dollars in advance.

"Well," said Uncle Ike, "I certainly sha'n't object, if the doctor can
do her any good. But I should like to know something about the course of
treatment, the nature of it, I mean, before she gives up her present
doctor."

"That's just what I mean," said Quincy. "I want you to be so kind as to
take this whole matter off my hands, just as though I had made the
arrangement at your suggestion. I am going down for the doctor next
Thursday noon. Won't you ride down with me and meet Dr. Tillotson? You
can talk to him on the way home, and then you can manage the whole
matter yourself, and do as you think best about changing doctors."

"You have been very kind to my niece, Mr. Sawyer, since you have been
here," said Uncle Ike, "and very helpful to her. I attribute your
interest in her case to your kindness of heart and a generosity which is
seldom found in the sons of millionaires. But take my advice, Mr.
Sawyer, and let your feelings stop there."

"I do not quite understand you," replied Quincy, though from a sudden
sinking of his heart he felt that he did.

"Then I will speak plainer," said Uncle Ike. "Don't fall in love with my
niece, Mr. Sawyer. She is a good girl, a sweet girl, and some might call
her a beautiful one, but she has her limitations. She is not fitted to
sit in a Beacon Street parlor; and your parents and sisters would not be
pleased to have you place her there. Excuse an old man, Mr. Sawyer, but
you know wisdom cometh with age, although its full value is not usually
appreciated by the young."

Quincy, for the first time in his life, was entirely at a loss for a
reply. He burned to declare his love then and there; but how could he do
so in the face of such a plain statement of facts? He did the best thing
possible under the circumstances; he quietly ignored Uncle Ike's advice,
and thanking him for his kindness in consenting to meet the new doctor
he bade him good afternoon and went to his room.

After Quincy had gone Uncle Ike rubbed his hands together gleefully and
shook with laughter.

"The sly rogue!" he said to himself. "Wanted Uncle Ike to help him out."
Then he laughed again. "If he don't love her he will take my advice, but
if he does, what I told him will drive him on like spurs in the side of
a horse. He is a good fellow, a great deal better than his father and
the rest of his family, for he isn't stuck up. I like him, but my Alice
is good enough for him even if he were a