The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1900-04-19

handsome Young doctor III littie
town like this is an event not to be
overlooked. Henceforth I am an
invalid"
"Kate. let you and me become
nurses" suggested Nettie Sanborn.
"Helen, I'll dare you to go home,
make believe sick, tie up your head
aud send for the doctor. 1t will be
rare fun" ventured Kate Upton.
"There isn't a soul at the house, so
the coast is clear. I'll do 1T, il you'll
go with me-
Agreed" responded both girls;
1--WE had no intention OF being left
out"
They were too intent on their fun
to notice the ro3uisL twinkle i'll the
boys eyes, and he did not consider it
necessary to inform them that the
gentleman under consideration was
sitting in the druggists private Office,
hearing every word.
The doctor was wondering whether
he ought to be angry or enter into the
spirit of the joke.
"I'll go" he decided as the messen-
ger summoned him to Judge Clark's
residence.
Helen was on tho sofa among q pile
Of pillows and made O charming in
valid in spite of the wet bandage on
her forehead. Her two friends were
full of sympathy.
"5uch fearful headache, doctor; I
am almost wild; can't you do some
thing for it?" aud the blue eyes turned
to him pleadingly.
Every we'll DONE" was the young
mans mental comment.
He gravely felt her pulse, took her
| temperature aud looked at her tongue.
Your pulse is regular; your tenn
perature is normal" he observed,
slowly.
"Helen, dear, didn't you say you
had palpitation Of the heart this morn
ing, just dreadfully?" inquired Kate.
This was too much for Nettie; with
a smothered laugh she turned to the
window.
Helen did not answer, but sank back
on the pillows, closing her eyes.
The doctor leaned forward and
| plaCCu Cal oFoE hcI ucdlt. uc
blood rushed to her face; she felt like
o culprit and was tempted to confess
and beg his pardon. But that would
never dc. He would despise her tor
such bold trick.
The physician looked thoughtful for
o moment.
"What will he say? Oh, wish he
would CO." sighed Helen to herself.
''I understand your case, Miss
Clark" he explained; sit is nothing
serious-you will outgrow these at
tacks. will leave q remedy which
will relieve your headache in a few
hours"
He opened his case aud began pre-
pairing some powders in very pro-
fessional way, but slyly watching the
girls all the time.
There" as he finished the last
powder, stake these every half hour
they are harmless. You are suffering
from an acute attack of what the
French call 'mechancete. ," and he
bowed himself out.
'Mechancete, quick, girls. get the
French dictionary and see what this
terrible malady is that I may outgrow
Do you suppose he is stupid enough
to think I am very ill?'
81 believe he saw through it, ]
never felt so mean in all my life," de-
clared Nettie, as she ran her forefnge,
into the mech" column. "Here il
is. Oh, girls" and her face was scar
lot Hiu at read fhatt''
"Give it to me-" cried Helen
'Mechancete, roguish trick, naught
iness," she read.
"He will probably ten this" SAID
Nettie, "and before night this esca
pade will be all over the town"
"T'll never speak to him again." ex
claimed Helen. "Mechancete, indeed
| He's as mean as he can be-"
IT don't blame him one bit," pro
tested Kate. est shows his spirit"
The following day Helen met til,
doctor on the street.
''I trust Miss Clark has recovered,
he inquired, smilingly.
Perfectly, sir" was the Taught,
reply.
The winter, with it's gayeties, passed
and everywhere Helen ignored him
Once he tried to defend himself, blu
she would not listen.
eff you were agentleman you woult
not refer to the humiliating circun,
stances" was her reply, "and I will
never forgive you."
"Helen, think you treat DR.. Hop
kins shamefully," said Nettie. Z"
used to think he was in love with you
his eyes followed you about and ha,
such panied look when you snubbe,
him."
'Nonsensel If he wants to max
a. idiot of himself am not to blame.
"He won't bore you any more, m
sweet friend" assured Kate, ''for b
is to take Madge Stone to the law
| party tonight. Aren't you ashame
to leave him to the mercy of tha
freckled little thing, after he save
your life with his sugar powders?
and Kate laughed merrily.
All the town was at the lawn party
it was an annual affair given for til
= benefit of the public library and SC
ciety attended in its best. Helen wa
not her usual merry self. She sat
. leafy corner of the arbor away fro,
, the crowd. Why did it annoy he
|. that DR.. Hopkins should be attentiy
4 to Madge? Why was she unhappy
. She would not allow herself to thin
!. of him. Had she not said again an
!: again that she hated him?
). "Miss Helen," said voice, whic
she knew we'll and whose tones sci
y the color to her cheeks, ''you loo
: lonely"
II am not. I prefer solitude, som'
! times, ut present, for instance"
He sat down beside her.
pardon me il intrude; but I il