idence as the starting point in his career. So
they had loved and hoped on only to be crushed at last.

The day after her final rejection of his suit, the post brought a note
that ran thus:

"Doris, good-bye; not for a day, or a week, but as long as may
require to perfect my plans. I have spent a sleepless night, and this
is my conclusion. There is one way out of this. Maddening as is your
decision, I am forced to yield. But I shall not give you up without
a struggle. I have determined to study the human eye as a specialty.
The savings I had meant to devote to our united lives shall go to this
end. If I do not write often and in lover-like fashion, it will be
because I must be firm in my undertaking. When I have mastered the
science, I hope to come back to you with healing in my hand for the
mother for whose infirmities you sacrifice me. Do not think me bitter;
I am trying to be kind. In any case, be my probation long or short,
I shall be

"Ever yours,

"WARNER DOUGLAS."

Long Doris wept heart-breaking tears over this letter. Had she decided
aright? She mused far into the night, and at last her tired spirit found
comfort in the hope that her lover might one day unlock the prison doors
of both her mother and herself. Next day and for many days she went
about her duties mechanically, but her blind mother missed nothing, knew
nothing. Wearisome vigils were those! Not for a moment could she trust
her charge alone. With the perverseness of age she would try to grope
her way about, and more than once had she wandered into danger. Besides
this active, bodily vigilance, there were papers and books to read to
her, and the post-office was fairly haunted by fruitless messages for
tidings of the wandering boy. "How long, O Lord, how long?" was the
burden of the mother's heart, and upon Doris fell the hopeless task
of comforting.

Two years dragged their slow lengths. Time and sorrow made little change
in Doris Hadyn. The fair, round cheeks had lost none of their bloom, for
duty well performed brings its own reward. She was the moving spirit in
all good works, and several of her young friends had gradually come to
share her time in amusing and interesting her invalid mother.

Her lover's departure, leaving his patients to a brother physician, had
been a nine-days' wonder, but now all were rejoicing in his success at
the city hospitals. Several wonderful operations had made a great noise,
and he