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

HASN'T named, con sec through that.
khen you have got your diploma, you'll
haze to attend her free of charge What
would bs the use Of mentioning 1t before
fou are able to practice-before she knows
what you can doS'
1t was useless to protest, 80 I let him
run on, which he did for half an hour.
When he had gone, poured out my grati-
Iude In letter TO my benefactress ac-
tepting the conditions, known and un-
known.
also wrote to Nell. The same post
brought me a letter from each.
Miss Marston wrote very briefly. She
should watch my career with great inter-
vt, she said, and some day she would send
me her address, so that l might call upon
her Nell congratulated me warmly, but
did not allude to the conditions.
The next two years were the happiest
yad ever known, save in one respect.
1id 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 a distance.
OF my benefactress / heard nothing
whatever, nor did Paul, but a terrible
shock awaited me.
Two days after my name was entered In
education, etc.. which means that / was
registered IN. D., free to practice, re-
ceived communication from her-brief,
as usual i read II with amazement--hor-
ror Here II 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. It is marriage.
On receipt Of Mr.. Killers reply Miss Marston
viii arrange for an interview.
In my rage tore the letter across. This,
then, was the price of my diplomat Mar
riage with woman i had never seen,
whose age did not know
But l cooled down when its absurdity
became apparent Miss Mars on was mad,
Of course. Some Of my friends had stead
fastly maintained that only a crazy wom-
an would have lent money to a stranger
on such terms.
/ caught an express to Worcester, whence
drove to Woodbury., the village where 1
was born, and Nell's home.
1 shall never forget our interview. Nell
listened to my story and read the torn let
ter attentively. How hated those point.
ed characters nowi
"You must keep your word Andrew"
she said in cold, matter of fact tone that
reused my anger and Indignation to boil
ing point.
II can't and won'tr' cried. 1T love
you--you, Nell, and you know it'll It's too
absurd The woman is a lunaticP'
"Hush," she interrupted "you didn't
say that when she lent you, stranger, the
money which has made you what you arr"
"True," answered in choking voice,
"but others did. am very ungrateful to
expect 1t perhaps. Still didn't expect
| 4 - o1l ohnt1ld
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 1 shouted, "and II L
am I'll break thousand words before I'll
marry any one but you'll The whole thing
is ridiculousl How is 1t that you can't see
itf"
II suppose" she answered slowly and
grayely, 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. II she
will do SO freely, then / might listen to
} you"
"You don't care straw for mer' burst
out. "You never have cared for me. III
, 60 and interview the old cronel"
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.
, 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 /, as a medical man, was
l acquainted, would be far more preferable
l than marriage with my ancient benefac-
] tress.
o In this mood was conducted up broad
staircase, along corridor and ushered In
Q to the presence of-Nelli
$50 you have come?' she said quite
cheerfuily. IT hardly expected you"
!, "You'' I cried "You expected mel
Q How is it you are hereP''
: SheNsmiled.
r "Andrew, didn't you know that my
o name was Ellen Marston HerbertP"
Q "Great heaveni Then 1t is you-you,,--
d "That you are pledged to marry"
}, "But, Nell," said five minutes after
n ward, "I don't understand. How did yor
l. know the advertisement was from mel"
# She took an envelope from her pocket
and from that piece of blotting paper
d There was mirror over the fireplace, ant
Al she held the blotting paper SO that coult
70 read the words 1t bore. saw Paul Blake'i
u effusion-the advertisement itself
II came to town." she explained, "t'
70 offer you assistance, which L feared you
1t pride would not let you accept. Whil
r waiting in your rooms l took up your blot
10 ting pad. dare say you will think M
very inquisitive, but, having read SO much
t. could not resist the temptation to tr.
W and decipher the rest. BY the help of you
O. mirror did it. Next day looked througl
q !. the morning papers, and you know wha
M followed"
We were married three months after
rs ward. Paul Blake was my "best man."
"A |