Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-07-01
Romance Of a Carved Desk
[origiaal.1

[Origi,all
When Franklin Deane, Just out Of
the medical college. applied for the po-
sition of house surgeon to ST. Luke's
hospital there were twenty other appli-
cants. most OF whom were as well
qualified for 1t as he. But Deane was
longer headed than his competitors.
The examining committee was com
posed Of elderly doctors to whom mod
ern ideas and methods were either I'm
known or unappreciated. This fact
Deane seized upon and, concealing his
knowledge of the new, told all lie knew
of the old The result was that when
the decision was announced Franklin
Deane's name led all the rest.
Such man was sure to be relied
upon by the ladies composing the
board Of managers. Deane had been
house surgeon at the hospital a year
when the managing director came to
him and said:
Florence Miller. | believe. you have
reported cured. We managers have
taken 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-ive years old has asked
us to recommend wife. He is a plain
been. but he would make her a good
husband. We have tried to persuade
her to accept him. but have failed. I'm
Outstanding your ability to put matters
In their best nd truest light. we desire
that you will talk to her with view
to persuading her to do what we all
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 month
longer since she still needed attention
patient was permitted to remain.
After DR.. Deane's interview with
Florence Miller he attended a sale of
household effects of Enoch Gordon.
He had a special reason for doing so.
He wished to buy certain piece OF
furniture. He waited half a day. when
the auctioneer put up an antique desk.
DR.. Deane. who had fancy for old
furniture, saw at once that 1t was not
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 at the hospital and said to her:
II attended the sale and bought the
desk. As soon as got 1t to my rooms
l made thorough search. pressing ev-
cry square inch Of Its surface. especial
ly the carving. am sorry to report
that II there Is secret drawer In it
l can't find it."
II regret that you have had so much
trouble" replied the girl. "You have
destroyed my only hope. but you have
done all you can do. and beg Of you
to take no more thought Of me-"
II must take more thought Of you.
| have agreed with you that it was
better that you should decline the
farmers proposition. l feel it incum-
bent on me to provide you with sup
port or husband, which is the same
thing. The only husband l have to
offer is myself. Will you marry me"
A slight flush came to the girls pale
cheek. Had your offer been in
form usual to lovers l might have con-
sidered it. AS it is, cannot"
DR.. Deane sat looking out Of a Win
dow thinking. and when he looked up
the girl was gone.
That evening he sat before the
carved desk He had been told by
Miss Miller that her father and her
mothers brother, Enoch Gordon, had
died within few days of each other;
that the day before her uncle's death
he had sent for her and told her that
he had made will in her favor revok-
ing a former one bequeathing his prop
erty to his sister, from whom he wish
ed the act concealed till after his
death. The new will was In the carved
desk. 1t was not there unless in a
secret drawer.
Deane sat looking at the desk for an
hour. Then something suddenly pop
ped into his mind. These secret draw
ers in old desks were often made of
steel. He went out. bought a pocket
compass and, returning began to pass
it over the desk. In certain place in
the carving he noticed that the needle
was detected. Taking up pointed
instrument, he prodded the carving
about this place. Suddenly out sprang
steel drawer 1t contained but one
paper, will. Deane read it eagerly.
1t recited that since the testator's be-
loved sister was getting old and would
not need his property long he willed it
to his niece, Florence Miller. with the
injunction that she was to provide
for the said sisters maintenance.