The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-08-01

line of argument"
Winifred followed her brother into
the room set apart for their fencing
encounters and sat down rather dis
piritedly upon the edge of q divan.
"Your defense of your friend is
very loyal, my dear child" was the
grandly patronizing reply, "but It
does not invalidatc in the least what
1 have said. A woman practicing
medicine is as incongruous as man
trimming hats. Feminine hands were
never meant for surgical operations"
"You are prejudiced, Vance," said
Winifred, as she listlessly took the
foil her brother offered her; you
didn't get n 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, VIM" he
asked with an evenness of tone his
sister suspected.
81 don't care what you say to me-"
Winifred retorted 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
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 a 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.
"lt's a tiresome subject, Win. Let's
drop it, We always quarrel"
And with n smile meant to be con-
CllldlOIN ' dutt thrust lace
into his sisters lap.
But Winifred was in no 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
!y 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 Millcent could arrange TO be one
of Oakland's frolicsome set.
Winifred watched her brother make
a number of passes in silence. Then
she returned to the attack.
"Milicent has noticed your ungen-
tlemanly attitude" pursued Wini-
fred, in tone of injured dignity.
''TIas she complained to you?"
His sister shot him an indignant
glance, was about to retort hotly,
changed her mind and maintained
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-
curedly, whats the use of losing
your temper over this-er-young
woman? She"
roommate at college, Vance. She has
sacrificed her life to her little sister,
and she is the dearest girl in che
world"
Winifreds words poured forth with
the vehemence of an incipient vol
cano.
Vance made a lunge at an unseen
enemy, following it with such rapid
movements that Winifred changed
her position involuntarily. Her mo-
mentary trepidation turned to one Of
fierce Indignation as Vance, between
his rapid movements, jerked out:
81 -tolerate--women doctors.
They never-know their business
lack courage-and impose upon hui
man credulity."
Winifred bounded from her posi-
ton, her cheeks afiame, her eyes dan
cling like some living light She
opened her mouth to speak, but ere
one word could issue the expression
upon her brothers face caused her
to turn toward the hanging draperies
in the door to their right. For a
moment a great calm seemed to rest
upon her.
In the front of these curtains stood
a tall girl whose striking character
istics seemed to be her clear eyes
limpid as fresh pools of water in the
early spring, and her crown of nut
fn