The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-25
THE MODERN RUTH.

the big leather covered chair before his Office
fire with a weary sigh. He was q ine-looking
man OF thirty; not handsome, bat noble and
manly looking-one to be trusted forever,
with his broad white brow and grave, clear
gray eyes. His lips. too, under the fall
brown beard were as fine as a WomRns with
out lacking in strength and frmness.
DR.. Andovers specially the
poorer class and children-turned TO him in
stinctiyeIy for advice and sympathy. He was
one Of those grand klngly natures which
seem made for leaders and comforters. Poor
old Betty Cary, bed-ridden psralytic. could
not apeak OF him without shedding tears OF
gratitude. Little Jane Ellie, suffering with
an incursb'e hip disease, lookei upon him
as sort Of ID on earth. There were score
more who thought Of hiIn not only Is their
physician. but kind and generous friend
who delighted TO brighten tins lives which
would nerwiee be poor and Darrsn enough.
but late had lately troTnec upon him- 10
the first place, the bank ia which the greater
part of bis ug little fortune was deposited
bad failed, and directly upon this had come
tie Iews that some mining stock In which
be had invested, was worthless, or nearly so.
Tbs Doctor di6 not fear poverty himseif-his
practice brought him comfortable income.
for the rich appreciated him az well az the
pCoT-bu. mies away, il q distant city. thsre
Was lovely ri whom he had hoped to call
bis wife by Chistmas time. a girl who,
though not wealthy herself had been extrav-
agan,ly educated by her uncle. Ia WHOSE
luxurious home she lived. BE knew that
not the slightest privatiOn had eyer come to
her; she was p petted darling with hands
like a baby's. He had never questioned
II she knew any thing about work-ths idea
In connection with Eiaud Egerleth wa5 40.
surd. lie had bsea able 10 take her TO 8
home as fire as the one she would leave, bat
that gone now.
Lovely dainty, uFeless as she sesmsd, DR..
Andoyer bad poured the whole passion of
bis great heaTt upon her and yuu are not to
think bin weak because Just az first, when
the news OF his ill-fortune came to him hs
shTalk and trembled under It, thinking of
the cir be loved; for he must give Der up.
There was DO doubt In his mind about that
He could not ask her to share the fate of a
poor physician who depended upon bis fees
for living. He even smiled grizzly in the
midst OF his suffering at the thought of Maud
in calico dress, mixing ap bread or washing
dishes with her white, slender fingers which
he had only seen toying with her fan, work.
ing at embroidery, or dashing over the keys
of piano.
So DR.. Andover had written her brave
farewell letter just month before the time
set for their wedding, informing her OF his
altered fortunes, and releasing her from her
answer, although 1t was low Christmas
week.
The Doctor Ess worn out with exposure
TO rough weather and many sleepIess nights.
The demand upon his time and strength had
bsen greater than usual, vet he had replied
to them all, never failing in kindly courtesy
beside the couch of Betty Cary any more
an IN the luxurious chamber of Nine.
llddust, who feed him so generously.
1t was Christmas week. and Maud was to
Lave been his own next Friday night. This
thought tortured him unceasinglv together
with some words in a letter which had
reached him few days before; letter from
an acquaintance who was visiting in the city
where Maud lived.
Il net your 'fiance' at party last even
ing" he had written. "Iadmirs your choice.
She Was the brightest, loyeliest there, and
the most graceful dancer"
DR.. Andovsr experienced q cruel sense OF
desolation IS he turned that sentence over
and over IN bis mind. Maud had not loved
him after all She could be gay end bright
when they were forever separated
The Office fire smoldered 10 ashes. and stiIl
he sat there. still and sad, until from sheer
exhaustion be fell into an uneasy slumber
About midnight he awoke, alternately barn
ing and shivering, while dull pain throbbed
in his temples.
The DoctoI's apartments were connexions
and comfortable. A large chamber oDenee
from his private Office, which latter opened
fiom large receiving room.
He was his own patient now. 50 he hss-
tened TO bed and wheu his lapdiady came
in the morning TO call him she found him
unable to rise from his pillow, feverish aud
half delirious
Christmas morning came bright aud frosty
"a day after st. Nicholas own heart-and
the Doctor. trihe better, although weak and
languid. opened bis eyes 10 Gloss them again
Immediately with little parg This vas to
&c his wedding day. he could hear the
ID cry salutatoEs on the street. the clash of
sltlgn bells and the psaling organ from st.
rsnis Church over the way, and the sun
lie NJ and mirth and gladness made his own
pain seem the keener-jusi for A moment.
until his generous hesrt could gather
strength 10 reasser: itself and be glad because
others were glad.
The lanolsdy, who had bsen like a mother
to him, came IN presently with very smil.
ing expression upon her broad face
Many OF his grateful patients had remsm-
beTsd him with some little Christmas token.
and Mrs. Derby had placed them upon the
stand ut his bedside; but now she held in her
hands a small package addressed to him in a
familiar lsdy's hand and registered in a
distant city.
Maud had returned the engagement ring.
Dr. Andover received the pack age in silence.
and Mrs Derby looked ut him with q crest.
fallen expression.
Il thought you would be pleased, Doctor.
I've come to know Miss Everleth's hand
writing. you zee, and / supposed she had
sent you Christmas present This package
came two days ego when yen were dslirious,