The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-09-21
THE DOCTORS STORY
OR
A Bride From the Grave.
coNcIUDED.

DY the maneuvres of mamma, who
ID is great matchmaker, in the very
year of my debut In London she con-
trived, l scarcely know how, to have
me engaged to a man for whom l cared
nothing then, and O, how much less
now A young girl of eighteen, his
presence dazsled, his attentions flattered
me, and that was the whole matter. /
tolerated him. | have done all can to
delay the marriage for many months by
feigning illness; but papa and mamma
say that to make regular break off will
prove such an esclandre in society. Yet
is my life, all my future, to be sacrificed
for the myth we call societyg 1 foresee
too clearly what my fate will be, to pass
through existence unloving and unlov-
ed /; but ii is Heavens will, or rather
mammals pleasure" loan a.eI
80, that 1 were rich, Gertrude, or
that men could not stigmatize me as an
adventurer and fortune.hunter, as they
will if IL"
" Did what ?"
IOpuSSu LuS
Fear nothing, Fred, but speak. I
need advice.n
The sound of my name on her lips.
the Intense sweetness of her eyes and
sorrow of her air, rendered me blind to
all but her beauty, her love, and the
passion that was in my own heart, and
Cblivious of those who might be passing
near-and afterwards we had soon cruel
reason to believe that we were not only
seen but watched, as it was quite un-
usual for her to be out a-foot and alone
I told her that if she would rely upon
my affection and honor, on the love
with which she had already inspired
nae, it would be the duty of my life to
render hers happy that would save
her from the delusive snare called $50
ciety," and the thraldom of her proud
old father and calculating mother. Of
course didn't call them so to her. L
spoke with boldness, decision and facil-
ity, for love and passion lent me power.
looked into her eyes, and saw an
answering light; but she answered, pale
and trembling: RaaA
" You are poor, you say, Fred. Now
papa is rich, and ambitious of being
richer Alas, you must he satisfied
with"
sWhat? Your friendshipg o Ger
trude, can you speak so coldly and to
me ?'' .aa
Her tears fell fast. el
" You overrate my powers of endur-
ance. To be your friend, and even that
only in secret-to see you, after your
avowal to me, the wife of another, per-
haps, rendering all my existence here
after blank.D Tg E ilsH
81 do not mean that, Fred. Alas, L
know not what do mean, J" she added,
weeping so bitterly that my heart was
panied. eI te Iu.
'' Mean--say that you will be mine,
and not the wife of this mysterious
other.'' ra Hg4 ~
"To-morrow shall be here again
tomorrow shall end all" 81
She held up her sweet face; no one
seemed near. With the speed of thought
pressed my lips to hers-for the first
and last time on this side of the grove,
as it proved-and we separated in a
tumult of joy.
Next day ] kept my appointment
without fail, but not without difficulty,
as had long and troublesome opera
ton to perform in totally different
direction, near Darlington Street. /
waited till could linger no longer, and
quilted the park slowly, filled by doubts
and dread, and by the. hope that visitors
something voidable-anything but
illness, caprice, or change of mind-had
prevented my bright Gertrude from
meeting me.
The morning of the second day brought
me note from her, dated from St
Georges Place. 9i
A motel -'-
We had met again and again by ar
rangement, but never had got nott
from her, and read and Kissed it &
score of times, and committed many
other absurdities while studying the baC
writing, which somehow seemed totally
unlike that of lady; but then poo
Gertrude had never ventured to write t,
me before.
1t contained but three lines, sayini
that she was unable to meet me as usual
for reasons should learn If would cal
and see her after luncheon time, as pap
and mamma had left town, and sh
should be quite alone.