Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-02-16


called. 1 say l called. What number:
/ have it. 1t is ine-two-seven- six
Thank you. thank YOU" He softly
sighed, but not so softly that the quick
ears of the watchful doctor failed tc
catch the sound rs that you, Parker:
Yes, thank you. Anything new that
would interest me? Nothing? That's
all. Goodby.''
He turned to the doctor.
Parker says there is nothing of in
terest."
But the doctor did not heed the re-
mark.
Il imagine" he said. that the sooth-
ing voice hasn't lost it's tonicky effect
No" said Radburn with faint flush
But 1 don't get enough of it to arouse
your professional jealousy
You want TO increase the dose, en-
said the doctor. He looked at Radburn
with quizzieal smile. That might DC
arranged Hemstreet, the Bell manager
is one of my patrons
Don't be foolish, old man., sale the
convalescent.
The doctor laughed as he turned to-
wards the door.
You are doing so WE'LL" he said, that
I won't change the prescription. Siee1
all YOU can and don't fuss. Oh, by the
way, call me up on the phone at
O'Clock this afternoon. may want 10
suggest something. Don't forget Good
by"
Slowly the day wore away. AT noon
v1 n his qDDatlZlnG
luncheon, but the conealescent had Ut
tie or no desire TO eat. and presently iie
dismissed the man with the contents OF
his tray scarcely touched. AT o CLOCK
Paul wheeled his chair to the phohe
and took down the receiver.
What number, please: pronpeis
came to him.
.'The NUMBER" said Paul. "Oh, yes
the number. DO you hear me distinct
ly?"
y hear you very distinctly said the
unseen talker, Tho your voice is moi
strong. Have you been ill.,"
Yes. replied the delighted Paul
Yes, 1 have"
Il am very sorry" said the voice
And YOU are kept within doors y
4 IS.
81 am glad to hear it. hope you Will
recover very fast"
THANK you, thank you.p said Paul
And won't you please tell me to whom
I am indebted for this delightful SYM
pathy?"
The number please.
your name?'
THE NUMBER"
Paul realized that he had gone quite
far enough and gave the doctors num-
Der. The doctor wasn't in.
Good" said Paul, and wheeled away
from the phone with his cheeks glow
ing and his eyes shining.
AT 9 the next morning he was at the
phone again, and to his great delight
his health became the subject of an
other brief conversation. When the
doctor came Paul greeted him with a
smile.
That's better" said DR.. Jim as he
studied his patients appearance. Their
he slightly chuckled. "How's the
soothing syrup voice."
Paul scowled.
NO levity on the subject, If you
please" he said. THAT voice Is doing
me more good than all your rubbishy
"Oho!" cried the doctor. I'll have to
look up the owner. may find that
she's practicing without a diploma. Let
her beware. But come, old fellow,
wouldn't you like to know something
about her? told you Manager Hem
street was one Of my patrons
I'm not quite sure" said Paul i
think I'd rather consider her as All
ideal-at least at present. It's the
voice, you know, it isn't the girl"
Il see," said the doctor. You don't
want to be disenchanted. Quite wise.
Still, I might get snapshot at her If
Hemstreet would point her out"
Certainly not" said Paul hastily.
Then he laughed at his own vehemence.
Besides" he added. ut would be too
easy to deceive me. How would know
the lady OF the picture was the lady OF
the voice."
you might If it were a speaking
likeness laughed the doctor. But
there, I'm off. You are doing nicely.
Gail me up again at 2 o'clock"
Three days later Paul looked up at
The doctor in shamefaced way.
Jim" he said, II guess I'd like to
have you find out something about
that girl. The fact is. we are having
little onversations-very brief and
very formal-twice a day, and-and
they make me hungry for more. 1t
seems awful foolish, but can't tell
how much good that voice does me.
The girl knows I've been sick and
there's SO much gentle pity in her voice
that I actually feel sorry for myself.
Why don't you laugh, Jfm?"
Perhaps I'm deficient in the sense
Of humor," Thornton replied, but
fail to see anything to laugh at. And
now what is it you want me to do?"
Good old JIM" said Paul, put 1t
in your bill. want You to find out
about the girl. Quietly, you
know, and of course without giving any
I'd like to know who she is
and what she is like. It's wei, it's
4 sick mans whim. You know what
that means"
iii do my best to crafty you" said
Dr. Jim, as he passed thru the door
way.
He was ready to report the next
But he met Pauls eager
glance with discouraging nod of the
head.
"Well?" said Paul.
Well" repeated the doctor, II saw
her. won't weary you with the trou-
BILE it cost me, but finally saw her"
and what is she like?"
md what oh 1ilya
STEADY" the doctor cautioned. "1ou
know I'm strictly impartial in my judg-
ment. I'm too good friend to deceive