Middletown transcript., 1906-08-04
THE DOCTOR
By INA BREyooRT ROBERTS


on the grass below, almost into
the arms Of a young woman in
a blue ball gown.
The moonlight made it posi-
BILE for her to note in the first
surprised glance she gave him
that he was young, that he was
od-looking, aud that he was
wearing evening dress.
AS for Edgar. to accomplish
the recovery of his balance and
execute a bow before the young
woman could have said Jack
Robinson, z required dexterity no
less than grace, yet he did these
things and still had time to see
that she had youth and beauty
and that, unless the twinkle in
her eyes was an effect o. the
moonlight, she was also possess
ed of a sense of humor.
I beg your pardon, he said con-
tritely. Pn afraid startled you.
The girl received his apology
with good -humored smile
wac surprised. she said. /
hardly think you should have
Jumped out of the window in that
way; that is, unless you are a
burglar and have the silver IN
your pockets. She was regard
ing him gravely and with a ques-
tioning glance.
The young man S gravity equal
ed hers. No, / am nothing SO
interesting, he replied. l am
only Mrs. Stanhope's brother,
Edgar Winton.
His companion gave him a Sec
ond smile in which some friend
illness was mingled with the good
humor.
So you are Angela's brother,
she remarked. I've heard OF
you: in fact, her friends have
heard of little else since the news
of your intended arrival.
And since that arrival I've done
nothing, it seems to me. but be
pseseated to Angela's friends,re-
turned Edgar plaintively. Bat
I've met them all new, | think,
except you and one other. He
moved a step nearer and, Can
yon keep a secreE he asked mys-
teriously.
I can try, responded She
And you're not easily horritied:
don't think SO,
Well, / was running away from
the other one; that is why |
jumped out Of the window. Ed
gar watched the effect of his
words and decided that the twin
kle was not an effectof the moon
light.
WASH t aware that your sister
numbered amongher friends any
one who deserves such ungallant
treatment, the girl said reproV-
ingly. Was it an ogre or an
ogress you escaped froins
NeHher; something worth. 1t
was a woman doctor.
Oh! And you don't like woman
doctors?
I don't like women as doctors.
Success in any profession means
a slaves life, and men should do
the drudgery of the world. Don't
you agree with me?
Not altogether.
What is the matter? cried Ed
gar. You're looking at me rather
oddly. ! say, bis voice took on q
note of horror as siclzening pos
sibility flashed across his brain,
you're not Doctor Mandeyille, are
you?
The girls laugh rang out mer-
rily.
am not, she said.
Edgar laughed too and gave a
sigh of relief.
OF course anyone can see you
are not a woman doctor, he re-
marked apoIogetically, but really
you frightened me fora moment.
And perhaps after all you're her
sister? His tone had again be
come anxious.
No, indeed; nor her cousin nor
her aunt, nor any relative. lam
merely her friend, but in that
capacity l feel impelled to tell
you that Doctor Vaudeville is a
very charming woman.
Doabtless, doubtless, returned
Edgar. Nevertheless, I'm glad
I ran away. Now I've never
seen this Doctor Mandeyille, but
I'll wager can describe her TO a
T. She has short hairY
She has.
And she habitualIy wears ski5ts
that clear the ground?
She does.
And stout bootss
Yes.