Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-12-01
PAID IN FULL.



"Prctty well fixed. old man. chr" said
Jack Winters, my college classmate and
chum, who had come to make a house
warming for me. "AlI you need to com
plete your happiness Is to get acquainted
with the pretty widow on the floor above
you. She is John Redmond's cousin, you
know, and sweeter little woman new
~
"Thank you" / said. checking jacks
enthusiasm. Jack always goes of on
tangent when pretty woman is dis
cussed Il am trying to get patients and
have no time for social pleasures. and
besides. | don't mind saying IT, Jack, I'm
not fond of widows
"All have to say TO that Is said
Jack, you don't know Mrs Traine."
However. my professional duties were
not so arinous that | did not find time
10 notice a trim little figure that fitted
in and out through the big entrance door,
dressed always exquisitely, but quietly.
A daiDtier little rosebud Of a woman ii
would have been hard TO find. Soft,
brown hair. tossed in truant curls about
the low forehead, voice that spoke al
ways gently, blue eyes full Of mirth and
complexion that looked like 1t had been
bathcd in the morning dew.
Once or twice | had held the big door
open for her to pass out and bowed in
response to the low THANK YOU" Early
after my coming to the building boy on
the top floor had been accommodating
enough TO get hurt in the elevator, and
had been called in as the most available
physician. Luckily | brought the boy
through SO well that his parents, as well
as the youngster himself, sounded my
praises SO loudly that | found myself
with quite reputation and incidentally
practice in the neighborhood. Still had
not met Mrs. Traine, and | was begin
ming wickedly to hope some accident
ever so slight one, of course-might
happen to her--a sprained ankle or wrist
that | might have the joy Of caring for.
However. the fates preserved Mrs.
Traine from accident, and | continued to
watch for gimpses of her from my office
| window.
| ! had bowed the last patient out for
the evening aud settled myself for a
smoke before bedtime. My meditations,
mingling with the blue curling smoke.
were interrupted by a piercing scream,
and then another. | rushed into the hall
The screams came from the Traine apart
ment above. In another moment ! was
knocking on the door, which was opened
by Mrs. Trane herself, white and breath
less. "Oh,' she gasped, catching hold of
my arm, we've got him-out therein
the pantry--poor mamma
''WhoY | asked
'"The burglar. lie was hid in the din
ing room mamma saw him, and he ran
into the pantry, and | locked the door
and-he's trying to jump out of the win
dow"
| heard noise as of some one trying
to push up a window, and, opening the
pantry door. there he was, a sure enough
burglar, evil browed and sullen, who
dropped the window and turned to face
me.
You can't make jump from that win
dow, my man." | said. "You had better
be quiet"
/ turned the lock again, but Mrs.
Traine, diyining my purpose, chung to my
arm.
Don't GO" she said frantically. 1--WE
can't stay here alone a minute Then to
my relief that same small boy, who had
served me so well professionally. appear
ed on the threshold, attracted by the
cries. Off he went to call the police,
while ! tried to quiet two hysterical wo-
men.
In a few minutes the burglar was
handcuffed and led away. but the shock
had proved too much for Mrs. frames
invalid mother. The fainting spell was
followed by delirium. and her daughter
and | watched by her bedside until morn
ing.
OF course | was installed as attending
physician and never failed to call morn
ing and evening. When the patient was
able TO sit up, | sometimes read aloud to
her as an excuse to remain longer watch
ing the daughter at some household task.
One evening | staid for tea. Mrs
Traine wore dainty gown of white and
blue with a great deal of lace. There is
no sight so welcome to a bachelor as
pretty woman at the head of tea table.
The next morning | pictured the pretty
widow sitting opposite me at my break
fast table wearing the pretty house jack
ct | had seen on my morning calls.
That afternoon | took Mrs. Traine and
her mo"hnr for a drive and was reward
81 her invitation to tea.
u taSun for such close attention 70
my patient was no longer apparent.
was hunting about in my mind for an
other excuse to prolong my delightful
calls when Mrs. Traine knocked at my
door one evening.
81 have come to see you on business"
she said, taking the seat | offered her.
"You have been very kind to mother,
she went on. "Of course we want to pay
you for your trouble. Would you mind
telling me. please, how much the amount
ISL"
saw the anxious look growing deeper
In the sweet face opposite me. How
much denial and privation paying a doc
tors bill meant to that little woman, al
ready burdened with responsibility!
at must be large bill" she said at
last as | remained silent, watching her
"You--you have made so many calls"
yes il is large bin" said slowly.
There was a quick uplifting of the blue
eyes 81 hope" she said softly, that
you won't mind il we don't pay it quite
all at once. If | can arrange to pay you
4. a. q l..