The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1902-05-24
THE DOCTORS ROOM.

marry.
Herbert, my brother, had written
that it would be impossible for him
to meet me at the station and that |
must take cab and drive to Kings
Court Mansions.
"When arrived at Kings Court,
walked bravely up the stairs with
my travelling bag, the cabman follow
ing with my trunk. The length of
the stairs took my breath away and
also deprived me of all power of cal
culation, and in my ignorance l was
unaware that the entreso1 does not
count.
Therefore, when 1 arrived at the
landing where door was standing
open and an old manservant just re-
plying to an inquiry that the doctor
would not be in until 2 0 clock, con-
cluded that I had reached my jour
ney's end, for my brother also re-
joices in the the title of doctor, though
his degree is in music.
"To old Colonel James astonish-
ment walked in, saying: The doc
tor expects me. Please have my
luggage taken to my room. 1 am
his sister,
"With that he admitted me, mutt
tering, Never heard of sister, into
the smoky, dusty apartments I as
sumed to be my brothers. bachelor
quarters.
"To distract my thoughts 1 picked
up magazine, opening it where a
letter had been placed to serve as
mark. My eyes fell on the first
words, and my attention was riveted
in moment.
"Now comes the disgraceful part
of my confession. could mot refrain
from reading the letter. 1t was sign
ed, Your old friend, Ned Harwood.'
''Dear OldMan SO you have de-
cided to install that dreadful little
thing in your house, though you ac-
knowledge yourself that all the peace
and comfort of your1ife will be gone.
Do be advised and give up the idea
of such folly. At any rate, don't be
surprised if cut your acquaintance
for the present and leave you to soli-
tary enjoyment so long as Dolly forms
part of your establishment. Luckily
l am off tomorrow, and by the time
I come back you will have found out
your mistake and sent Miss Dolly
back where she came from.
"Your old friend,
''NED HARDWOOD"
"My dear lady," cried Harwood,
"you don't mean to say that any mis-
understanding arose out of that?"
81 dc mean to say so" she replied,
laughing. ''It was quite possible 1
should assume those words referred
to me, and you cannot be surprised
that at first was highly indignant
and then began to weep.
"My resolution was soon formed.
l would go at once. 1 would not
even see the heartless brother who
had discussed me with his friends in
such manner 1 quickly repacked
my travelling bag. While doing so
1 came upon photograph of myself,
which had been taken as nemento
for the friends I was leaving.
A sudden thought made me write
a few words upon it and lay it on
the table where the flowers and lun-
cheon still remained. Then I put on
my hat and mantle and was just 60
ing to open the door when I heard a
latchkey inserted in the other side.
1t was Herbert, 1 thought. He
should not find me there, and, seeing
the door of small room, open, slip
ped in and closed it behind me.
Nov let me tell the rest" inter
rupted DR.. Trenton, "for 1 was the
principal actor. 1 fancied I was
dreaming as I became aware of the
invitingly spread table. Then l saw
two covers laid as if for a delightful
tete-a-tete and upon my dinner nap
kin a photo of the sweetest face had
ever seen. Look-that's the picture.
1 have not given it up since. And
listen what was on it:
Gas 1 am so ugly that 1 destroy
your peace and drive away your
friend, 1 leave you and shall find a
home elsewhere.
81 puzzled over it i'll vain, for your
letter never entered my thoughts. /
could reach only one conclusion =
that the original Of this captivating
picture had been here and that l had
missed her.
'James thought l was mad. At
last l extracted the facts from him,
at least so far as he knew, for he did
not know where my sister had dis
appeared to. I caught up my hat in
the hope of discovering some trace OF
her. We were both on the threshold
when l heard a faint cry. / opened
the storeroom door, and Dorothy, in
tears, fell into my arms. s."
eff 1 had not been frightened to
death in that dark room," said Dolly,
when that horrible monkey jumped
on my back 1 would have stayed there
for hours rather than call for help.
lust think, Mr.. Harwood, your
special aversion, Miss Dolly, had al
ready disturbed Jacks peace to such
a degree as to be banished to the
dark storeroom. No sooner had /
entered it than the mischievous pet
jumped on my back and would not
move till Jack came to the rescue.
eyes, l was obliged to restore my
household fairy to Herbert, who had
been waiting anxiously for her since
o'clock. However, l did not let
him enjoy her company long, tor
soon she had to descend to the third
floor fiat again and preside over my
breakfast, luncheons and dinners. +"
Ned Harwood was obliged to admit
that, all unconsciously, he had proved
very useful matchmaker.