The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-04-19

s'That settles it," said the third
girl, Helen Clark. "The advent of
handsome young doctor in little
town like this is an event not to be
overlooked. Henceforth l am al
invalid.
''Kate, let you and me become
nurses" suggested Nettie Sanborn.
'sHelen, I'll dare you to go home.
make believe sick, tie up your head
and send for the doctor. It will be
rare fuu," venturel Kate Upton.
There isn't soul at the house, so
the coast is clear. I'll do it, if you'll
90 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 roguish twinkle in the
boys eyes, and he did not consider 1t
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'u 60" he decided as the messen-
ger summoned him to Judge Clark's
residence
Helen was on the sofa among pile
of pillows and made charming in
valid in spite of the wet bandaGe on
her forehead. Her two friends were
full of sympathy.
"Such fearful headache, doctor; [
am almost wild; can't you do some
thing for it?" and the blue eyes turned
to hun pleading!y.
Very we'll done" was the young
mans mental comment.
He gravely felt her pulse, took her
temperature and 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 Nettle; with
. 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
placed his ear over her heart. The
blood rushed to her face; she felt like
a 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
moment.
"What will he say? Oh, 1 wish he
would CO." sighed Helen to herself.
81 understand your case, Miss
Clark" he explained; "it is nothing
serious-you will outgrow these at
tacks. will leave remedy which
will relieve your headache in few
hours"
He opened his case and began pre-
pairing some powders in a very pro-
fessional way, but slyly watching the
girls all the time.
"There," as he finished the last
powder, "take 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.
'Mechaucete, quick, girls, get the
French dictionary and see what this
terrible malady is that may outgrow
Do YOU suppose he is stupid enough
to think am very ill?'
sI believe he saw through it.
never felt so mean in all my life, de-
clared Nettie, as she ran her forefnger
into the Mech" column. 'Here it
is. Oh, girls, and her face was scar
let; 'just read that!'
"Give it to me-" cried Helen.
'Mechancete, roguish trick, naught'
iness," she read.
"He will probably tell this" said
Nettie, "and before night this esca'
pado will be all over the town"
.I'll never speak to him again" ex'
claimed Helen. "Mechancete, indeed!
He's "a mean as he can be-"
II don't blame him one blt," pro
} tested Kate. 'It shows his spirit"
The following day Helen met the
doctor on the street.
Il trust Miss Clark has recovered,
he inquired, smilingly.
Perfectly, sir" was the naughty
teply.
The winter, with its gayeties, passed
and everywhere Helen ignored him
Once he tried to defend himself, bu'
l. - would not listen