Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-23
MARY'S BROKEN TROTH.

MARY'S BROKEN TROTH.
When Mary Clarimont's engagement
was proclaimed to the world there ensued
general expression of surprise.
People generally are surprised at matri-
monial engagements. There is always
some cogent reason why things should
have been adjusted otherwise-why John
should have married Joan, and Peter
should prefer Betsey. Nobody was ever
yet married to suit everybody.
But in Mary CIarimont's case it did
really seem as if the course of true love
had interferred seriously with the current
of common sense and prudence.
Miss Clarimont was only one-and-twen-
ty, a tah, imperial beauty, with dewy black
eyes, "a skin as fresh as damask rose, and
dark brown hair coied in shining bands
at the back of her head. Moreover, Miss
Clarimont had career" before her. She
had Just graduated from Medheld medical
university, and taken out her diploma as
M. D.
''And only think of it," said Aunt 10,
bursting into tears of vexation and dis
appointment 'tbat..she must needs go and
ruin all her prospects by getting engaged
to Harry MARROW down in New York;
at does seem strange, Aunt 10, when |
sit down and think of it, said DR.. Mary,
laughing and blushing. six months ago
my profession was all the world to me. |
neither wished nor cared for any thing
outside its limits The future was all
mapped out before me without let or him
drance; and now
"Humphr growled Aunt 10. ANY
braiuless idiot can get married and keep
mans house and mend his shirts for
him, but you were made for something
higher and more dignifed, Mary"
Mary's downright eyes sparkled.
Higher, Aunt Jo?" said she. More
dignifed? There you are mistaken.
There is no higher or more dignifed lot in
life than that of a true wife of noble
husband. "
"Fiddlesticks said Aunt 10. Gas if
every poor fool who was dazzled by the
glittering of wedding ring didn't
say the same thing? You've disap-
pointed me, Mary Clarimont and I'm
ashamed of you, and that is the long and
short of it. y
Dear Aunt 10" said she, 81 shall not
let my sword and shield rust, believe me.
Harry has only his own talents to advance
him in the world and it will be at least a
year before we shall be ready to marry.
In the meantime | shall accept the post of
house and practice my profession in Al
denbury just the same as if there were no
engagement.
II wish to goodness there wash t, -
said Aunt 10. 81 tell you what,
Mary, | don't fancy that smiling smooth
tongued young man of yours, and never
shall.
Still DR.. Mary Clarimont kept her
temper.
Il am sorry, Aunt Jo, she said, pleas
antly, but hope that you will eventually
change your mind
81 used to keep thread and-needle
store when | was a young woman, re-
marked Aunt 10, dryly, "and | always
could tell the ring of counterfeit half-dol-
lar when a customer laid it on the counter.
| could then, and | can now-and | tell
you what, Mary, there's base metal about
Hurry NARROW.
Dr. Mary.bit her lip.
Perhaps. We will not discuss the sub
iect further, Aunt Jo," she said, with
quiet dignity, and the old lady said no
more.
Aunt 10 is wrong" persisted the pref,
ty Young M. D. to herself.
"Mary is making fool of herself,
thought Aunt 10.
Aldenbury was pretty manufacturing
village, with main street shaded by UNI
brageous naples, a west end, where
people who had made their fortunes lived
comfortably in roomy old houses, surround
ed by Velvet lawns and terraced gardens
and an least end" where the people
fought desperately and not always success
fully to keep body and soul together Oh
the merest pittance.
And little way out of the village the
almshouse, built and endowed by certain
smuggling tea captain, whose conscience
had pricked him during his latter days
raised its gray stone gables to the sky
and made a picturesque background to thu
landscape.
DR.. Many Clarimont made something o
a sensation in Aldenbure. Up to thi
sturdy old gentlemen with wigs, or per
young ones with eyegl asses.
A beautiful young lady who wrote pre-
scriptions and compounded pills and Pc
tions was a novelty in the town, and b.
no means a disagreeable one. Peopl
rather liked the idea, once they had con
WINGED themselves that the lady doctor I'm
derstood herself and her patients.
And the poor old people at the aims
house grew to love Dr. Mary and hstel
with eager ears for the sound of her car
riage wheels over the blue gravel driv
which led up to the portico.
1t was brilliant December day whe
the young physician stood in the neatl
earpeted reception room, drawing on he
full gloves previous to entering her nea
phaeton once again, while she reiterated t
the white capped maid some direction
concerning old Ann Mudgett's rheums
tism, when the matron hurried in.
"Oh, / beg your pardon, DR.. Clar
mont, ," SAID she, ''but clean forgot tt
new old woman.
1.-THE new old woman, repeated D.
Mary, with smile
THAT is" exclaimed Mrs. Cunning
ham, she only come last night-a quit
old soul; half blind and quite bad wit
asthma. Perhaps you d better just see hi
before you go. She brought card OF al
mission from DIR. Merton, the New Iol
clergymen, who is one of our director
you know. And she seems decent boo
enough"