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

ANr. AZ Aa0oNer received tne pack
age IN silence. and Mrs. Derby looked
as him witha crestfsllen expression.
81 thought you would be pleased,
doctor. I've come to know Miss Ever
leth's handwriting you see. and l sup
posed she had sent you a Christmas
present. The package came two days
ago when you were delirious, and
signed the registry-card and made
bold to send the lady telegram. noti-
flying her OF your illness. And. DIR.
Andovsr. can you bear some pleasant
newss l received a 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 q good
wife. She will probably be here to-
dav."
To-day! Doctor Andover listened to
kind Mrs. Derby in bewilderment.
What did it all meanp
With trembling fingers he tore off the
wrapper of the tiny package. and
opened jewelers. case. There upon
its bed Of purple lay a wide. gold fin
ger-ring. extraordinarily wide. the in
side of which was completely covered
with fine lettering. Aud DR.. Andover
read slowly. through blind rapturous
tears. the words which the jewellers in
strunent had traced there-the grand
old Scriptural words which had arisen
in the heart OF the girl. who thus
proved herself worthy of him, when
his letter had come 10 her after many
weary days Of delay:.-
"Entreat me- not to leave thee, or TO
return from following after thee; for
whittier thou goest | will go. and
where thou lodesst l will lodge; thy
people shall be my people. and thy God
my God; where thou diest | will die,
and there will L be buried; the Lord
do so to me and more also, if aught
but death part me and thee"
Mrs. Derby slipped out of the room.
crying herself. at the sight of DR.. And-
over, usually SO calm and strong and
self-possessed, crying like a two-year-
old baby. over Afaud's Christmas token.
1t was nearly noon when Maud her
self came. She had removed her
wraps in Mrs. Derby's room. and after
g light tap on the sick mau's door she
entered.
Alexander Andover had thought her
lovely in her exquisite party and car
riage and home toilets; but never had
she seemed so sweet and gracious and
womanly rs now when in her plain
gray travelling costume, her lovely face
little pale with WEAKNESS and excite
meat. her mouth tremulous. and her
dark eyes glowing with solemn light.
she glided in her swift, noiseless way
across the room to his side.
''My darling! My own. sweet, true
hearted darling!" cried the doctor.
clssping both arms about her and draw
ing her face down to his own.
And presently, after the first greet
ing was over. Maud explained
Your letter was delayed in some
way. did not get it until q week ago.
You remember the great piece of gold
you sent me from Californis two years
agoP Well. when / got your letter. l
took that gold to 3 jeweler. and had it
made into = ring. And then after
received Mrs. Derby's telegram made
uncle promise TO bring me to you at
once. ! would have como alone if he
had not come with me. horrible and
unconventional rs my fashionable
friends would have called me. Why,
Alexander. what o silly butterfly you
must have thought me! Do you think
! would care for riches without you?
hhu W. JSt ehAhA otb So0A uOkA-
ing but to dance the German and play
thspianoP assure you, SIR" and
here she doubled one small, white
hand in q threatening manner 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 the most important part of
my education. and am sure l shall
make . most excellent wife for q poor
man, That is, Alexander. and here
she flushed up sloriously-''if you will
have me-"
DIR. Andover smothered the last
words against his shoulder, and as soon
rs she could free herself from his I'M
ceremonious embrace she began anew
TO coax and wheedle him into some
new plan of her own. to which he at
first objected. but finally yielded. The
result was that at five o. clock that af-
ternoon Maud Everleth was made Dr.
Alexander Andover's wife, and at once
asserted her authority by taking upon
herself the duties of nurse.
OF course under such treatment ne
recovered rapidly. and every day grew
to appreciate more and more the 10y.
atty and worth of the sweet little wo.
man who had not failed him in his
dark hour.