The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1897-12-03

Surprised by this information. the
count decided to help the young man
along. He recommended him to a
friend, who took a lively interest in
human curiosities. With the latter
Christian took service and devoted his
evenings to earnest and laborious
studies.
Countess Lida cried little when the
new groom bade them farewell.
"When you are a doctor, Christian,
come back again. she said enthusiasts
tically.
Christian held the rosy. soft hand a
moment in his own clumsy, Lard
worked palm.
Yes, countess, | will, he stammer-
ed and blushed like a schoolboy of 10.
Soon after Christian and his exist
ence were forgotten in the house Of
Count Minsterhavcn
* x K x
The Countess Lida had been for sew
eral years belle at court and in the
aristOcratic circles in which she moved.
Then those Younger than she took her
place, though she was still 4 eel, hrated
beauty She had refused several good
offers of marriage, and her acquaint-
ances regarded her as rather ecentric
on that account
One morning when she returned from
Il ride with her father and the Duke
d'Ugelli she found on the reception table
in the anteroom card.
"Dr. Christian Marriott it read.
The young girl was surprised. DIR.
ly recollecting, Papa, our former
groom she cried, passing the card to
her father. I'VE must invite him to
our reception"
A dainty note was dispatched to DR..
Marriott. Countess Ida desired his
presence on Thursday evening from 8
till 10.
The great moment came a. last,
when the old family butler threw back
the portiers and announced DR.. Chris
tian Marriott.
The assembled guests seemed to
know that phenomenon stood in their
midst. 4 tall, serious man in ire
proachable attire bowed correctly and
without show of embarrassment before
the count. who introduced him to his
daughter and the dowager.
Again the doctor bowed and saluted
the young countess. He tried to speak,
but his voice failed him, and when he
regainel his composure he could only
stammer and proceed in broken Sylla-
bles
Li,la watched him with interest.
The wholesome red of the country hoy
had gone out of his countenance. His
features were large as of yore, but 4
well trimmed beard practically covered
them. The stubborn brow OF the ideal
ist was more than ever visible. At the
temples the hair had turned gray.
His hands were we'll groomed and
showed the skill of the manicure.
"A mana brave, true man.
thought Countess Ida, and was ia. y
in the anticipation of obtaining a
glimpse of his strange life and career.
The society belle devoted the best
part of the evening to the newcomer.
She was tender and benign in her effort
to show her esteem.
"Old Marriott has put on the best sill
yer all Oh your account, and | myself
procured tho flowers ut the last mo-
ment,' she whispered rs he conducted
her to the dining room.
He drew out the chair for her, and
as she sat down his eyes rested again
on the soft, silken tendris that nestled
coyly against the firm white flesh of
her neck.
Every one was eager to know some
thing of the learned man. He was the
assistant of one of the foremost sur
geons of Vienna. Several treatises
by him had appeared in medical jour
nails" said those who were well ac
quainted with his name.
While the guests talked of the new
light that had suddenly appeared on
the social horizon, DIR. Marriott gave
Countess Lida Il brief outline of his
career. The family friend to whom he
had been sent had interested himselfin
the lad from the start. He bad helped
him to obtain valuable instruction, and
when, two years later, he left his home
to go to college his benefartor had llb-
orally supplied him with money. He
(Marlot was deeply indebted to him.
''Hc lived to see the day when was
admitted to the university he said.
"Then my struggles began. But of
these | will tell YOU later.
Countess Lida sat at the window of
her pretty boudoir. The hyacinths in
their porcelain pots We'd with the tints
of the evening glow that filtered in
violet and purple mists through the
softly curtained windows The light
of the dying day played coyly over the
closely written pages of Il letter in
Lida's lap.
Christian Marriott had revealed to her
tho maiuSprinU of his farpcr If waS