Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-06-20
DAILY SHORT STORY
cAPITULATION.

TENT
As the maid Withdrew Hollander
glanced about the room. Everywhere
We're medical books and technical mag
azines. A grinniug skull and yell
lowed femUr TepOsed on the mantel-
piece and on neigbbOring table was
a sealed jar containing d human brain.
HolIander grunted his disgust. He was
loath 10 associate Cecilia Allen with
these things The idea of women i'll
ysding the professions. especially such
women As Cecilia, was extremely dis
tasteful Ia his mind. He rose and,
crossing the room. stood before
framed diploma, reading its Latin
phrases, which announced with all the
pondeTous dignity of steel engraving
and crinkIed parchment that Cecilia
Madison A lieu was a full fiedged NJ. ID.
Standing thus, with his back TO the
door. he did not see Cecilia enter the
room
Good afternoon" she said in her
best professional manner.
HollaudeT turned.
Hello. Cecilia" he said, with cheer
full informally.
''Oh, it's only YOU she said.
WELL he said in challenge. cant |
Haven't | as much right as the next
man TO summon medical aidE'
Cecilia regarded him doubtfully.
Did You really come for medical adj
vice." she asked.
Il really did" he asserted gravely.
Cant sleep. Worry all the lime.
Lost my good nature and feel broken
up generally
Indigestion" she declared. Aren't
you smoking too much:"
Your diagnosis is all wrong" said
be The trouble is with my heart
Indeed" she said, frOwning slightly.
Even So" Le affirmed. And, what
is more it's bad case"
CcCclias frown deCpened.
You'd better consult specialist"
she advised.
You're the only one who would un-
derstand the case he said. DO you
suppose | want to go to specialist
and tell him I'm troubled with an OBJ
stinate case Of unrcquited Affection
tnuI > II, sic Sdiu NetIitN.
Yes, that's it," he returned. Il
know of only two methods of treat
ment- matrimony or cold poison"
Il don't approve Of either" she said.
II don't fancy the cold poison my
self he admitted.
You didn't come here to propose
again. did you?' she asked coldly.
Il came here to ask you honestly If
you're satisfied with this sort of thing;
il you really and truly are making a
success of it," said he.
Cecilia glared at him.
You're very brave" she said sar-
dOnically.
Il know it," said he, but with all
my nonsense I'm in earnest for once.
/ want to be sure, above all things.
that you are happy and contented. II
your profession il more than anything
else in the world to you, I want TO
make the biggest kind of a success of
II. That is why / came" he ended
quietly.
Cecilia toycd with n paperweight,
but said nothing.
eve waited patiently and hoped i'm
patiently" he went on, but now I'm
| becoming convinced you really mean
what you say about your lIfewOrk. l
want 10 satisfy myself today that
| you're thoroughly sincere. and if you
are ! wont trouble you further. I'll
take myself off and NOPE II out alone
MY profession means very much TO
| me" she unused thOughtfully
More than anything else in the
| world - hta ask cd eagerly
More than than almost anything
I else" she said
More than anythinG?'' he persisted.
| Does il mean more than home such
a home as 1 can give your"
At that iuncture the bell tangled and
the maid tapped on the door
| Some one To see you, DIR. Allen" she
said
| Cecilia excused herself and took her
| caller into the little office at the rear OF
the consultation room. After a time
she came back Her face was red, and
her professional repOse seemed some
| what disturbed.
Cure him so soon?" HOlIander
laughed.
| Hes incurable." she said shortly.
| whats his ailmentY" Hollander in
| quired.
Chronic cupidity." said she 1T was
| the rent collector"
| Hollander turned 10 her quickly
| Look here, Cecilia he said, you
| don't mean
| She nodded miserably.
I've had Just one patient-and that
q charity patient since I've been here, &"
she confessed. I'm strapped broke
insolvent." she ended tTagicslly
| rs the profession worth all this strug-
| gle?" said Hollander
NO" she said botiy, lit isn't. I'm
tired Of il all. and. Ted, want that
hOme-if I'm not too late in applying"
Hollander caught her in his arms.
III give yOu a life job curing that
heart trouble" he declared jubiIantly.
CASPER JOHNSON.