The morning call., 1892-08-13
ROMANCE OF GROVETOWN.


musician; but in the good old days OF his
graduation no one thought of gaining ily-
ing by the latter pursuits One must, no
matter what bis gifts were, be either law
yer. clergyman or a physician. 1he nrst
two Harold decided he could not be. Medi-
cine alone was left to him. Profession de-
cided. the next thing to be determined was
where TO study. In those days medical
schools and hospitals were not general, and
candidates for the Eseulapian degree studied
at the homes Of regular practitioners. Har-
ODDS home was in rural community, and
having considered the several physicians
within few mics of his home, he settled
finally upon DR.. William Gray, who was
considered the most skillful surgeon and
practitioner of medicine In Washington
County.
Dr. Gray lived a few miles distant in
small hin village named GroyetoWD. from
a group of large naples IN the center, saved
when the hill was cleared Of the ptlmeval
forest, serving the village as park and the
surrounding country as a picnic ground.
There was but little business carried on in
Grovetown, and its only institutions of
Eubljc nature were an academy, holei,
store and a pOstofflce.
DIR. Gray was considered a singular man.
He was scientist devoted and conseien-
tiouS In his profession. His business was
til heal, and no storm, however severe, ever
Kept MIN from u patent w ASH nc udO
particularly dangerous case on hand he
would stay with the patient for hours he
seemed to care little for money; II was
common saying in the village that Ii would
pay him To hire collector. tie was given
To few words seldom showing any emotion,
and for this reason was considered by many
TO be hard-heaTted. Perhaps 1t was for this
reason that, while he was respected by all,
be could scarcely be said to be loved by any.
He occasionally showed signs Of senti-
Il 4 Z
knowledge II by that name The first horse
be ever owned. long since past use, he kept
in summer in freshly cultivated pasture
on delicate white clover, and in winter on
food especially prepared for his almost
toothless Jaws. When asked why he did
'DutyI He has been faithful servant to
me-"
DUTY" was the doctors watchword.
A few years before our story opens DR..
Gray had married Lawyer Coles daughter;
she was much younger than himself,
handsome blonde of sentimental disposition,
whose time had been spent IN drumming
little on the piano, painting a little, and in
reading novels great deal The marriage
caused considerable surprise, the bride and
her husband were so unlike. But the pair
seemed TO live happily together
Ala Gray, however, was young and fond
of amusement, her husband was old and de-
visited TO study, hence 1t fell out that the
young vile WAS OItel lonely. ne doctor
knew this, and was glad when Harold Har-
grave became a member OF his household
he would amuse Ada. and they could sing
and re6d together. Harold saw no objec-
lion to this arrangement, and his medical
studies suffered in consequence. This was
not altogether satisfactory to DR.. Gray, for
he was conscientious, and duty came in
here as 10 everything else. He insisted on
certain amount of study, and that Harold
should see his patients. at is crime to be
a SKIM milk physician" he would say. But
on many an evening when he was called on
an important case which he thought il ad-
Visabie for Harold TO see, he was importuued
by Ada 10 allow the young man TO stay at
home, and he yielded 10 her invariably.
The end OF all this may be easily guessed.
PrOpIe began TO talk" OF Harold and his
patrons wife. The young man hearing this
was troubled. he did not wish to involve
his kind friends in a scandal. He felt he
had been honorable in his intentions and
actions toward both and they toward him.
That being the case, was there any harm in
their manner of life? To the outside world
1t looked suspicious True, it was none of
their business, but people never have been
careful about the line of demarkati0n be-
tween their affairs and those of others
Then again. was he attending strictly to the
affairs that had brought him to GToYetoWn?
He spent tie night In this kind of reason
ing, and one morning, weary with lack of
sleep, decided that IN the future he would
by action Of his
A fer that he insisted upon accom- panying
Doctor Gray on his daily rounds. The old
gentleman looked at him occasionally Ia a
curious way, as If he noticed his increasing
interest in medicine, aud apparently il
pleased him. Ada noticed it Also aud
something very like q pout came to her
pretty lips when she pleaded loneliness in
vain. She missed her cavalier, and even her
fayOrite novels failed to compensate her for
his loss
Nor was il pleasant change to Harold.
Something seemed to have been taken out
of his life. Occasionally when he returned
to his old way for day or an evening it
brought an unaccountable sense OF pleas
ure. This troubled him. He was on dan
gerous ground. What should he do? bar
old considered this question thoroughly. and
at last came to the conclusion that be must
go away. But what excuse could he give
the doctor and his wife. He at last decided
TO make clean breast OF it to the former
and give no excuse 10 Ada He therefore
made arrangements to commence study in
another town.
The doctor opened his eyes when Harold
first disclosed his reason for leaving him,
then settled into his hsbitual quiet 1t was
right he should go, aud he commended his
course. 1t was his duty.
Harold went away, and was happy to
think be had caused the doctor no serious
anxiety; but he felt sense of loneliness he
bad never before experienced. He realized
that he loved Ada. Was his passion re-
turned? He could not answer this question:
but when a gossip of Grovetown wrote him
that the beautiful Mrs. Gray was losing
health and spirits he felt an odd mixture Of
sorrow and exultation.
Six months passed. One morning Hsrold
was surprised to see DR.. Gray drive into
his dooryaTd, as small lawns were called in
those days. He appeared genial and kind
In the interview that followed. but Harold
thought he was more grave than usual. Sud-
denly he asked Harold if he had made any
definite arrangements for starting in his
profession. lie had not. Dr. Gray then in
formed his former pupil that he had taken
1t upon himself to make plans for him.
II Is useless to deny" he said. that /
can give Mrs. Gray happiness no longer.
She is pinlDg away-in fact, she is dying
and for your Something seemed TO check
the doctor. but clearing hrs throat he went
on quietly. She's my wife, but what's the
use OF Tying her to me If she cannot be
happy? Neither of you is to blame for
what has happened. We've had talk and
decided to live apart You are to step into
my Practice ana house. l shall not need
them longer. for | have obtained a position
IN the hospital at B.. The only recon-
pense L ask is thatyou keep Kitty. NV worn
out horse, until she dies"
But, doctor" burst out Harold. who had
Deen until now too much surprised TO
speak, this is monstrous! will not con-
sent TO such a sacrifice"
Hear to the end before you decide. |
do not propose to give you my practice out
right. you are merely to held 1t in trust for
Ada. For myself-well. / nave an incurable
disease which soon must carry me of. 1t
viii be comfort to know that / leave nv
wife IL good hands"
III Won are i'll, doctor, so much greater
the reason that you should stay in your own
home" said Harold, who hardly knew how
70 zeal with this singular proposal. Ada"
tell you l will not have it sol My wife
shall not be sacrificed to a sick old man.
Coax her back to life and health, Hargrave,
and when am gone, marry her-and God
bless you bothp
Hargrave could not speak for moment;