The Meeker herald., 1908-08-01
Romance Of a Carved Desk
Ioriginal.l


the medical college, applied for the po-
sition of house surgeon to st. Lukes
hospitnl there were twenty other nppli-
onnis most of whom were us well
qualified for it as he. But Deane was
longer headed than his competitors.
Tiit> examining committee was COM
rnseG of elderly doctors to whom mod
rrl i,lras and methods We're either I'M
tnown or nnnppreciatcd. This fact
Uealc seized upon and. concealing his
lrpw lclEe of the new, told all he knew
a t.lc cid. The result was that when
,lr decision was announced Franklin
Dpule'a name led all the rest
such a man was sure to be relied
i-rDa Itv the ladies composing the
board of managers. Deane had been
hDuse surgeon at the hospital IL year
whom the managing director came to
BIN and said:
FLORENCE Miller, 1 believe, you have
r.nnYtpt cured. We managers have
zen 4 special interest in her because
qle nroi.c down after her fathers fail
ure dnl death and has to go from here
inIa the world a pauper. A farmer OF
pcslH fgry-Gyc years old has asked
a 10 recommend n wife. He is plain
ia.f rot brought up as Florence has
OOH. hut he would make her good
b,sband. We have tried to persuade
hor 10 accept him, but have failed. I'm
,arstnnding your ability to put matters
~ tbeir best and truest light. we desire
4lt yeu will talk 10 her with view
Ia, parsuading her to do what we all
thnk best Tor her"
Til, result OF the interview between
lsennc ana Florence Miller was only
pariinlly given to the board Of man.
.y--prs. They were told that the doctors
eaorl had been a failure. He suggest
e6 t.1at they keep Florence month
longer since she still needed attention
she must do without II she left. The
patient was permitted to remain.
rter DR.. Dcane's interview with
Florence Miller he attended sale of
bousehuld effects of Enoch Gordon.
III had a special reason for doing so.
He wished to buy n certain piece OF
fl.rniture He waited half a day. when
the auctioneer put up an antique desk.
DR.. peane, who had fancy for old
only. Old. but an artistic bit OF work.
rhc carving alone, done by hand, must
has', required some years to effect.
There were several persons present
.g,1o appreciated the article, and the
DFfdfng was spirited. But Deane was
80 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:
II attended the sale and bought the
iicsks Ks soon rs got 1t to my rooms
/ made Il thorough search, pressing ev-
cry SQUARE inch of its surface, especial
ly the carving. am sorry to report
that iif there, is a secret drawer In 1t
-Leln,t ind it."
II regret that you have had 80 much
trouble" replied the girl. "You have
Destroyed my only hope, but you have
done. all you can do, and beg Of you
10 tahe no more thought Of me-"
II must take more thought Of you.
/ hive agreed with you that it was
neiter that you should decline the
farmers proposition. i feel 1t incum-
bent on me TO provide you with sup
port or husband, which is the same
fitin2 The only husband l have to
olfur.is myself. Will you marry me"
y slight flush came to the girls pale
cheek Had your offer been in
Form usual TO lovers 1 might have con-
sidcred it. As it is, cannot"
DrS Deane sat looking out of win
dow thinking, and when he looked up
the girl was gone.
Il,at evening he sat before the
carved desk. He had been told by
Mis-. Miller that her father and her
mnllnr's brother, Enoch Gordon, had
dled'wlhin a few days of each other;
rl4E5ths day before her uncle's death
.ic had aeut for her and told her that
1- lad made :, Will in her favor revok-
ine 4 former one bcqueathing his prop
prfy 20 his sister, from whom he wish
ID tbe act concealed till after his
death. The new will was In the carved
Gcsiz IL was not there unless In
secret drawer,
Ue1ne sat looking 1T the desk for an
loIr. I'hcn something suddenly pop
pe1 iuio his mind These secret draw
e'= IN Old desks were often made OF
at.lt Ike Went out, bought pocket
compass aud, returning, began to pass
r. oyer TIC tlessi. In certain place In
tar curyinG he noticed that the needle
VAS DETECTED. Taking up pointed
Instrument. he proddcd the carving
atpui this place. Suddenly out sprang
stnal drawer. 1t contained but one
pager, a Will. Deanc read it eagerly.
n rccited that since the testator's be-
loved sistlr was getting old and would
gat need his property long he willed 1t
To Ne niece, Florence Miller. with the
ipJruation that she was to provide
flr Inc slii sisters maintenance.
Deanr hurried away to the hospital.
MY proposition of matrimony," he
.nid. was unnecessary. All such offers