The Portland daily press., 1890-07-04

curling down upon it. Just below one
shell-ike ear small star shaped spot
showed white upon the now rosy skin.
1t would probably not be noticeable
usually. The young lady came to my
office for some days until the wounds
were quite healed. AS she was young
and healthy it did not take long, but l
never got glimpse of her face, nor did
try to do so, having too much respect
for the courageous young creature. When
handed her $500 instead of the 5000 she
had expected she was quite overcome
with joy Her voice was fully of happy
tears as she clasped my hand in both of
hers and faltered:
"Oh, doctor, l do not know how to
thank you; you cannot realize what
help this money will be to us. 1t is
perfect godsend, and don't one bit mind
the pain, which, I'll confess now, was
rather hard to bear"
My own needs enabled me to quite I'M
lerstand her feelings My thousand
freed me from many a present worry,
and before it was gone had secured
quite a paying practice.
L
ments. When he was sufficiently re-
covered he went abroad for awhile He
returned after some months, pleased with
his trip, and delighted with his handsome
brown mustache, which certainly added
much to his good looks. He was 50 busy
with social arrangements and I was so
fully occupied that for some months saw
very little of him. The fault was chiefly
mine, however, for Frank seemed to think
more of me than ever, and often found
his card upon my return from profess
sional call One evening he came and
found me at leisure.
$50 glad to find you in, DOCTOR" he
said; 1--WE come to be congratulated. l
am going to marry the dearest girl in
the world, and want you, my best friend,
to wish me joy"
| did congratulate him heartily and
asked if knew the lady.
mo. think not" he replied. "She
is Miss Mildred Faye, a member of the
company at - theatre. Don't look so
surprised. Not nicer girl lives. A
breath of SANDER has never touched her
name Her father died when she was
about 1S-just out of school. He was
thought to be very well off-the family
had always lived in good style-but at
his death his wife and two daughters
found themselves almost penniless. Not
even their home belonged to them. Mrs.
Faye, delicate little body, unused to
work Of any kind, had no idea as to how
they were to make living, so Mildred
had to take the lead Kate, three or
four years younger than she, must be
kept in school. and the three must be
provided, somehow, with food, clothing
and shelter. Mildred had beer fai-
educated, but not thoroughly enc
attempt teaching, so she determii. ~
ro $780, - 5ne had had good
- oXperiencein amateur theatricals,
| and had been warmly praised for her
acting. l had heard of Miss Faye's tai
emit, but never happened to see her.
Good critics had said she would make a
sensation if she would go on the stage
professionally. When she announced
her determination her friends were much
shocked and her mother quite overcome,
but no one had anything better to sug-
gest, SO she had her own way. She knew
that she was inexperienced and must be
content with q small salary and small
| part to begin with. She wished very
much to get into home company, but
that seemed impossible, so she accepted
minor part in a very good company going
upon the road.
"No one who has not tried it cas- under
stand what she had to endure. Tenderly
cared for all her life, with plenty of
money for reasonable needs, she now had
to practice the strictest economy. She
stopped at cheap hotels, did without fires,
walked whenever it was possible to do
SO, all to save every cent she could for
the loved ones at home. She was under
study for the leading lady, who was
neither young nor pretty, but who pos
| sessed what Mildred most lacked ex-
| perience. She also possessed temper,
and one night, not long before the rising
| of the curtain, refused to go on. The
| long suffering manager appealed TO Mil
dred. She was letter perfect, and in
| spite of considerable natural nervousness
made a great hit. The delighted man.
| ager gave her the part for the rest of the
season, but tried to keep her salary I'M
changed. This she would not agree to,
SO they finally compromised on fair
sum, which enabled Mildred to take bet
ter care of herself and to send more
money to her mother. The part suited
her, and everywhere she was warmly
| praised for her acting. Everything looked
bright and promising when telegram
| called her to her mothers side. 1t was so
worded that she was not much alarmed.
1t was Saturday night They were near
New York and she left, expecting to re-
| join the company in time for the per-
Torrance Monday evening.
''She found that her mother had slipped
upon the stairs and dislocated her arm.
This had been set, and, the doctor said,
would soon be well; but she was nervous
and shaken, and would not hear Of Mil
dred's leaving her, and kept the poor girl
until her place in the company had long
been filed. When Mrs. Faye, slowly
recovering, came to her senses, the sea-
son was nearly closed and an engage
ment was not to be had. Their money
was about gone, and times, fancy, were
| pretty hard, when some good friend must
| nave heiped them with loan. At the
| beginning OF this season, Mildred got her
| present position. A very good one. if
she was going to remain upon the stage,
winch she's not, you know. She is
| gong to marry me two weeks from To-
day. l want you and Mrs. Keene TO
come TO the wedding. Only the family,
young lady friend of Mildred's and
my dear old partner will be there. The
rooms are too small to have any one
else. We go away at once. Mrs. Fave
and Kate will take possession of our
house, which l am busy furnishing.
You know I've never had much of
home, and feel awfully happy over the
| prospect of having such nice mother
and sister and the sweetest wife in the
world. And now good-by. Don't forget
The dayl' and the happy fellow went
away as if walking on air.
The appointed hour found myself and
wife knocking at the door of Mrs. Faye's
cozy little fat. Frank presented us to
his future mother and the minister-Mr.
Haines, Franks partner, we knew already
and then stepped to the door of the
next room and handed out the bride, who
was followed by her sister and her friend.
The bride wore simple white gown
with veil falling over her face. Miss
Duncan, pretty blonde, was in blue.
Kate Faye, a slip Of girl, dark haired
and dark eyed, wore pink. The minister