The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-05-05

an entire lifetime. For o whole week
the white porcelain sign Of a practic.
ing physician had shone in splendor
at the street entrance and upstairs on
the glass door of my neat little fat.
For whole week my small recep-
tion room, with its dark curtains and
its STRAIGHTFORWARD chairs, had waited
for patients to avail themselves of the
advice anN help of CDR. Max Err
hardt."
1t really did not surprise me at all
that my Office was empty for few
days, because, as told myself, con-
solingly, the neighborhood must be-
come familiar with the fact that it had
good medical advice right here in its
midst. After / had sent away my first
patient completely cured; things would
assnredly be different. Then-after
my growing reputation had been an
nounced to the neighborhood, or
better still, to the whole city by q
crowd of patients in Office hours, as
we'll as by q neat little coupe, which O
dignified coachman would drive
through the principal streets then,
yes, then And so / came to the dream
which occupied me most. fancied my.
self again with my cousin Mary, who
certainly would fit the role of doc
tors wife most delightfully."-.
was in love with my little golden
haired cousin. As boy / had shown
her all those little knightly attentions
which are possible from the stronger
playfellow in the house and on the
playground. AS junior I had dedi-
Gated to her my first poem, and as O
senioAk had nearly ruined my uniformed
baritone voice by continually singing
about the "Aaxen. haired maiden. "
When came home, after passing my
FIRST examination, the young medical
student became sure that the "Aaxen.
haired maiden" returned his love with
all her heart; yet not a word was
spoken.
Ny university course was finished.
Whenever l was working unusually
hard or fighting successfully the tire
soma battle of final examination, in
spite of my preoccupation, my dear
Mary's eyes we're constantly in my
thoughts and seemed to be taking the
liveliest interest in the results OF my
efforts. When my little cousin, greet.
ing my Homecoming, whispered softly,
doctor Erhardt," looked deep into
her dear eyes and whispered, just as
softly, "Afrs. Doctor Erhardt." Then
I saw a bright blush pass over her face,
as she drew quickly back into the win
dow niche.
In the following days 1 had oppor
tunity to talk with Mary about all the
air castles which young physician in
his empty Office has abundant time to
build but i did not venture yet to
discuss my droam of the future doc
tors wife. There lay at times in my
sweetheart's blue eyes an expression
which drove the words back oven when
they were trembling on my lips. Not
that doubted in the least that Mary'i
heart belonged uuconditionally to me
no, it seemed rather as if lack oi
confidence in my professional ability
lay in her glance, and my pride in
duced me to keep silent, until a re
port of my first Independent case
shoald call forth Mary's full approba
tion and unlimited confidence in my
chosen vocation.
l sat in my consulting room buried
in such thoughts as these on the after
noon OF this dull November day.
had barely heard the timid ring with
which some one begged admittance.
rose to open the door in place of the
little page whom j had sent on al
errand. During the few steps that
had to take, confess that was over
whelmed by a flood of the wildes
fancies. Here was a caller who needed
my help. OF course, it was an aristo
cratic patient, with ringing praise
and fame, and-ah, there / was again
thinking of the doctors wife.
opened the door. poorly-clat
woman stood before me in the din
light of the late fall day. A pair o
great dark eyes looked beseechingl,
at me from face thin and streake'
with coal dirt.
Doctor" she said, in trembling
voice; "oh, Doctor, be mercitul,
beg you'll My little Mary is so sick.
That name atoned, to some extent
for the disappointment which th
woman's poyerty-stricken appearance
had caused, for it did not harmonic,
with my recent dreams.
"Who are you? Who ses3g you I
me?" asked.