The Van Buren press., 1874-06-30

hand by US. While be was worrying over
the letter, Mary was carrying happaassss
into a score Of homes, and spreading Der.
own sunshine among hearts that had lit
tie else than clouds. 8 III
Among her people was window who
had but one child, a boy old enough 70
earn few pennies selling papers. She
stopped at the door, and was met BY the
mother in tears. Her boy had been run
over by the street cars, and his life was
in great danger. Had they q dostor5
/" Oh, yes, ma am the lame doctor. "
Mary had frequently, Of late, heard OF
the lame doctor, but bad never seen him.
when was he here ?" she asked.
"Iie is here now, ma'am. ;"
At first she thought she would not 60
in until the doctor had gone, but she
wanted to ask him what could be done;
so she followed the woman into the
room
20 ndctorr' cried the mother. 81 here
Is our best friend"
Mary turned to the man standing BY
the bedside, and found the lame doctor
to be Fred Seward.
lilo reached cut his hand and greeted
her with his pleasantest smile, saving:
I'VE need no introduction, Miss Eli
son.
"She gave him her hand, but could
hardly speak with surprise:
"And are you the lame dector2' she
asked, after the FIRST greeting.
II am" he answered, at the same
time pointing to his crutch lying beside
him. iit W 50.
1--WE never heard Of it." she said.
+" How did 1t happen ?"
Building fell at the fire, and rolled
heavy stone on my foot. "
"Yes, miss" broke In the window;
{" but he doesn't tell how it was"
"Oh, never mind that, said he, I'm
patiently; "it will have no interest for
Miss Ellison.
"You cannot mean that, she said.
lie was trying to save my sisters
baby" continued the window. and help
the poor folks, when the stone fell on
him. "
"And you live here :" she asked.
Z" In the city; yes. :"
"My uncle has also removed here.
81 heard Of it., he replied.
What have We dene that you should
not call on usr she asked. smiling.
II 20 nowhere on crutches :"
"Why not? Because can hardly
compare favorably with other young
men.
But you will come and see us'"
/ cannot.
Perhaps | ought to have included an
invitation for Mrs. Seward II there 10
such a lady. We will be glad to see her at
uncle's.'
Mrs. Seward would be obliged to you,
il there vac such lady, but am com.
PEELED to cay I know OF none.
Then you will come 2
Not while on cruthes.
"Have you hopes Of not needing
themi
mo.
What have we done that you should
refuse to be friendly with usT
Miss Ellison, you compel me to say
what would rather have left unsaid IL
could have had all my limbs. would
have called at your house before this,and
told you that loved you better than
when asked you to marry me three
years ago; but avn on srutches, and
could ask no woman to marry me now.
must not call at your house. ;
There we're tears in her eyes, but they
were tears Of Joy.
'Supposing. she said, her voice sob.
bing, supposiug the woman should say
that she had loved you all these years?
that she loves you now with your crutch.
es all the better because Of your crutsh'
es that she isn't half good enough for
you
But these crutchcs 2 he asked.
Sac kisses the crutches because you
got them 90 nobly. was the answer.
An hour after, while DR.. Burgess was
puzzling lover the letter. he was aroused
by knock at his door, which knock was
followed by his niece.
Can we come in, Uncler
And the next instant Fred Seward en-.
tered with Mary, and the old gentleman
was informed Of the events OF the morn.
ing But he could only mutter, God
bless me. how things do happen! Mary's
experiment was success, after all -
Hearth and Home.