A Romance in Real Life.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIII, Issue VII, 13 August 1904, Page 59

A Romance in Real Life.

HEIRESS AND DOCTOR BROUGHT TO GETHER BY A CRIPPLE.

Ln his charming little story, “ vV anted, a JUatcn-maker,'" Paul Leicester Ecru teUs how a fashionable New Yorn society lady, young and handsome, tell in love with and married the doctor at the hospital where she had taaen a ragged newsboy, who had been run over by ner

carriage. Now there comes from New York an account of an actual happening on much the same lines. Quite recently the engagement was announced there 01 Dr. Russell A. Hibbs, surgeon-in-eharge of the Orthopedic Hospital, and Miss Madeline Cutting, the handsome daughter of the wealthy Colonel Walter Cutting, of Pittsfield.

The story of their coming together is as romantic as anything ever oenceived by novelist or playwright. Althougn one of the idols of New York society, Miss Cutting preferred working among the sick and crippled of Pittsfield to the gay round of social festivities.

While visiting the House of Mercy about two years ago, Miss Cutting's attention was drawn to little George Hesse, a cripple with hip disease. This mite of a boy, the son of a poor German widow, with crutches by his side, a pale, pinched face and big sorrowful eyes, was destined to play the part of Cupid in her career, although she never dreamt of it at the time.

There was little hope for him, the local doctors said. They were about to perform an operation, which they were afraid would prove fatal. Miss Cutting begged them to put it off until she had consulted a New York specialist. She was advised to visit the Orthopedic Hospital, and thither she wended her way. To Dr. Russell A. Hibbs she explained the whole case. He was a Southerner, and his sense of chivalry was touched by the imperious eagerness of the beautiful woman, who appealed to him to run up to Pittsfield to see the little cripple. It was against hospital rules. But he made an exception, and went. She returned to Pittsfield. Dr. Hibbs followed the next day.

It took only a few moments’ examination for the skilful surgeon to tell that the treatment of the boy’s case, and the proposed operation, were wrong.

“ft will kill him,” he said. “The only chance is for the child to be put under treatment at our hospital in New York.”

Early the next morning, just after daylight, the little cripple was bundled up, taken into a carriage with Dr. Hibbs and Miss Cutting, and borne away to New York.

So wrapped up in her little charge was Madeline Cutting that she became his nurse. Dr. Hibbs explained to her the whole treatment. She even insisted on being allowed to put on and remove the bandages, and dress the foul abscesses. It was something that many a trained nurse would have revolted at. But Ma-

dehue Lulling went through every detail ui it daily without uiuuiiiug. Quite uncouseiousiy aiiss Luiuug came to tmuK oi Dr. 11l mis as someone mure man a co-worKer lor cuarny. one saw in uim a mau wuo even outdid uersen m ms uevotiou to tue poor aud helpless. Lu being wild turn iroui day to day, ia throwing uer wuoie soul into tue word tnat ne was doing, me worn tuat he <.OO loved nest, she found the greatest happiness in her hie. So tue two wonted fiard and planned together, with never a declaration of love, but with a deep and silently growing affection. they lormed a sort oi tacit partnership to help poor aud crippled cuiluren. When one case was benefited, others followed, and as the children improved tuey returned to Pittsfield, and others Look their place. And thus the work of charity went on, whilst week by A'eek the ravages of Lupid were telling their tale on the neart of doctor and lady alike.

Then came the formal announcement of their engagement, and with it a shoes to the ultra-lasnionabie New Yorsers, who had pictured for Miss Cutting a wealthy husband. Dr. Hibbs is 38, tall, and well built.

A few days after the announcement of the engagement Dr. Hibbs arrived at Pittsfield with a new brace for little George Hesse. Next day the doctor and his fiancee drove over to the small tenement in which the cripple lived, and whilst he adjusted the brace, Madeline Cutting dressed the little fellow’s abscesses, just as she had done in the hospital at New York. The wedding is to take place towards the end of the year. It will be at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, in Pittsfield, and the little edifice will not be able to hold the army of friends and the poor who will crowd it to shower benedictions on the bride, whom they look upon as little less than an angel.