The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-05-26
Romance Of a Carved Desk



sitIon Of house surgeon to st. Luke's
hospital there were twenty other appli-
cants, most Of whom were as well
qualified for II as he. But Deane was
longer hended than his competitors.
The examining committee was com
posed of elderly doctors to whom mod
ern ideas and methods were either un.
known or unappreciated. This fact
Deane seized upon and, concealing his
knowledge Of the new, told oil he knew
Of the old The result was that when
the decision was announced Franklin
Deane's name led all the rest.
Such a man was sure to be relied
upon by the ladies composing the
board Of managers. Deane had been
house surgeon at the hospital year
when the managing director came to
him and said:
Florence Miller, I believe. you have
reported cured. We managers have
taken a special interest In her because
she broke down after her fathers fail
ure and death and has to go from here
into the world pauper. A farmer Of
means forty-fve years old has asked
| us to recommend wife. He Is plain
man, not brought up as Florence has
| been, but he would make her n good
husband. We have tried to persuade
her to accept him, but have failed. Un-
derstanding your ability to put matters
in their best and truest light. we desire
that you will talk to her with view
to persuadlng her to do what we oil
think best for her."
The result OF the interview between
Deane and Florence Miller was only
partially given to the board Of man
ayers. They were told that the doctors
effort had been failure. He suggest
ed that they keep Florence a month
longer since she still needed attention
she must do without II she left. The
patient was permitted to remain.
After DR.. Deane's interview with
Florence Miller he attended sale OF
household effects of Enoch Gordon
He had n special reason for doing so
He wished to buy certain piece OF
furniture. He waited half day. when
the nuctioneer put up an antique desk
Or. Deane. who had fancy for old
furniture, saw Mt once that 1t was no,
only old, but an artistic bit of work
The carving alone. done by hand. must
have required some years to effect
There were several persons present
who appreciated the article, and the
bidding was spirited. But Deane was
so persistent that the others finally
dropped out. and he secured the desk
A few days later he saw Florence
Miller Mt the hospital and said to her
l'T attended the sale and bought tht
desk. AS soon ns got It to my rooms
/ made thorough search. pressing ev
!, cry square inch OF Its surface. especial
ly the carving. nm sorry to repor
I can't find It,"
~ regret that you have had so mucf
trouble" replied the girl. You have
destroyed my only hope. but you hav,
done all you can do. and beg of 20,
to take no more thought of me-"
II must take more thought of you
have agreed with you that 1t wa'
better that you should decline tn,
farmers proposition. | feel II incum
+, bent on me to provide you with sup
port or husband. which is the sam,
thing Tho only husband ! have Il
offer is myself. VIII you marry me?'
A slight flush came to the girls pal,
cheek. Had your offer been in {
form usual to lovers l might have con
Hldered It. AS II is. cannot"
DR., Deane sat looking out of win
low thinking. and when he looked ~
the girl was gone.
That evening he sat before tn,
Miss Miller that her father and he
mothers brother. Enoch Gordon, hat
died within few days of each other
: that the day before her uncle's dealt
he had sent for her and told her tina
he had made will In her favor revok
ing former one bequeathlng his prop
erty to bis sister. from whom he wish
ed the act concealed till after hi
death. The new will was In the carve,
desk. 1t was not there unless In
secret drawer.
Deane sat looking at the desk for al
hour. Then sopething suddenly pop
ped into his mind. These secret draw
ers In old desks were often made o
steel. He went out. bought poke
compass and. returning. began to pas
II over the desk. In certain place Il
the carving he noticed that the needl
was DETECTED. Taking up pointc'
instrument he prodded the carvin
about this place. Suddenly out sprar
a steel drawer. 1t contained but on
paper. wiz Deane read 1t eagerly
II recited that since the testator's be
loved sister was getting old and woul
not need his property long he willed
TO his niece. Florence Miller. with tn
Injunction that she was TO provid
for the said sisters maintenance
Deane hurried away to the hospital.
my proposition Of matrimony." h
said, was Unnecessary All such offer
In your case are unnecessary. You ar
your uncle's heir" He handed her tn
will.
Miss Miller took II and ran her ey
over 1t. On her face was one OF thos
smiles which betoken the receipt q
some especial blessing.
"Dr. Deapn," she said. "you bav