Arthur was longing to be with Marian, but at the urgent request of the elder Mr. Croly and his wife, consented to stay with their son, who had been carried to his uncle’s cottage, through the rest of that day and the following night.
Then assuring them that Will had almost entirely recovered and there was no longer the slightest need of his services, he was beginning to bid them good-morning when Mr. Croly, laying a detaining hand on his arm, poured out earnest thanks for the service he had done them in saving the life of their only and well-beloved son, and delicately asked what was his charge for his services, hinting that both he and his wife thought it should be a heavy one.
“Oh, no, sir,” said Arthur, “I make no charge whatever for so trifling a service to one whom I had learned to love almost as a brother. I am more than repaid by his spared life—the blessing of God upon my efforts,” and with a pleasant good-morning he hurried away.
He met the family at the breakfast table and was received with joyful greetings. An hour later he and Marian sought the beach together. It seemed a long time that they had been kept apart, and they greatly enjoyed being again alone together for a time.
When the mail was brought to the house Walter, as usual, came running down to them with their share—one letter for Marian and several for the doctor.
Glancing at his he noticed that one was without a postmark, and somewhat curious to know whence it came, he opened that envelope first. It proved to be from the elder Mr. Croly, and contained a note and another paper. Arthur opened and read the note first. In it the writer stated that he felt that he owed a debt of gratitude for the spared life of his only and well-beloved child which he could never by any possibility repay, and that the doctor who had been instrumental in saving that life would confer a favor by accepting the inclosed certificate of stock as a small token of the grateful affection of Will Croly’s parents and of the dear boy himself, who would be delighted to have him do so, and feel that it was far from being an adequate return for the inestimable service rendered. The writer added that they would all feel sadly hurt should he refuse. All this Arthur read with a pleasant glow of feeling. “They are far more grateful than most people,” he said to himself as he opened the accompanying paper.
“Can I believe my eyes?” he exclaimed mentally as he hastily glanced over it, then gave it a more careful examination.
The certificate was for stock to the amount of one hundred thousand dollars yielding six per cent; there could be no mistake, and he felt that he had suddenly become a rich man.
But at that instant a low sob from Marian caught his ear, and instantly everything was forgotten but that she was in trouble.