The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1883-05-31

i"'e vi pooi puySIciuu Wuo uepeuu'
ed upon his fees for living.
SO DR.. Andover had written bei
a brave farewell letter just amontt
before the time arranged for tbeil
wedding, informing her OF his alter.
ed fortunes, and releasing her from
her engagement to him and he
had received no answer, although i,
was now Christmas week.
( The doctor was worn out with ex.
posure to rough weather and many
sleepless nights.
The demands upon his time and
strength hnd been greater than us.
ual, yet he had replied TO them all
never failing in kindly courtesy be
side the couch of Betty Garry an,
moro than in the luxurious chamber o.
Ma lame Goldschmidt, who fed hin
30 generously.
II was Christmas week and Maudt
was to have been his own next Fri
day evening.
This thought tortured him un
ceasiugly, together with some words
in letter which had reached him &
few days before--a letter from at
a s'qualntanco who was visiting in the
city where Msude lived,
Il met your fancee at a party last
eyei ing" he had written.
IL admire your choice.
"She was the brightest; lovelies,
girl there"
DR.. Andover experienced cruel
sense of DISSOLUTION as he turned that
sentence over in his mind.
Maud had not loved him after all
She could be gay aud bright when
they were forever separated.
The study fire smouldered to
ashes, and still he sat there, weary
and sad, until from sheer exhaustion
he fell into au uneasy slumber.
About midnight he awoke, alter
nately burning and shiverng, Will,
"A dull pain throbbed in his temples
He was his own patient now, SC
he swallowed powder and FASTENED
t. led 4; aud when his landlad,
came in the morning to call him, she
found him unable to iise from his
pillow. feverish aud half delirious.
Christmas m rIing came, bright
and frosty-a day after good st
Nicholas own heart. and the doctor
a trihe better, although weak and
languid, opened his eyes to close
them again Immediately, with lit
tie pang.
This was to have been his we'd
ding day
He could hear tho merry saluta.
iions in the street, the clash Of bells
and the pealing organ from st
Paurs Church over the way, and the
sunlight, and mirth, and gladness
made bis own pain seem the keener
- Just for a moment until his gem
erous heart could gather strength
and reassert itself and be glad be.
cause others we're glad.
His landlady, who had been like q
fond mother 10 him, came in pres
emily with a very smiling express
sion upon her broad face.
Many of his grateful patients
had remembered him with some lit
tie Christmas tokens.
Mrs. Derby bad placed them up
on the table at his bedside ; but
now she held in her arms q sma i
package addressed to him in Ia
dy's familiar hand, and registered in
a distant city.
Maude had returned tho engage
ment ring.
DR.. Andover received the pack
age in silence, nnd Mrs. Derby look
ed at him with crestfallen express
sion.
81 thought you would be so pleas
ed, doctor.
"Tve come to know Miss Ever
leth's handwriting you sec, sup.
posed she had sent you Christmas
present.
'.The package came two days ago
when you were delirious, and | made
bold to send the lady q telegram
telling her Of your illness.
"And, Doctor Andover, can you
bear some pleasant news'
II received telegram in return,
stating that Miss Everleth would
start at once to come to you.
Now that ID the sort of a girl to
make q man q good wife.
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