Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-04-06

hope till actual want came in the shape
of unappeased hunger Then one by one
he pawned his fine surgical instruments
getting but small fraction of their ac-
tual value. Articles of clothing follow
ed until he found himself utterly unpro-
vided to meet the cold weather that was
coming on.
Finally, convinced that he must aban-
don his profession, he studied the want
columns of the newspapers, and spent
two entire days in trying in vain to get
employment. The last of these two days
he ate nothing, and previous short allow
ance had enfeebled him. When night
came he staggered wearily to his office
to find that after repeated warnings, the
landlord had taken possession and had |
locked the door.
With his brain whirling and his limbs
tottcring with weakness, DR.. Cotton wan
dered he scarcely knew where. Hunger
and fatigue were doing their work. He
walked several blocks when his eyes fell
upon carriage standing at the curb. A
coachman in livery sat upon the box,
and the door stood open. Just then
lady came out of an adjacent house and
walked toward the vehicle. The famish-
ed man saw that she carried pocket
book in her hand. The demon of hum
ger suggested robbery as his eyes flash
ed upon the well-flled treasure. He
darted forward SO quickly as to attract
her attention. and for an instant she
looked fixedly in his face. A strange
expression then passed over her beauti-
full features, but it seemed scarcely that
of fear. She hesitated moment, and
then laid the tips of her fingers upon
his arm.
"Pve been waiting for you, she said
''Get into the carriage, please.
Wondering at the meaning of her
words, and scarcely knowing or caring
what he did, DIR. Cotton did as she re-
quested.
''Drive home, said the lady to the
driver, and away they were driven up a
fashionable avenue.
.She has mistaken me for somebody
else," he thought, Il must undeceive
her.
Then he said aloud:
''1ou have doubtless made some mis-
take-at least, I have forgotten you, if
[ have ever had the honor of an &c
quaintance,
''No, sir, was the reply, in a musical
voice 81 have made no mistake, but
the explanation is too long to be made
here. Will you wait until reach my
home ?''
DIR. Cotton assented, wondering if the
whole adventure was not a creation of
his fevered brain.
They arrived, after short drive, at
brown stone mansion of considerable size
and beauty. The carriage stopped, and
the lady led the way up the stairs and
into the hall. Here the weakened
strength of the doctor gave way, and he
sank into a chair half fainting.
'sWhy, what is the matter p asked
the lady in great CONSERVATION. "Are
you i'll ?'' 7+a
''Only starving p was the bitter con-
fession. | have eaten nothing for two
days"
The lady hastily summoned the SER
wants and had him assisted to an easy
chair. Then tempting viands and gen
erous wine were placed before him, Of
which he partook with good effect, feel
ing stronger and better Immediately af-
ter the meal. -
! The lady absented herself during his
repast, but now she returned. divested
: of her street dress, and wearing a rich
robe. For the first time Dr. Cotton stud
) led her face, he thought. the most per-
feet in its loveliness that he had ever
seen. She seated herself near him, and
f the look that her wondrous black eyes
: gave him was kindly, almost loving.
/ "Are you prepared for an explanation
) of my rather strange conduct % she said
| Mr.. Cotton bowed.
'.Do you remember me %
He looked at her face again, but did
not recall it.
, DO you remember she continued
| ''in Baxter street years age, of talking
with a dirty, ragged little girl-of tell
: ing her that she was too pretty to liv,
there, and of sending her to the Girl
: Refuge ?" - =
Les, aiteF thinking moment ne re
: membered the circumstance
: Il am the same girl and she smiled
: merrily at Colton's look of amazement.-
: Il went to the Refuge, as you told M
$ to do. and was kindly received prove,
e an apt scholar, at least they told me SO
:. and at the age of seventeen was able t
get a situation as a teacher in one of th
: public schools. / had been thus employ
o ed but few months, when a. wealth
retired merchant, named Arthur Ralston
$ formed my acquaintance and asked m
Is to marry him | had no friend and hi