The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-07-11

have to attend her free of charge. What
would be the use of mentioning It before
fou are able to practice--before she knows
what you can dop''
II was useless to protest, so let him
run on, which he did for half an hour.
When he had gone, poured out my grati-
sude In letter TO my benefactress, no
,epting the conditions, known and un-
Enown.
/ also wrote TO Nell. The same post
Drought me letter from each
Miss Marston wrote very briefly. She
,hould watch my career with great inter-
Bt, she said, and some day she would send
me her address, so that 1 might call upon
her. Nell congratulated me warmly, but
did not allude to the conditions.
The next two years were the happiest
tad 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 l know, she
kept all my would be rivals at distance.
OF my benefactress 1 heard nothing
whatever, nor did Paul, but 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 IN. d., ;" free to practice, re-
ceived communication from her-brief,
as usual. 1 read 1t with amazement-hor-
rorl Here II Isl
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. It 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 diplomat Mar
riage with woman l had never seen,
whose age did not know
But cooled down when its absurdity
became apparent Miss Mars on was mad,
of course. Some of my friends had stead
fastly maintained that only q crazy wom-
an would have lent money to stranger
on such terms.
caught an express to Worcester whence
1 drove to Woodbury., the village where
was born, and Nell's home.
shall never forget our interview. Nell
listened to my story and read the torn let
ter attentively. How hated those point.
ed characters nowl
/ "You must keep your word, Andrew" I"
she said in cold, matter OF fact tone that
reused my anger and indignation to boil
ing point
"I can't, and won't" cried "I love
| yOu-lOu 4Ntl'1 yOu hhON lOl ~ wv
absurd The woman Is lunaticp'
"Hush," she interrupted, "you didn't
say that when she lent you, a stranger, the
money which has made you what you are. "
"True," / answered in n choking voice,
"but others did. am very ungrateful to
expect 1t perhaps. Still didn't expect
such cold counsel from you, Nell. l should
have asked you long since to be engaged to
me but for that confounded first condi-
ton"
"Pray do not forget that you are pledg-
ed to another" she rejoined
"I'm not pledged" shouted, land IL
am I'll break thousand words before I'll
marry any one but you'll The whole thing
Is ridiculousl How is it that you can't see
it9" Iw
II suppose" she answered slowly and
gravely, lit is because have been brought
up to consider my pledged word sacred.
Perhaps If you were to see Miss Marstor
and explain she might let you off. If she
will do SO freely then 1 might listen to
you"
"You don't care straw for mei' 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 1 wrote brief
note to the effect that l 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.
I can scarcely explain my feelings, but l
know was convinced that death by drown
ing or by any of the more or less pleasant
ways with which /, as medical man, was
acquainted. would be far more preferable
than marriage with my ancient benefac-
tress.
In this mood was conducted up a broad
staircase, along corridor and ushered in
to the presence of-Nell!
$50 you have comep' she said quite
cheerfully. 81 hardly expected you.'
"Youp' I cried. "You expected mel
How is it you are herep"
She smiled.
"Andrew, didn't you know that my
name was Ellen Marston HerbertP"
"Great heavenl Then it is you--you"-
"That you are pledged to marry"
"But, Nell" said five minutes after
ward, IT don't understand. How did you
know the advertisement was from mep"
She took an envelope from her pocket,
and from that piece of blotting paper.
There was a mirror over the fireplace, and
she held the blotting paper so that could
read the words it bore. saw Paul Blake's 8
effusion-the advertisement itself
81 came to town." she explained, "to
offer you assistance, which feared your
pride would not let you accept. While
waiting in your rooms i took up your blot
ting pad. 1 dare say you will think me
very inqulsitiye, but, having read SO much,
could not resist the temptation to try
and decipher the rest. BY the help of your
mirror did it. Next day looked through
the morning papers, and you know what
followed"
We were married three months after
ward. Paul Blake was my "best man."
Those Canals on Mars.