Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-11-23

|
"You-you wouldn't break your en-
gagement, l suppose. You know you
could have Esther Warren and hel
fortune for asking.
81 never thought of such thing"
Perhaps you had better consider it.
No, do not imagine that Essie has
taken me into her confidence"
"She is maidenly and modest as the
most fastidious lover could WISH" con-
tinued the old doctor "but | have
known and loved her since she was a
baby, and | can read her heart. Poor
child"
His sigh was echoed by Doctor
| Dunn.
"Wlll you believe me if l tell you,
that | never dreamed of this ?" he said
earnestly. miss Warren seemed to
me set apart by her suffering from
earthly passions, and | should have as
soon thought of loving a saint"
'She is very rich"
eyes; | am glad she has every al
deviation money can give her," said
Doctor Dunn, not approaching the i'm
piled hint.
"And Miss Leigh is she wealthy 2"
"My Annie? Bless you, no But we
are not afraid | shall continue to live
here for few months, because Annie
will select and furnish house so much
better than can, but it will be the
tiniest cottage?
"Well, you can CO." said the old
doctor, "and take my best wishes for
your happiness"
But he said it in dull, heavy tone,
and his face was very grave when he
called upon Esther
"You must take me back for a
month, he said, as cheerfully as if his
heart was not like lead in his BOSOM
"My assistant has gone away
Then he looked at Esther's fernery,
as if his whole soul was absorbed in
ferns, and added
"He has gone home to be married.
1t is quite romantic A long engage
ment, with the wedding postponed by
poverty on both sides"
He heard quick, gasping breath,
but did not turn his head as he con-
tinued:
"What luck you have with your
ferns. My maidenhair will never grow
as yours does. Mrs. Wyck says that
raising flowers or ferns is gift She
does not succeed as you do" and so on,
and so on, until clear voice, low,
sweet and perfectly quiet, interrupted
doctor Wyck, please come and sit
here by me and tell me about Doctor
Dunn"
He told her all he knew.
81 feel very grateful to the DOCTOR
Essie said, "for he has been more than
kind, and I should like to make his
wife wedding present. hope we
shall be friends"
81 hope so" the doctor said.
He left her soon after, stopping i'll
the hall to mutter:
II had rather face the worse surgi-
cal operation | ever performed than
nepeat that"
But Essie made no moan.
Even Martha could only guess her
pain and before the new doctor return.
ed to Millville his patient was hel
sweet, placid self again.
But al the station Doctor Dunn and
his happy wife found Robert the coach
man, waiting with carriage.
"Miss Esther's compliments, Doctor,
he said, "and you will allow me tc
drive you home 2"
1t was bewildering to be driven tC
the prettiest Of cottages which was
brilliantly lighted.
A little maid servant opened The
door, and ushered the way to draw
ing room, dainty furnished, where /
| note was laid conspicuously upon thu
table.
1t was directed to "Mrs. Herber
Dunn" and begged the acceptance o
cottage and contents from the doctor
\ grateful patient, Esther Warren"
"Ours p the bride cried. 9TH
/ pretty home is ours p
| And happy home it proved, a
! well as pretty one.
h Martha had made it attractive an,
complete as possible, every room hand
4 somely furnished, and many trifes 0
ESTES own work adding to its beauty
K and the doctor accepted it with a mos
earnest resolution to pay her if skill
Il aud lindnoss conld over do 90