Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-07-10

hasn't named, l 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 dor"
1t was useless to protest, so l let him
run on, which he did for half an hour.
When he had gone, poured out my graft
tude in letter to my benefactress, &C.
cepting the conditions, known and I'M
known.
also wrote to Nell. The same post
brought Inc 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 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 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 namo 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 read it with amazement-hor-
ror! Here 1t is: m
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.. Killers 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 a woman I 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
lastly maintained that only crazy wom-
an would have lent money to stranger
Oh such terms.
caught an express to Worcester, whence
| 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 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.
"I can't, and won't'' cried. ~ love
you-you, Nell, and you know 1T! It's too
absurd! The woman is lunatic"
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 choking voice.
"but others did. 1 am very ungrateful to
expect it perhaps Still l didn't expect
such cold counsel from you, Nell. I should
have asked you long since to be engaged to
mo but for that COMPOUNDED first condi-
ton
"Pray do not forget that you are pledg-
ed to another" she rejoined.
"I'm not pledged" shouted, land If
am I'll break thousand words before I'll
marry any one but you! The whole thing
is ridiculousl How is it that you can't see
| itY'
II 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 don't care q straw for meP' 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 wrote brief
note to the effect that 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
know was convinced that death by drown
ing or by any of the more or less pleasant
ways with which I, as q 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 corridor and ushered in
to the presence of-Nell!
$50 you have Gomez she said quite
chcerfully. II hardly expected you"
"YouP' cried. "You expected me
How Is it you are hereP"
She smiled.
''Andrew, didn't you know that my
name was Ellen Marston Herbert?'
"Great heaven! Then it is you-you''-
"That you are pledged to marry"
| "But, Nell" said five minutes after
ward, II don't understand. How did you
know the advertisement was from me?'
She took an envelope from her pocket
I