Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-04-15
CHAPTER I.

and was shared, greatly to my own pleasure and con- venience, by a clever young German whose acquaintance I had made in the hospital, and to whom had become, in the one short year in which we had practiced together. most unreasonably attached. l say unreasonably because it was a liking for which could not ac- count even to myself, as he was neither especially prepossessing in appearance nor gifted with any too great amiabili- ty of character. He was, however, a brilliant theorist and an unquestiona- ply reliable practitioner, and for these reasons probably entertained for him Q profound respect and as have al- ready said hearty and spontaneous affection.
 As our specialties were the same, and as, moreover, they were of n nature which did not call for night work, we usually spent the evening together. But once failed to join him at the of flee, and it is of this night have to tell. had been over to Orange, for my heart was sore over the quarrel I had had with Dora, and I was resolved to make one final effort toward reconcilia- tion. But, alas for my hopes, she was not at home; and what was worse, soon learned that she was going to sail the next morning for Europe. This news coming as it did without warning affected me seriously; for I knew if she escaped from my influence at this time should certainly lose her forever; for the gentleman concerning whom we had quarreled was much better match for her than I, and almost equally in love. However, her father, who had al- ways been my friend, did not look upon this same gentleman's advantages with as favorable an eye as she did, and when he heard I was in the house he came hurrying into my presence, with excitement written in every line of his hne face.
 "Ah! Dick, my boy" he exclaimed, joyfully, "how opportune this is! 1 was wishing you would come, for do you know Appleby has taken passage on board the same steamer as Dora, and if he and she cross together they will certainly como to an understanding, and that will not be fair to you or pleasing to me, and I do not care who knows it!"
 gave him one look and sank quite overwhelmed into the seat nearest me. Appleby was the name of my rival, and Iquite agreed with her father that the tete-a-tetes afforded by on ocean voy- age would surely put m end to the hopes which had so long and secretly cherished.
 'Does she know he is going2 Did she encourage him?" stammered. But the old man answered, generally: "Ol she knows; but cannot say any thing positive about her having encour- aged him. Tho fact Is, Dick, she still holds soft place in her heart for you, and if you were going to be of the party"
 "Well?'
 "I think you would come off con- queror yet."'g
 "Then will be of the party" cried. ''It Is only six now and can be in New York by seven. That gives me five hours before midnight; time enough in 'ghich to arrange my plans, see Richter and make everything ready for sailing in the morning."
 "Diclx, you are Q trump" exclaimed the gratified father. "You have n spirit like, and if Dora does not like it too, then am mistaken in her good sense. But can you leave your patients?" "Just now have but one patient who is in anything like critical condition" |" I replied, 'and her case Richter under stands almost as well as I do myself. will have to see her this evening, of course, and explain, but there Is time for that if go now. The steamer sails \ at nine?'
 "Precisely."
 "Do not tell Dora that expect to be | there; let her be surprised. Dear girl she is quite well, hope?" "Yes, very well; only going over | with her aunt to do some shopping. A \ poor outlook for a struggling physician, | you think. Well, I don't know about
 that; she is just the kind of girl to go from ono extreme to another. If she
 once loves you she will not care any
 longer about Paris fashions"
 "She shall love me-" cried, and left
 him in n great hurry to catch the first
 train for Hobolxcn.
 It seemed wild, this scheme, but de termined to pursue it. I loved Dora too much to lose her, and if three weeks absence would procure me the happi- ness of my life, why should I hesitate to avail myself of the proffered oppor- tunityP I rode on air, as the express had taken shot from station to station, and by the time I had arrived at Chris topher street ferry my plans were all laid and my time disposed of till mid night.
 It was therefore with no laggard step that hurried to my office, nor was 1t with any ordinary feelings of impa- tience that found Richter out, for this was not his usual hour for absent ing himself, and had much to tell him and many advices to give. It was my
 first ball, and was fuming over 1t,
 when saw what looked like package of books lying on the table before me. and though it was address d to my partner I was about to take it up, when
 heard my name uttered in n tremulous tone, and turning saw q man standing in the doorway, who, the moment I met
 his eye, advanced into the room and