The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-10-16
THE MODERN RUTH.

self into the big leather-covercd chair
b. fore his office fire with weary sign.
He was tine-looking man of thirty;
not handsome. but noble and manly
looking-one TO be trusted forever, with
his broad, white brow and grave, clear
gray eyes. His lips. too. under the
full brown beard were as fine as wo-
mans, without lacking in strength and
6rmness.
DIR. Andover's patients-especially
the poorer class and the children
turned to him instinclively for advice
grand, kingly natures which seem
made for leaders and comforters. Poor
old Betty Cary. bedridden paralyIic.
could not speak of him without she'd
ding tears Of gratitude. Little Jane
Ellis, suffering with AN incurable hip
disease. looked upon him as u sort Of
more who thought of him not only as
their physician. but as kind and gen
erous friend. who delighted to brighten
the lives which would otherwise be poor
and barren enough.
But fate had lately frOwned upon
him. In. the first place. the bank in
which the greater part of his snug lit
tie fortune was deposited had failed.
and directly upon this came the news
that some mining stock in which he
had invested was worthless. or nearly
SO. The doctor did not fear poverty
practice brought him y
income, for the rich ap-
preciated him as we'll as the poor-but
miles away in q distant city there was
q lovely girl whom he had hoped to
call wife by Christmas time. A girl
who. lhongh not wealthy herself. had
been extravagantly educated by her
uncle. in whose luxurious home she
lived. He knew that not the slightest
privation had ever come to her; she
was a petted darling. with hands like
6aby's. He had never questioned if
she knew anything about work--the
idea in connection with Maud EVerleth
was absurd. He had been able to take
her to q home as fine as tho one she
would leave. but that was gone now.
Lovely. dainty. useless rs she seemed.
DIR. Andoyer had poured the whole
passion of his great heart out upon
her; and yon are not to think him weak
because just at first. when the news of
his ill-fOrtune came to him, hs shrank
and trembled under it. thinking OF tho
girl he loved. For he must give her
up; there WAS no doubt in his mind
about that. He could not ask her to
share the fate of Il poor physician who
depended upon his fees for living.
He even smiled grimly In tho midst OF
his suffering at the thought Of Maud
in calico dress. mixing up bread or
washing dishes with her white, slender
fingers, which he had only seen toying
with her fan, working embroidery, or
dashing over the keys OF a piano.
So DR.. Andover had written her q
brave farewell letter. Just q month be-
fore the time set for their wedding, In
forming her of his altered fortunos.,
and releasing her from her engage
ment to him. and he had received no
answer. although it was now Christ
mas week.
The doctor was worn out with ex.
posure to rough weather and many
sleepless nights. The demand upon
his time and strength had been greater
than usual. yet he had replied to them
all. never failing in kindly courtesy
beside the couch Of Betty Cary any
moro than in the luxurious chamber of
Madam Golddust. who feed him SO
generously.
1t was Christmas week, and Maud
was to have been his own next Friday
night. This thought tortured him un-
ceasingly. together with some words
in letter which had reached him q
few days before; letter from an ac-
quaintance who was visiting in the city
where Maud lived.
Il met your 'fance' at q party last
evening"" he had written. 81 admire
your choice. Shs was the brightest.
loveliest there. and the most graceful
dancer"
DIR. Andover experienced cruel
sense of desolation as he turned that
sentence over and over in his mind.
Mhdd had not loved him, after all.
She could be gay and bright when
they were forever separated!
The office fire sRiouldered to ashes,
and still he sat there, still aud sad. un-
til from sheer exhaustion he tell into
an uneasy slumber. About midnight
he awoke. alternately burning and
shivering. while duh pain throbbed
in his temples.
The doctors apartments were COM
modious and comfortable. A large
chamber opened from his private office.
which latter opened from q large re-
ceiving-room.
He was his own patient now, SO he
hastacsd TO bed; aud when his land
lady came in the morning to call him.
she found him unable to rise from his
pillow, feverish aud half delirious.
Christmas morning came bright and
frosty-s day after St Nicholas own
hearI-and the doctor. y Iritie better.
although weak and- languid, opened
his eyes to close them again imme-
diately with little pang. This was to
have been his wedding day! He could
hear the merry salutations on the
street, the clash of sleigh-bells. and
the pealing organ from ST. PauPs
church over the way; and the sunlight
and mirth and gladness made his own
pain seem the keener-just for NOM
ent, until his generous heart coutd
gather strength to renssert itself. and
be glad because others were glad.
The landlady, who had been like
mother to him. came in presently with
Il very smiling expression upon her
broad face.
Many of his grateful patients had
remembered him with some little
Christmas token. and Mrs. Derby had
placed them upon the stand at his bed
side; but now sha held in her hands q
small package addressed to him in =
familiar lady's hand and rsgistsrsd