The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-11-15
TIE MODERN RUTH.

n une-lOOhlnB man Cl oU; not handsome
4 but noble and manly-looking-one 10 /
trusted forever, with his broad, whit
brow and grave, clear, grny eyes. HI
lips too, under the full brown bear
were as fine as womsn's, without hckin
in strength and firmness.
i DIR. Androver's was one of those Grand
r kindly natures which seem made 70
n leaders and comforters. But fate ha
I lately frowned upon him. The bank i
q which the greater part of his snug littl
I fortune was deposited had failed, an,
c directly upon this came the news tha
some mining stock in which he had in
, vested was worthless, or nearly so. Th
doctor did not fear poverty himself-hi
practice brought him comfortable in
come, for the rich appreciated him a
well as the poor-but miles away in
distant city there was lovely girl whom
he had hoped 10 call his wife by Christ
mas time. A girl who, though no
wealthy herself, bad been extravagauily
educated by her uncle, in whoge luxuri
GUS home she lived. He bad never ques
toned II she knew anything about worl
the idea in connection with Maud Ev.
erleth was absurd. He must give hel
up; there was 10 doubt in his mind
about that. He could not ask her to
share the fate of a poor physician who
depended upon his fees for living.
So DR.. Androver had written her a
brave farewell letter just month before
the time set for their wedding, informing
her of his altered fortunes, and releasing
her, from her engagement TO him, and ue
had received no answer, although ii was
now Christmas week. He experienced a
cruel sense OF desolation. Maud had not
loved him, after ell.
The Office fire smoldered to ashes, and
still he sat there, still and sad, until
from sheer exhaustion he fell into an
uneasy slumber, About midnight he
awoke, alternately Burning and shiyering
while dull pain throbbed in his tenn
piles; and when his landlady came in the
morning to call him she found him un-
able to rise from his pillow, feverish and
half delrcus.
Maud had returned the engagement
ring. DR.. Androyer received the pack
age in silence. and Mrs Derby looked at
him with crestfallen expression.
II thought you would be pleased, doc
| tor. I've come 10 know Miss Everleth's
handwriting, you see, and [ supposed
she had sent you Christmas present
J The package came two days ago when
you we're delirious, and signed the reg
istry card and made bold to send the
lady telegram, notifying her of your
illness. received telegram in return
stating that Miss Everleih would start at
once TO come TO you. Shewill probably
be here to-day"
"To-dayW DR.. Audrover listened to
kind Mrs, Derby in bewildermt. What
did it all mean?
Christmas morning came bright and
frosty-a day after st. Nicholass own
heart-and the doctor, a trihe better, al.
though weak and hnguid, opened his
eyes to close them again Immediately
with n little pang. This was to have
been his wedding day.
The landlady, who had been like
mother to him. came in presently with a
very smiling expression upon her broad
face.
Many of his grateful patients had re-
membered him with some little Christ
mas token, aud Mrs. Derby had placed
them upon the stand at his bedside, but
now she beld in her hands small pack
age addressed to him in familiar lady's
hand and registered in distant city.
With trembling fingers he tore of the
wrapper of the tiny package, and opened
a jewelers. case. There upon its bed of
purple hay wide, gold finger ring, ex-
traordinarily wide, the inside of which
was completely covered with ine letter
ing Aud Dr. Androver read there the
grand old scriptural words which had
arisen in the heart OF the girl, who thus
proved herself worthy of him, when his
letters had come 10 her after many weary
days of delay;
EutreNt me not to leave thee. or return
from following after tLee; for whittier
thou Roest | will go, and where ihou
lodgest l will lodge; thy people shall be
my people and thy God my God: where
thou diest / will die and there will be
buried; the Lord to do so 10 me and
more also Taught but death part me and
thee.
1t was nearly noon when Maud herself
came. She had removed her wraps in |
Mrs Derhy's room, and after light tap
on the sick mans door she entered.
Alexander Audrover had thought her !
lovely in her exquisite party and carriage
and home toilets; but meyer had she |
seemed so sweet and gracious and wo-
manly as now, when in her plain gray
travelling costume, her lovely face q liz
tie pale with wearness and excitement,
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 darlingl My own sweet, true
hearted darlingl" cried the doctor, clasp
lug both his arms about her aud drawing
her face down to his own.
Aud presently, after the first greeting
was over Maud exclaimed;
"Your letter was delayed in some way.
l did not get 1t until a week ago. You
remember the great piece of gold you
sent me from California two years ago?
Well, when got your letter took that
gold to a jeweler and had it made into
ring. Aud then after received Mrs.
Derby's telegram l made uncle promise