Smyrna times., 1907-12-25

Jack or ROland?'
LeOnOra's big brown eyes looked at
him in amaZement.
"How did you know about them?"
The doctor laughed bit sheepishly
"Oh, that's all you talked about when
you had the fever"
Lenora blushed prettily.
Yes, they sent them" she acknOwl-
edged, Rob and Jack and Roland.
But not even the American Beauties
give me such keen joy as my rubber
violets.''
The doctor followed her gaze. From
the chandelier hung a womans rubber
Overshoe filed with rich. fragrant vio-
let's.
Its the most romantic thing that
ever happened to me in my life," ex-
claimed Leonora, her eyes shining with
happiness. You see it's the rubber l
lost that rainy day before l was taken
i'll. Some man saw me drop it and has
sent it back to me in this artistic fash
ion-anonymously, of course"
Rather footless procedure. it
strikes me-" commented the doctor.
For shamew LeOnOra reproved.
You're jealous!'
The doctors face grew serious.
Maybe l am" he replied. Leonora
dropped her eyes under his steady look
of admiration. "The other three were
strong enough rivals without this un-
known macintosh butting in with his
rubber plants"
LeOnOra turned aside the doctors
meaning lightly.
Hes the one interest in life for me
now" she said gayly.
Following the advent of the violets
came lady slippers, with fanciful lit
tie note expressing the hope that they'd
prove as fitting an expression of the
donors devotion as the rubbers, and
when they had faded Il great bunch of
brilliant autumn leaves filed their
| place
"LeOnora. | am jealous" announced
the doctor as he watched her 90 into
| ecstasies over the gorgeous foliage. 81
believe if it weren't for this aggres-
sively sentimental scamp I'd stand
half chance myself Don't you care
for me the least little bit. Leonora?"
The girl hesitated.
More than a little bit. DR.. Terrence.
But, foolish or not, all my thoughts
center around this unknown admirer.
He appeals to my imagination more
than any man | ever actually knew
| love romance. | can't help it."
"Well, then," said the doctor decisive
| ly, ''the sooner he's discovered and
laid low the better. I'm going to hunt
| him down if it takes a month of Sun
days and present him to you. little
Miss Romance"
In less than a week word came from
the doctor that he would call on GER
tain afternoon, with LeonOra's consent,
and bring "Mr. Macintosh with him.
With feverish anticipation Leonora
waited the elimination of her ro-
nance. On the stated afternoon she
dressed herself in her most becoming
frock and tucked some of the violets
that had come that very morning into
her belt.
The bell rang. Her heart beat furi
ously. She was half joyous, halt
afraid.
The doctor entered her sitting room
alone.
'Wouldn't he Gomez" faltered Leo
nora.
''He wants time to have little talk
with you first, Leonora. First, he's ask.
ed me to tell you a bit what he's like
and then if you don't want to see him
you needn't. I'm going to be just as
| frank and fair about him as l know
how. He isn't handsOme-in fact,
think he's about as near homely as
they make 'em-and he's conceited-
awfully conceited. He isn't rich either
makes just a fair living, though he
hopes to do better some day. He's
pretty fond of his own way, I've dis
covered, but you could manage hin
without doubt. He's
"He's everything you say he isn't,
interrupted LeOnora. He's handsome
and modest and unselfish and-and-
anyway, money isn't everything"
"Why, Leonora!' stammered the doc
tor, utterly taken back by her burst ot
passionate defense.
"And l know something else abou
him too. found it out today. Hi:
handwriting is always the same funny
boyish scrawl whether it's on a pre-
scription or in a note sent with lady
slippers"
The doctors face was radiant
''LeonOra." he cried, 'you do love m'
there is no rivalT'
'NO, dear; none. You've won the
rubber even if you did juggle the card:
a bit acknowledge my defeat"
And then the\Qan who was "prett!
fond of his own Way insisted on tax
ing thirty kisses-and one more tt
grow on.