The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-05-10

/ Banonees iuaue us own pam seem the Keen
er--just for moment until his generous
heart could gather strength to reassert itself
and be glad because others were glad.
His landlady, who had been like mother
to him, came in presently with very srnil-
ing expression upon her broad face.
Many Of his grateful patients had remem-
bered him with some little Christmas tokens,
and Mrs. Derby had placed them upon the
stand at his bedside; but now she held in
her hand a small package addressed to him
in familiar lady's hand and registered in a
distant city.
Maud had returned the engagement ring.
DR.. Andover received the package in silence
and Mrs Derby looked at him with q crest.
fallen expression.
81 thought you would be SO pleased, doc
tor. I've come to know Miss Everleth's
handwriting you see, and supposed she
had sent you Christmas present The
package came two days ago when you were
delirious, and I signed the registry card, and
made bold to send the lady telegram mott
flying her of your dangerous illness. And
DR.. Andover, can you bear some pleasant
news? Ireceived telegram in return,
stating that Miss Everleth would start at
once to come to you. Now that is the sort
of girl to make man a good wife. She
will probably be here to-day"
To-day DIR. Andover listened to kind
Mrs. Derby in bewilderment. What did it
all mean2
With trembling fingers he tore off the
wrapper of the tiny package, and opened
jewelers. case.
There, upon its bed of purple, lay wide
gold fnger-ring extraordinarily wide
the inside of which was completely covered
with lettering. And Dr. Andover read
slowly through binding rapturous tears, the
words which the jewelers. instrument had
traced there-the grand old Scripture words
which had arisen in the heart of the girl,
who thus proved herself worthy of him,
when his letter had come to her after many
weary days of delay:
Entreat me not to leave thee or to re-
turn from following after thee for whittier
thou goest will 60 and where thou lodg-
est I win lodge; thy people shall be my
people, and thy God my God where thou
diest l will die, and there will be buried
the Lord do SO to me and more taught but
death part thee and me-"
Mrs. Derby slipped ont of the room, cry
ing herself at the sight of DR.. Andover, usu-
ally SO calm, and strong, and self-possessed,
sobbing like a two-year-old baby over Maud's
Christmas token.
1t was nearly noon when Maud herself
came. She had removed her wraps in Mrs.
Derby's room, and after light tap on the
sick mans door, she entered
Alex Andoyer had thought her lovely in
her exquisite party, and carriage. and home
toilets but never had she seemed so sweet,
and gracious and womanly as now, when
in her plain gray travelling costume, her love-
ly face little pale with weariness and ex-
element, her mouth tremulous and her dark
eyes glowing with a solemn light, she glided
in her swift noiseless way across the room
to his side.
"My darling My own sweet true
hearted darlingm cried the doctor, clasping
uoth oi tln upout hct hhu thuWiuB uei ihco
down to his own.
And presently after the first greetings
were over, Maud explained:
Your letter was delayed in some way.
| did not get 1t until week ago. You re-
member the great piece of gold which you
sent me from California two years ago2
Well, when got your letter took that gold
to jeweler and had 1t made into that ring.
And then after received Mrs. Derby's tele-
gram, made uncle promise to bring me to
you at once. would have come alone if he
had not come with me, horrible and uncon-
ventional as my fashionable friends would
have called me. Why Alex! what silly
butterfly you must have thought mel Do
you think am good for nothing but to
dance the German and play the piano2
assure you, sir,"-and here she doubled one
small white fist in very threatening fash
ion under his very nose" this hand which
you consider SO weak and useless, can make
most delicious bread and pies, and cakes;
can even make beds, and sweep, and wash
dishes Aunt Alice never neglected that
most important para of my education, and l
am sure shall make a most excellent wife
for poor man. That 10 Alex, "-and here
she flushed up goriously-"if you win have
me-"
DIR. Andover smothered her last words
against his shoulder, and as soon as she
could free herself from his tnceremonious
embrace, she began anew to coax and whee-
die him into consenting to some plan of her
own; to which at first he objected, but
finally yielded and the result was that at
five O'Clock that afternoon, Maud Everleth
was made DIR. Andover's wife; and at once
asserted her authority by taking upon her.
self the duties of a nurse.
OF course under such treatment he recov-
cred rapidly; and every day grew to appre-
ciate more and more the loyalty and worth
of the sweet little woman who had not fail
ed him in his dark hour. --Anndbel Dwight