
fragrance was to endure for eternity. Miss Sara saw it, too, and was
half-pleased and half-worried; even Miss Sara thought the Doctor too
o