The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1900-02-16
doctor Leigh!'

Miss Dale's was smiling, courteous, ap-
parently happy. With the most pro-
found politencss and most thorough
Indifference she pointed to a seat.
Doctor Leigh was pale and careworn,
almost haggard. For an instant Miss
Dale's heart was filled with joy-but
only for an instant. He had suffered
was suffering. She had not borne
all the sorrow. But this feeling was
short lived. 1t died almost at its birth,
and the next sentiment was one Of such
tender pity that it required all her
self-possession to keep from showing
him that in no respect had she swerved
from her first allegiance; but pride and
principle did it's work, and the most
critical observer would never have
guessed, as Miss Dale sat by her old
lover, that she had ever cared a whit
more for him than any other man in
the room. 1t was evident at once that
Doctor Leigh's visit was not of the
usual New Years type.
81 trust you will excuse me for call
ing to-day" he at last remarked, when
his companion was quite at liberty to
listen.
doctor Leigh will always be wei
come," she replied, as the gentleman
hesitated.
LET us have no common places,
please" he answered. IL have come
on a very sad errand. Pardon me if |
ask you to go with me to another
ROOM"
81 cannot leave my guests, Doctor
Leigh she said, with dignity. "If
your message is important, let me hear
it now We shall not be overheard y
"Then You think you are strong
enough to hear what | have to tell you
in this crowd?"
Il am strong enough for anything"
she replied, looking straight into her
companions eyes.
Every we'll, then. | was summoned
an hour ago to the bedside of your
friend, Hugh Claverick."
''He is ill?r Miss Dale inquired, with
out emotion.
''He is dying!" was the quick re-
sponse. dying, Miss Dale, and he
wants YOU"
Poor Hugh! | feared as much
when l saw him last. l will change
my dress and go at once, if you will
be kind enough to take me there"
As Miss Dale excused herself to her
guest, and made ready to accompany
him, the doctor asked himself over and
over again what this could mean. She
perfect self-possession, which, the doc
tor felt confident, was not the result of
an effort.
When she returned to the paror
they were quite alone. She drew on
her gloves cody, saying as she did So:
"You have not told me anything of
the circumstances, Doctor Leigh. This
last trouble is the result of another i'm
prudence, SUPPOSE
Doctor Leigh could bear this no
longer. He rose suddenly, and with
face from which every particle of color
had fed, said:
For Gods sake, Anna Dale, arc you
playing a part now, or are you not!
Is this indifference assumed, or are YOU
not specially interested in the fate of
Hugh Claverick?'
\ light broke in upon the darkness
at thai moment.
''As true friend, am sorry for
Hugh, and willing and anxious to be
of service to him; and, rs tru, friend,
Dr. Leigh, | certainly feel that this
man life is q miserable mistake, which
can only be rectified there"-pointing
upward with almost angelic grace, the
poor fellow thought, as he silently re-
garde,l her.
Il am quite ready she said, at last,
as her companion did not speak.
Then it was that Doctor Leigh for
got everything but his great hove for
the woman who stood before him, and
buried his head in his hands and wcpt
as only a strong, large-hcartcd man
can weep.
Miss Dale stretched out her arms,
and made a step toward him, but the
thought Of another, of the duty, the
life long allegiance this man bore to
the woman called 10y his name, brought
her to her senses at once, and 50, as
many another good woman has done
I,etore, and will do again, she waited in
silent agony for the storm to pass,
prayin. with her whole soul to he de-
llvcred from temptation.
"llave You no word to say to me,
Anna!' he asked, at last NO word
that will bring me at least little com
fort-one single ray of Light
"Only this, Doctor Leigh" Miss
Dalc's voice was gentle, but as firm as
true womanlless and self-respect could
make it. "Olly this: You must do
your work with firmness, AMI your
duty with principle. Although after
to-day we my never meet again,
want you to remember that my chief
interest in lite will be to know how