The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-09
THE ADVERTISERS
 DAILY SHORT STORY

tss nse ana and Humiliation to be near Ethel a1l
 One day After an exhiIaratfng ride with Ethel. Incident to which there had been Sonsiderable talk pf books and studies, Donald warmed by the companionship and exalted by his own thoughts, fingered st the doorsteps after helping Ethel down. and poured out his hopes and aspirations his dreams of an academic education and . career as surgeon. Then he would return, he said, and lay his repu-
 ana ns moafy tis atrsaan at hsE aess him with curling lips and blazing eyes.
 You!' she exclaimed scornfully, you, indeed. You forget that you are my groom. How dare you speak of such things to me. Your foolish head has been spoiled with too much kindness and too many books. Surgeon, indeed-a veteri- nary, maybe" And she laughed merriiy at her little joke.
 .! will tell papa of your impotence. and M he does not discharge you I will see to 1t that you do not ride with me any more. would have you know, sir, that l am to marry a gentleman. This impu- dence comes of treating servants like hu-
 She swept into the house, leaving Don- aid standing, stunned, beside the horses. Her little aid, Jennie Gray, who had come Svo1se tS meet her mistress and Ina had been an speech. saw the pain and humiliation which came into Donaid's eyes. and before going into the house went to him, and laid her hand on his arm.
 T am sorry for you, Donald" she said, her eyes wet with sympathy. But you must not mind. Be a great surgeon, any way"
 He shook her off roughly and turned away, but an instant later sprang to her side.
 Forgive me-" he said q do not know what | am doing. Thank you for your kind words. l will always remember hAvvx I I ~~-stl t.z geon."
 He sprang on his horse and went clat- tering to the stable.
 And he did become a great surgeon. struggles and seif-denial, his logged per. sistency as he slowly climbed the ladder. He worked his way through school and college and medical school. and then went to a distinguished surgeon and begged to become his hostler for his board and the privilege to study with him. He was refused, and tried again and again, until one finally saw the light in his eyes and took him in Then there were more years of toll by day and study by night. And ough mastery of everything which came under his observation, made the distin- guished surgeon his friend and Donald became his assistant instead of his host Ter. Never betraying trust or failing in a task. he was trusted more and more, and some grave operations were given him to do. In these he showed marvellous skill. and soon began to be talked abPut. Then his preceptor and patron dropped dead one day. and Donald became his nat tira1 successor. And he was called to at tend a very high official stricken nigh un- to death, and they sent half across the continent for Dr. Donald Durand, the famous young surgeon, as the most trust worthy. to perform the delicate operation required. And the newspapers rang with praises of his skill, and he was courted by the rich and great and money flowed Into his pockets.
 In the meantime Ethel wayler's life had not been all as she had dreamed it. A financial crash had carried off most of her fathers fortune, and her life had been far from the luxury into which she had been born. The knight of her maiden dreams had not eventuated. and she was becoming discouraged-and old. When she read of the greatness of pr. Donald Durand and how he had fought his way from poverty single-handed and alone, the scene at the door of her fathers mansion came to, her, and she realized the mistake of her girlhood, and 1t came to pass that she met the Doctor at social function. and being a clever woman. told him in a plain, straightforward manner that she was sorry she had failed to appreciate him and his ambition and desired to crave his pardon. aAii this with much 7coyness and dowpcast eyes. j. -..-.,-... ..f.-. ., --
 "It was" as welt, perhaps" replied the Doctor. '"The sting of your words gave edge to my resolution. as keen. perhaps. as would have been the hope of winning you. Besides, it gave me an insight into two characters-yours and that of an- other, whose worth I did not know, but learned on that day--Jennie Gray. you remember Jennie Gray. do you not2'' -~
 Why, that was my maid"
 And is to be my wife, he rejoined gravely. ''She consented only yester- day."
 The woman sat long time looking out in the cold moonlight. Then she said slowly:
 T congratulate you-and her.
 q thank you,'' he retoined. Then he went away.