The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-11-20

W
A dainty note was dispatched to DR..
marriott. Countess Ida desired his pres
ence on Thursday evening from till 10.
The great moment came at last, when
the old family butler threw back the por-
tiers and announced Dr. Christian Marriott
The assembled guests seemed to know
that a phenomenon stood in their midst
A tall, serious man in irreproachable at
tire bowed correctly and without show of
embarrassment before the count, who intro
duced him to his daughter and the dow
ager.
Again the doctor bowed and saluted the
young countess He tried to speak, but
his voice failed him, and when he re-
gained his composure he could only stam
mer and proceed in broken syllables.
Ida watched him with interest. The
wholesome red of the country boy had
gone out of his countenance. His features
were large as of yore, but a well trimmed
beard practically covered them. The stub
born brow of the idealist was more than
ever visible. AT the temples the hair had
turned gray His hands were well groomed
and showed the skill of the manicure.
"A mana brave, true man, thought.
Countess Ida, and was happy in the an
ticipation of obtaining 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 silver
all on your account, and myself procured
the fowe@o at the last moment, she
whispered as he conducted her to the din
ing room.
He drew out the chair for her, and as
she sat down his eyes rested again on the
soft, silken tendrils that nestled coyly
against the firm white flesh of her neck.
Every one was eager to know something
of the learned man. He was the assistant
of one of the foremost surgeons in Vienna.
Several treatises by him had appeared in
medical journals, said those who were
we'll acquainted with his name.
While the guests talked of the new
light that had suddenly appeared on the
social horizon, Dr. Marriott gave Countess
Ida a brief outline of his career. The
family friend to whom he had been sent
had interested himself in the lad from the
start He had helped him to obtain val
liable instruction, and when, two years
later, he left his home to 90 to college his
benefactor had literally supplied him with
money He { Marriott was deeply indebt-
ed to him.
''He lived to see the day when l was
admitted to the university, he said.
"Then my struggles began. But of these
| will tell you later -
Countess Ida 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 pur-
pie mists through the softly curtained win
dows The light of the dying day played
coyly over the closely written pages of a
letter in Ida lap.
Christian marriott had revealed to her the
handspring of his career. 1t was not in
nate love fo4science, not thirst for learn
ing and boolsore, not ambition to throw
off the menial' yoke and become ruler
among men, that had urged him forward
TO success and elevation. 1t was the love
of woman, love that came into the untutored
heart and fancy free brain of the country
boy the first day he stood behind the chail
of the countess. And now he craved his
reward The lonely man implored her tC
share his fate.
Tears flowed from the girl 5 eyes. Hel
lips trembled with excitement The pages
dropped from her fingers and her eyes
wandered out into the twilight mists
The Duke d Ugelli rode by and saluted.
She loved that man. He, too, had asked
her to become his wife.
Countess Ida sought her father in his
study and confessed her love for The
aristocrat and her deep respect for the pie
beian scientist. She deputed her father
to carry to the latter her refusal of hi
honest and honorable suit.
Christian Marriott said not word
Shortly afterward he went to Africa in Tho
interest of science and at the head of {
scientific commission.
Countess Lida Minsterhaven, after all
was not married to the Duke d Ugelli
Although she was a countess, her paten
of nobility was not formidable enough TO
the old duke and the young dukes broth
ers.
Several years afterward the countess
now 30 and still handsome, married pie
beian physician, who had returned from
Africa after rendering science an extreme
ly valuable service.
1t was happy union, for the aristo
cratic lady had learned to love the erst
while groom, who for love of her had mast
cred the world