Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-10-06
A DELICATE SITUATION

having tried various other careers "
out success, had at length turned his
tention to things theatrical and
upon the stage. Here he had met
some slight success; his good looks, 81
full figure and a certain romantic
had recommended him to the notice
distinguished London manager, who
in want of handsome young lover f
subordinate part in one of his n
dramas, and he had engaged Delmot
"a week.
The piece ran for $50 nights
when it was taken off he paid a visi
MS friend, John Mickiethwaite, cou
doctor with a practice in the Midls
which had already reached such din
sions that he was making arrangem
for taking a partner.
BY the way, Dermott," said the
tor, on the third day after his arr
Il wonder if you'd mind doing me a
favor"
Only too pleased. What is it 2
quired Dermott.
It's to cycle over to X" replied the
doctor, naming village five miles dis
tant, ''and to take some medicine to one
of my patients there and inquire how she
is. | am so confounGedly busy this
morning that / can't drive over myself,
and my mal has to go with medicine
right in the other direction. If you can
do this for me and tell them that I'll
be over tomorrow morning without fail,
I'd be awful,y obliged. The patient is
Miss Jellicoe. She lives with her sis
ter at a large house called the Cedars.
ANA, by the way, will you ask to see
Miss Mary Jellicoe-the sister-and learn
from her, first hand, how my patient
| is 2
In half an hour Dermott started with
the medicine in his pocket. The Cedars
was a prosperous-looking house. Der
mott was shown into a reception room,
where he was joined by Miss Mary Jelli-
coe. She was a fresh, wholesome look
ing girl but with the self-possessed air
of one accustomed to manage her own
affairs.
DR. Micklethwaite is very sorry that
he is unavoidably prevented from COM
ing himself today" began Dermott, by
way of explanation, Out"
"Ah, just so,' cut in Miss Mary, brisk
| ly, with a comprehending nod. 80 he
has sent you instead. Very happy, l am
sure, to make your acquaintance. Now,
as regards my sister Ruby. l am sorry
to say she is not quite so well this
morning. She has had a recurrence
Of"
Then, before Dermott quite knew what
was happening, he found himself being
subjected to an intimate and particular
description of Miss Ruby Jellicoe's symp-
toms, involving details the very mention
of which made him blush all over from
head to foot. Moreover, the unconcerned
air with which the young lady went into
these delicate particulars took Dermott
so completely aback that he was, tempo
rarily speechless. There was some mis-
take, of course. And a remark that Miss
Mary let fall soon supplied the clue.
She was evidently under the delusion
that he was DR.. Micklethwaite's new
partner.
Dermott experienced "the cold creeps'
down his backbone. If he had had pres
ence of mind to sUop before she had got
fairly under way it might have been all
right. But to point out her mistake to
the young lady now would overwhelm
her.
80 perhaps" she went on, 'you will
now come up and see my sister,
Dermott gasped. The cold sweat broke
out prOfusely on his forehead. He now
began to realize what he had let himself
in for by his tacit acquiescence in the
lady's mistake.
'I-er-oh, yes To be sure But
but-perhaps she mightn't like to sea
-a-stranger," he suggested, clutehing
desperately at the idea.
Miss Mary looked at him in evident
surprise.
Dear me, not" she said. Ruby has
more sense than that, l hope. Besides,
even if it were otherwise, l should insist
on her seeing you, now you are here.
/ Will you come up, please?"
| Dermott dared not say more. His
guide led the way to a luxuriously fur
nished room. where the patient pretty
girl of about %, lay in bed.
Worse and worsel" groaned Dermott,
inwardly IF she'd been up and dressed
it wouldn't have been so bad. But in
examine her. Oh, Lord!"
''Dr. Micklethwaite is unable to come
himself today, dear said Miss Mary,
/ addressing heI SISTER. % ne mas STINT
! his partner 20 see you instead
! Then to Dermott's dismay, she went
out and left him alone with the sick
girl. He approached the bedside and
mumbled out an inquiry how she felt.
/ Not so we'll" answered the patient,
! regarding the handsome young Irishman
approvingly with her brown eyes land
very fine eyes they were. as Dermott
noted. I've had a recurrence Of the old
/ trouble, DR.. MickIethwaite has told you
all about my case. / presume"
Yes, yes. He has described it to me
exactly :jermott answered. hastily.
My heart has been jumping about,
/ too, in the most alarming manner" con-
tinued Miss Ruby. Or Micklethwaite
4 has assured me that there is nothing the
matter with it. But / should feel more
satisfied if you would sound me"