The Portland daily press., 1895-06-12

would rather not name until Mr.. Hitler has
obtained his diploma.
"It can't-it can't be true, Paulp'
stammered.
For answer he produced another letter,
an intimation from the bank that So, 600
was at my disposal. That convinced me.
l believe wept for joy. 1 know that 1
hugged Paul, danced around the room and
otherwise acted like an idiot. Paul brought
me back to sobriety by asking if 1 objected
to the conditions.
The first is rather AWKWARD I said.
"There's Nell, you know?"
But 1 don't know" he rejoined. "You
have never mentioned her till now"
1 told him of my hopes. Ellen Herbert
was the dearest girl in the world and the
prettiest, and 1 had loved her since my
Bchooldays. We were not engaged, but
knew that she believed in me, and trust
ed that she would wait until I was in a
position to ask her to be my wife.
"You must write to her, )" said Paul.
"and tell her all about your luck. She'll
understand when you mention the condi-
tions. Miss Marston is a wise woman. If
you married while a student, you might
never be able to repay her.
"And, as for the condition which she
hasn't named, can see through that.
When you have got your diploma, you'll
have to attend her free of charge. What
would be the use of mentioning it before
you are able to practice-before she knows
what you can do?''
1t was useless to protest, so let him
run on, which he did for half an hour.
When he had gone, L poured out my graft
tude in a letter to my benefactress, ac-
cepting the conditions, known and un-
known.
I also wrote to Nell. The same post
brought me letter from each
Miss Marston wrote very briefly She
should watch my career with great inter.
est, she said, and some day she would send
me her address, so that I might call upon
her. Nell congratulated me warmly, but
did not allude to the conditions.
The next two years were the happiest !
had ever known, save in one respect.
did not see half as much of Nell as should
have liked. But she remained just the
same dear girl, and, so far as I know, she
kept all my would be rivals at distance.
Of my benefactress I heard nothing
whatever, nor did Paul, but a terrible
shock awaited me.
Two days after my name was entered In
the books of the general council of medical
education, etc., which means that was
registered "M. D., )" free to practice, I re.
ceived communication from her-brief,
as usual. I read it with amazement-hor.
ror! Here it is:
Miss Marston is very pleased to learn that
Mr.. Andrew Hitler has obtained his diploma
She thinks the time has come to name the
condition of her assistance. 1t is marriage.
On receipt of Mr.. Hillier's reply Miss Marston
will arrange for an interview.
In my rage tore the letter across. This,
then, was the price of my diploma! Mar.
riage with woman T had never seen,
whose age did not know!
But cooled down when its absurdity
became apparent. Miss Marston was mad,
of course. Some of my friends had stead.
fastly maintained that only crazy WON.
an would have lent money to stranger
on such terms.
I caught an express to Worcester, whence
I drove to Woodbury., the village where ]
was born, and Nell's home.
I shall never forget our interview. Nell
listened to my story and read the torn let
ter attentively. How hated those point
ed characters now!
"You must keep your word, Andrew"
she said in cold, matter of fact tone that
reused my anger and Indignation to boil.
ing point.
81 can't, and won't!' I cried. CT love
you-you, Nell, and you know it'll It's too
absurd! The woman is lunaticr'
"Hush," she interrupted, "you didn't
say that when she lent you, stranger, the
money which has made you what you are"
True" answered in a choking voice.
'but others did. I am very ungrateful to
expect it perhaps. Still 1 didn't expect
such cold counsel from you, Nell. should
have asked you long since to be engaged to
me but for that confounded first condi.
tion'
"Pray do not forget that you are pledg
ed to another" she rejoined.
"I'm not pledged, - shouted, "and if /
am I'll break tho1sand words before I'll
marry any one but you! The whole thing
is ridiculous! How is it that you can't see
it?'
IT suppose" she answered slowly and
gravely, 1T is because have been brought
up to consider my pledged word sacred
Perhaps If you were to see Miss Marston
and explain she might let you off. If she
will do SO freely, then might listen to
you.''
You dom care a straw for mel" burst
out. "You never have cared for me. I'll
go and interview the old crone''
She laughed. At that moment hated
her. With her laughter ringing in my ears
rushed from the house.
On my return to town l wrote brief
note to the effect that 1 would be pleased
to meet Miss Marston at any place she
might appoint. Three days passed before
received her answer, but my disgust had
not lessened.
can scarcely explain my feelings, but /
know was convinced that death by drown
ing or by any of the more or less pleasant
ways with which I, as medical man, was
acquainted, would be far more preferable
than marriage with my ancient benefac-
tress.
In this mood was conducted up broad
staircase, along a corridor and ushered In
to the presence of-Nelll
$50 you have Gomez" she said quite
cheerfully. ~ hardly expected you.''
"Youp' I cried "You expected mel
How is it you are here2'