Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1901-08-02
By Oliver Beatrice Muir.
"DUT you don't know Millicent at

Nv
1or you to continue this same old
line of argument"
Winifred followed her brother into
the room set apart for their fencing
encounters and sat down rather dis
pirltedly upon the edge of divan.
Your defense of your friend is
very loyal, my dear child" was the
grandly patronizing reply, "but it
does not invalidate in the least what
l have said. A woman practicing
medicine is as incongruous as a man
trimming hats. Feminine hands were
never meant for surgical operations"
You are prejudiced, Vance," said
Wlnifred, as she listlessly took the
foil her brother offered her; "you
didn't get a diploma, and believe
you're mad at all creation to think
that Millicent succeeded where you
failed"
A wave OF crimson receded from
Vance Bishops face, leaving it quite
pale.
"Must narrowness of vision be add
ed to your shortcomings, Win?" he
asked, with an evenness of tone his
sister suspected.
u don't care what you say to me-"
Winifred retortcd; "you've tried to
sit on me, more or less, all your
life. But it's different with Milli-
cent. She has been here four weeks
now, and you are just as stubborn
and rude as when she came. And
though it has been hard work. with
that little cripple sister of hers to
support, the kindness of others in a
measure helps her to forget the
rough parts of her daily routine. But
with it all she has seen your dislike
OF her, your pointed avoidance, your
persistent snubs. / only hope she
doesn't know the reason. / would
rather have her think it was your
aversion to her as woman rather
than your dislike of her beloved pro-
fession.'
'As women practice it," said Vance,
imperturbably.
Science, as well as art, is seXless,"
was Winifred's rejoinder, with an air
of superiority.
TITS tiresome subject. Win. Let's
drop it. We always quarrel"
And with smile meant to be con-
ciliatory Vance thrust face guard
into his sisters lap.
But Winifred was in ne mood for
such summary treatment. This dis
cussion of Millicent was her hobby
horse, and the little animal, once
trotted out for riding, pranced grand
ly at Winifred's slightest spur. Just
now Winifred was inclined to curvet
and execute possibly pas seul, so ir-
ritable had she become through the
persistent coldness her brother had
evidenced toward her dearest friend.
1t was very tiresome, for the cir
cumstance made matters somewhat
awkward whenever an evening gath
ering of young folks was in order
and Millicent could arrange to be one
of Oakland's froicsome set.
Winifred watched her brother make
a number of passes in silence. Then
she returned to the attack.
"Millicent has noticed your migen-
tlemanly attitude" pursued Wini-
fred, in tone of injured dignity.
"Has she complained to you?"
His sister shot him an indignant
glance. was about to retort hotly,
changed her mind and maintained a
severe silence.
"For if she has" continued Vance,
with unmistakable emphasis, "she
further proves she is no doctor Ply
sicians don't talk much, Win. You
know that"
"Then it's a good thing you failed
to get your diploma" returned his
sister, sharply.
"see here,' said Vance, good-na-
turedly. whats the use of losing
your temper over this-er-young
woman? She"
"She is my friend. She was my
roommate at college, Vance. She has
sacrificed her life to her little sister,
and she is the dearest girl in the
world"
Win;fred's words poured forth with
the yehemence of an incipient vol
cano.
Vance made lunge at an unseen
enemy, following it with such rapid
movements that Winifrcd changed
her position involuntarily. Her mo-
mentary trepidation turned to one of
Acrce Indignation as Vance, between
his rapid movements, jerked out;
81 -tolerate-women doctors
They neyer-know their business
lack courage-and impose upon hr-
man credulity.'
w;n;fred bounded from her posi-
lion. her cheeks ahamc, her eyes dan
c;ng like some living light She
ananed her mouth to speak, but ere
one word could issue the expression
,nor her brothers face caused her
ta +rrn toward the hanging draperies
IN the door to their right for
moment great calm seemed to resi-
upon her. ..,.a s.ood
All girl whose striking character
.s.;os seemed to be her clear eyes
ljmpid as fresh pools Of water in th'
narlv spring, and her crown OF nut
hrown hair arranged coronal fashlol
mon a very womanly head.
r was Millicent, and Winifret
..,,ac,ed TO stifle the gasp whicl
had risen in her throat.
u mt Millicent's first words reas
sured her. -, III, IL,