The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-02-22
THE DOCTO <'sLUCKY CALL
BY EDNA DEAN.

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 pr. Baird was almost asleep. The latest historical novel lay beside him perhaps he had a good excuse. Sud- denly the ofiice door was thrown open "a nasty pattering of feet aroused the Doctor thoroughly.
 70! Doctor. come quick. Billy's got hurtedT
 The Doctor threw himself up as he looked down at her. As many before him had looked on her. A more beau . tiful child than the Doctor beheld gazing up appealingly at him was rarely seen. Where had he seen some one like her? Those eyes were cer- tainly familiar to him, but for the life of him he could not tell where.
 "Ah, how was Billy hurtT' Can you tell me where he was hurt--or any thing about it?"
 "Yes--he was putting his head against the door, and Dick, he was pulling him back-and I was helping Billy to get into his stall--and tnen Jim, the stupid, showed the door against his leg and it's broke. Annie says"
 'O! the Doctor said. He was gath ering the things necessary for a brok- en limb now--and he had just laid them all out half an hour ago think ing he would have the case retaired; 1t has sustained an accident in the railway trip he made last night.
 Playing horse, I see. Now, I'm ready my little lady. Which way-and how far? Will we take a carp
 Why, mol It's just around Stauf- fers, to Browns and across the street. You can run there in a minute. We'll, not more than two teeny minutes, think"
 She held her head on one side as if not quite sure 1t would not require more time.
 Well. come then.' She held out a hand in reply as trustfully as if she ihad known him all her life. and Dr. Baird experienced a strange sensation: it was as if he had touched the hand of one little child whose life was bound up with his own until very re- lcently.
 And you will lead me there, ehT Her answer was a bright smile in which lconfidence was manifest.
 "How old are your
 Just six. My birthday party was only day before yesterday"
 Another bright smile. The Doctor Itried to remember where he had seen lthose eyes. 1t was strange, passing strange. Why they were as familiar to him as
 Its just across the street. We'll 'sprize them, Doctor
 Ere he realized her intention she had tripped across the street and ran up the steps and disappeared from view. Her movements were so quick that he smiled as he glanced at the open door, He was saying to himself what a funny kind of business this is;" there was no servant: no tele- gram; no written message-he won dered as he ascended the steps how 1t was going to end.
 There was no one in the hall; mo- body in the parlor. No sound of human voice. Where was the patient?
 He looked around him; at the ele- gant appointments. the latest maga- zine lay on a table uncut. There was a picture on the wall he had admired greatly; he had envied the man or woman who had means enough to buy that picture--and here it was. He was gazing at 1t when well-bred voice fell on his ear. He turned suddenly; the young lady standing in the door way seemed to be surprised. but she succeeded in concealing her surprise, If indeed his instant surmise was cor rect.
 T assure you, Dr."
 Baird" said the Doctor sobered suddenly by the self-possessed manner and tones of the young lady.
 Indeed. I fear you will have poor opinion of us. But that child does the strangest things"
 The Doctor heard a quick pattering of feet; he anticipated her entrance; he turned smilingly to the door in time to obserce the amazed look the child fixed upon the lady.
 Why didn't you fetch him? Billys just hurt enough to cry, I'm sure"
 She advanced to the Doctor confi- dently; the young lady was vainly endeavoring to prevent the smile that added to her charms to end in laugh ter; she put a hand to her mouth as she turned to the Doctor. but heaven alone knows the intuition of babes and little children.
 Aunt Annie, I think it's awful just awful for you to look like that and Billy's leg maybe broke"
 Aune Annie yielded to fate: she sat down and laughed, the merriest peal Of laughter Doctor Baird had ever heard-and the sweetest. he thought. The Doctor joined with her. He tried to control his muscles at first. The child gazed from one to the other cur iously. then she frowned: the frown was succeeded by a look of sorrow as she advanced to the lady.
 
 leg broke!'
 "!" Aunt Annie exclaimed. as she stifled her laughter, you and Billy will be the death of me yetr'
 As she saw the expression on the Doctors face she hastened to add, ''Billy's goat"
 } Then the Doctor sat down. From feeling strange-like an interloper in this atmosphere of rare refinment and culture upon realizing some blum der brought him there--now explained to be a child's impulse, he could not overcome the inclination to laugh heartily. Indeed he did not try; he indulged the inclination until tears stood in his eyes. When he glanced at the youg lady again 1t was to apologize for the display.
 'Tt is the most natural thing in the world" she said. why 1t Is enough to make a graven image laugh
 Perhaps you may have observed that | A.. 70