The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-04-29
THE MODRRN RUTH.

<he big Ieather-covered chair before his Office
tire with weary sigh. He was a fne-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 a woman's with
out lacking in strength and irmness.
Dr.. Andovef's patients-especislIy the
poorer class and children-turned to him in
stinctively for advice and sympathy. lie was
-one of those grand kingly natures which
seem made for leaders and comforters. Poor
old Betty Cary, q bed-ridden psralytic, could
not speak of him without shedding tears of
gratitude. Little Jane Ellis suffering with
an lDcuIable hip disease, looked U pom him
as q sort Of god On earth. There were a score
more who thought of him not only as their
ply sicign, but IS q kind and generous friend
who delighted to brighten the lives which
won otherwise be poor aud barren enough.
b a-s bad lately fro Snsd upon him. In
Che a Il place, the bank in which the greater
part q is snug little fortune was posted,
hsd failed, end directly upOn this had come
the news That some mining stock, in whica
he bsd invested, was worthless, or nearly so.
The Doctor did not fear poverty himseIf-his
practice brought him comfortable income
for tie rich appreciated him as well az the
poor-but miles away, IN distant city there
was lovely ri whom he had hoped to call
his vile by Chistmss time. A girl who
though rot wealthy herself had been exsrey-
sgsnily educated by Der uncle in whose
Injurious home she lived. he knew that
not the slightest pIivatiOn had ever cone II
her she ~ss Petted darling. with hands
like baOy's. He had never questioned
II she knew anything ab0Ut work-the idsa
in connection with Maud Eserleth was ab.
su1d BE haG bsea able take her 20 a
bone as iine as the one she would leave, bat
list YES gene now.
Lovely, dainty, Eseless es she seemed, Dr.
ndovsE had poured the whole passion of
his great heart upon her; and you are not to
think him weak because Just st first, when
the news OK his Ill fortune came to him he
shra1k aud trembled under it thinking OF
4 the girl be loved; for he must give her uD.
There was no doadt in mis- mind about that
he could not ask her TO share the fa.e of z
poor ply stefan who depended upon his fees
for living. BE even smiled grlmly in the
midst OF his suffering at the thought OF Maud
an q calico dress, mixing up bread or washing
dishes with her white, slender fingers, which
be had only seen toying with her fan, work
ing at embroidery, or dashing over the keys
OF piano.
So DR.. Andoyer 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
engagement to him, and he had recsived no
answer, although it was now Christmas
week.
The Doctor was worn out with exposurs
20 rough weather aud many 81 sepless nights.
The demand upon his tine 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 more
than in the luxurious chamber of Mime.
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 INCREASINGLY, togstner
with some words in a letter which had
reached him few days before; letter from
aD scq1sintsnce who was visiting in the city
'Thers Maud lived.
Il met your .fiance' at party LAST even
ing" he mad written. II admire your choice.
She was the brightest, loveliest there, and
the most graceful dancer"
Dr.. AndoVsr experienced a cruel sense OF
desolati0n as he turned that sentence over
and over in his mind. Maud had not loved
him after all. She could be gay snd bright
when they were forever separated
The Office FIRE smoldered to ashes, and still
he sat there. still and sad until from sheer
exhaustion be fell into an uneasy slumber.
About midnight he swoke, alternately burn
ing and shivering, while dull pain throbbed
In bis temples
The Doctors apartments we're connections
and comfortable. A large chamber ooened
from ais private Office, which latter opened
Gom a large receiving room
he lis own patient now, 50 he has
tened 10 bsd; and wheu his Iandlady came
in the morning to call him she found him
unable tn rise from his piil3w, feverish and
hall dfiirious
Christmas morning came bright aud frosty
Il csy after s.. Nicholas own heart-and
the Doctor a tTifie better although weak aud
languid, opened his eyes to close them again
Immediately with q little pang This TO
be his wedding day. BE could hear the
merry Situations on the street. the clash OF
7lejgh bells sDd the pealing organ from ST.
Paul's Church over the way, an the SUM-
light and mirth and gladness made hts 0 Tn
pain seem tie ksener-just for moment,
until his generous hesrt could gather
strength 10 rsasssrt itself and be glad because
Others were glad.
TIE la1dIady, who had been like a mother
to him. came in presently with very smil-
Ing EXPRESSION upon her broad face.
Many of bis grateful ps'ients had remsm
bsrsd him with some little Christmas token,
and Mrs Derby had placed them upon The
stand st bis bedside; bur now she held 10 bel
hands small package addressed to him in 9
familiar iady's hand and registered Il 8
distant city.
Maud hsd returned ihe en- cement ring
DR.. AndoVer received the package IN silence
AND Mrs DERBY looked at him with crest
fallen expression
I thought you would be pleased Doctor
I've come TO know Miss Eyerieth's hand
writing yen see, and I supposed she nsc
~eDt son Christmas present. This package
cane two days ago when you were deliSious
and I signed the registry card AID made
bcld to send the LADY telegram notifying
her Ct yCuT Illness And. Dr.. AndoTer, car
Soa bear some pleasant news? recsiveS
a telegram in return Stating that Ms
Eve.lefh would start ct once to c)me t.
yeu Now, that Is the sort Of girl to make
man good wife. She will probably be her
tc-dsy.n
To day DR.. Andovsr listened to kline
Mrs. Derby IN be1iIdernent- What did i
ell meab2
With milling fingers he tore the wrap
per OF the tiny package and opened Jew
eler's case. There upon its bed OF purol
Isy wide gold finger ring extrsordinariI,
vide, the inside of which was complefel'
coFersd with fine lettering. And DR.. Ando