Connecticut western news., 1891-06-10
DOCTORS INHERITANCE.

DOCTORS INHERITANCE. Two gentlemen, both past middle age, were seated beside 8 glowing grate fire, chatting as old friends will who have met after long separation. The hour was late, nearly midnight, but no sign of weariness was on either face. The room was a library, with we'll filled book cases on all sides, 8 large, business like table in the center and deeply cushioned chairs scattered about. One bookcase contained only medical works in sub stantial bindings, and with marks of service plainly visible.
 Dr. Thornton, host and owner of the handsome house in which the room was situated, was a man past 40, with iron gray hair, strongly marked features, a tall, erect figure and an expression at once kindly and resolute You read prompt decision in his dark blue eyes and sympathy in the pleasant smile that often crossed his lips.
 His companion, heavily bearded and bronzed by travel, was far handsomer man, but with weaker face.
 "At last" he said, stretching himself lazily in his deep arm chair, "I find you alone and disengaged. Give me per mission to stuff a towel into that ob- trusive office bell of yours, so that no whining woman or squalling brat can summon you away and make me un- happy"
 Cant be done, Tom. Make the most of y,,o ,,oxyy for fbo c1oir,S Of fbo ing women and the squaling brats can not be denied"
 "You know what want to hear. 1 left you twelve years ago poor man with struggling, almost wholly gra- tuitous practice, 8 sworn bachelor, and almost hermit outside of your profes- sional duties. find you wealthy, with charming wife and popular member of society, and yet your practice is, as before, almost entirely among those who could not fee you if they would. From what relative unknown to me, your own cousin, did you inherit your fortune?"
 Did it ever occur to you, Tom, that there are romances in real life all about us, quite as improbable as those found upon the shelves of the circulating i- brary? My experience will convince you that speak with authority. Twelve years ago-we are getting old, Tom-I was, as you say, a poor man, studying hard, living in a stuffy house in poor neighborhood, hoping for better times, more profitable practice and a fuller purse. was bachelor because could offer only poverty to wife; hermit because my studies were expressing. In my small house kept one old woman servant, who cooked for me and kept things tidy. Having no carriage I needed no boy, for Martha could write, and had much larger office practice than that outside.
 'tIt was late, one bitter night in Janu- ary, when was reused by the office bell and the sound of excited voices under my window. fastening down I found several men carrying upon shutter the unconscious patient was to aid, if pos Eble.
 ".An old man, sir, knocked down by runaway horses and run over,' said one of the party, as they gently deposited their burden upon sofa. Badly hurted, I'm thinking, doctor, but not deadp
 ! my examination convinced me that any further motion would result fatally. Keep him must, or risk his life by re- moval to hospital. With the assistance of two of the men undressed him and put him into my own bed, noticing then that he wore no coat.
 Somebody took it off, they told me, and apparently somebody kept it, as it never appeared again. In the trousers pockets were only some triding articles, bunch of keys and handkerchief, but nothing to give any clew to the identity of my patient and uninvited guest.
 "I will not enter into the details of the injuries that excited my interest as a physician and surgeon as much as they called for my sympathy as man. There were complications in the case that called upon all my skill and knowledge and the patient endurance of great sui fering made me respect my unfortunate guest from the first.
 "It was nearly fortnight before he recovered from the brain injury sui fcient1y to speak distinctly. When the sufferer could speak he told me that his name was Fanshawe, but said nothing more of himself, and I supposed him un willing to confess to poverty and the in ability to pay me for my services.
 '1 do not take much credit to myself for my hospitality or devotion, becaus' Twas so deeply interested in the ease, professionally considered, thaU would have lived on bread and water rathe' than have it taken out of my hands.
 "As he became stronger my patien became my friend, and interested m deeply by the variety and depth of hi information, his experience of travel ant charm of conversation.
 ''Not until he was convalescent ant had been an inmate of my house for fou months did know that he was 8 man O wealth, living in the house now oc cupy.
 ''To cure him was beyond huma, skill, but through two years I attended him, alleviating great suffering ant often accepting his invitations to 'spen, an hour or two with a lonely old man.
 "When he died he left me his entir fortune, which l supposed to be mine only because he had no direct heirs ol near relatives. He had never spoken bu, once of his family, and then said briefly that he was widower and had lost hi, only child.
 'sI had enjoyed my inheritance fol more than pine years when fell in love I, who had never cared for female so ciety before, became deeply attached t.
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