Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-09-15
TRAPPING A BURGLAR.
BY w. K. DowIE.

By w. Ia. OONlE.
srm afraid 1 shall have. to give it
up, Nellie" and the speaker sighed
the last, and Pm no longer young
man."
Nellie West. the doctors only child.
crossed the room to the armchair IN
which her father had thrown him
self, and, placing her cool hands on
his forehead said:
''Well, / have an idea, daddy, that
might meet the circumstances. Why
don't you advertise for some one to
take charge of the practice while you
take a three months holiday? Rest
and change of scene would soon set
you up again"
'tAnd you would enjoy the conti-
mental scamper, eh. dear?" replied
the doctor with a smile.
'-Oh, no. 1t would be nonsense
for me to go. A man is so much
freer, and can get on so much better
by himself. Besides" What Nellie
Vests additional reason was for re-
fusing to take part in the proposed
trip did not transpire, for she hur-
riedly checked her speech, and turned
to pour out the doctors tea,
For much more than a dozen years
DR.. West had practiced in the stray
Cling parish of Bewley-Stratton; and
during that time his daily rounds had
extended, and the calls upon his skill
had increased by leaps and bounds.
He was making money rapidly, and
hoped in the course of few years to
retire from the profession. For this
reason he had abstained from taking
a partner, while he had all the cOun-
try doctors objections to the services
of strange assistant, who, fresh
from the hospitals, would be anxious
to try all sorts of ''new-fangled" eX-
periments. But of late the work had
been too heavy for his strength; and,
after duly considering Nellie's propo-
Sition, he determined to adopt it. An
advertisement was inserted, several
replies were received, inquiries were
made into the standing, etc, of the
applicants, and choice was made of
a certain Charles St. John, who
seemed perfectly suitable for the posi-
tion of locum tenens during the doc
tors absence. Mr.. St. John sent a
testimonial from a Brighton medical
man with WHOM, he wrote, he had
lived for six months after leaving
Guys. Dr. West wrote to Brighton.
and received a short but satisfactory
reply; and barely a fortnight had
elapsed from the date of the CONVEX
satiOn recorded above ere Charles st.
John made his appearance at Bewley-
StrattOn.
He arrived late in the evening, and
after a nOndescript meal-which was
tea and supper in One-retlred to his
room, pleading fatigue after his jour
ney. Nellie West had seemed strange
ly agitated that day; and when the
newcomer had said goodnight, she
crept up to her fathers chair, and,
Nesting on the hearthrug at his feet,
said in q low tOne,-
81 don't like him bit, dad.'
'You don't, dearie?"
''Not a bit. He looks crafty, de
ceitful; you know I can always read
faces; and I'm sure"
Il know you fancy you can do so, 81
laughed her father; ''but this is non
sense. I'm sure st. John might please
any woman, as far as appearances are
concerned. 1 only hope my lady pa
tients won't be fascinated with him
and persuade him to set up in opposi-
tiOn to me-"
''You know there is no fear of that,
dear" answered Nellie, fOndly; ''my
dad is too much liked-tOo much re-
spected-fOr any stranger to injure
him in this place. But, dad, wanted
to ask YOU" and the speaker paused.
"Well, ask away, dear. What is
'EYou haven't heard anything Of
of Fred lately, have you?"
The doctor rose quickly from his
chair.
81 thought I had requested you
never to mention that scoundrel's
name again?" and the usually calm
voice rang in the tone Of suppressed
anger.
ST know-I know" and there was
the sound of tears in the girls voice.
'sBut are we never to forgive those
who injure us? How can we hope II
be forgiven If
'sYou have nothing to forgive, re
member, " said the doctor in the same
harsh voice. II was the one injured
and it is not your place, Nellie, t.
preach to your father. GOODNIGHT
DEAR" and though his kiss was as FOND
as ever, there was something in the
speakers voice which told the weep
ing girl that the subject must b'
dropped.