The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-04-20

1t was slower now, and Bertha lay
very still, breathing easily.
1T is all right" he said, "a little
weak, that's ALL"
The girl stared. Suddenly she found
her voice.
"Do you mean haven't any heart
diseased" Joy and incredulity were
i'll the tone.
Certainly" he smiled. Then tax
ing a stethoscope from his bag, he
made thorough examination. "rhere
is not the least organic trouble. Did
you think there wasp"
In few minutes the story was told.
An odd smile played about the physi-
clans mouth, but he said only:
81 am glad you sent for me, if
have relieved your fears.
81 didn't send for you"
The two looked wonderingly at eacf
other.
Aren't you Mrs. Taylor?"
"Why, mol Mrs. Taylor has the
room over this"
The young man laughed. 81 thinl
I'll go up and see her," he said. SO
beg your pardon. supposed was
attending the right patient"
'I'm so glad you came" saii
Bertha. "No one knows what have
suffered for the last four days. Please
stay and tell me how 1 can get well.
DIR. Malcolm attended first to Mrs
Taylor. Then he spent another
quarter-hour in the room below, ask
ing questions, arranging medicines,
and giving directions and advice.
Bertha did not refer to his fee
Only thirty cents remained in her
purse. She half hoped, she hal
feared, that he would not come again
He told her that she had overworked
that her nerves were exhausted, ant
that she would probably be obliged t.
keep still for several weeks. There
was no doubt of her being we'll in
time. He babe her eat beefsteak twice
day. He did not inquire into hel
household arrangements. She was
grateful for the omission. When he
went out, he said, 'I'll see you agair
tomorrow, and shut the door.
Bertha's eyes fastened themselves
on the wall paper. The demon hat
been transformed into a cherub.
Miss Winslow brought her slice o.
toast with poached egg for tea. She
had added the egg on her own account
"I didn't know as toast was quite
nourishing enough by itself, even i
you are abed," she said.
Bertha was thankful for the luxury
She did not mention the ordered
steak.
81 don't know but what this little
doctor is good enough, as far as h'
goes, miss Winslow remarked, watch
ing Bertha eat her egg; "but he's
dreadful short and spindling. L al
ways did like big man." She sat fol
a time in dreamy meditation, evident
ly lost in her dead past.
Bertha gazed at her tenderly. Wher
she looked up, SIT was so kind of yor
to bring me this egg," she said; 90
feel better for it already"
The little dressmaker came back to
herself, and resumed:
''Yes, / guess DIR. Malcolm's wei
enough, and You do look brighter; bu
it seems as if such big, splendid maj
as DR.. Halberta ought to k now more
about hearts and things than mite o
feller like him. Though l don't sa,
but that I'm glad if you haven't go
tiff you haven't!" She shook he
head obviously.
Bertha smiled. "Pd rather trus
DIR. Malcolm and his stethoscope thar
DIR. Halberta's eyes"
swell, 1 don't knowl He's awfu
stylish, and he's got pretty convincing
eyes Miss De Peyster says he's
highly connected. But I don't knowl'
DIR. Malcolm did not appear unit
nearly noon. He was glad to find thai
his patient had slept well.
"What did you have for breakfast
he asked.
Bertha blushed. She had not an
ticipated such direct questioning. But
she was honest.
''Toast and coffee"
'Don't you like beefsteakf
eyes"
''Wby didn't you have it?"
She looked into his face. 1t was
grave, but kind.
because | could not afford it. DR.
Halberta carried off most of my
money" she added, smiling. 'I ex
pect more every day" (which waI
strictly true), "but it hasn't come"
"How much did that man charge
you?"
She told him.
He scowled, and muttered some
thing about "quacks" and ''fancy
prices" Then he inquired into hei
mode of living.
"You must have nutritious food. II
is imperative. / think I'd better take
you over to the hospital this after
noon"
"But-how can 1 go?"
'Tn my carriage. 1t is easy"
"I-haven't enough to pay my
board"
est. James Church has established