The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-05-10
DUNCAN, P. c.
by Emile Girafd.

Marion looked up hopefully as the
card was brought her. Even the an
of Duncan's name was
But the little oblong OF
cardboard bore in addition to the name
the initials p C. Perhaps 1t meant
"penitent culprit" Duncan was always
doing odd things. The magic letters
might re his expression of regret.
But when he came briskly into the
room there was no penitential sorrow In
his countenance, only the same merry
twinkle of the eyes. the old httlhg Oh
the corners of the mouth.
'They tell me that Tad is no better"
he said as he took Marion's hand. AS
you will perceive from my card am
physician to children.
Marion's face darkened. This. then,
was the meaning of the card. He was
worried about her brother for a mo-
ment she was minded to renew the old
quarrel but she needed help and sym
pathy. and SO she laid her head on his
shoulder and sobbed out her troubles.
Her father had been obliged to go to
Europe on business and had taken his
wife with him. Marion had been left
in charge of her nineyear- old brother,
and almost before the ship had passed
Sandy Hook Tad had come down with
typhoid.
His robust constitution had thrown
off the disease but the battle had left
him weak and listless, and even the
graybearded physician was worried.
"There is no actual danger" he ex-
planned to Marion, but he must be
reused from this lethargy or he Will
go into a decline"
He had confided the same fear to
Henry Duncan when he met the latter
on the street and the younger man had
asked after his little chum. Then.
despite the misunderstanding between
Marion and himself, he could hold out
no longer, and his call was the result
IF he should die before mother comes
back what should l do?" walled Marion.
send cable" advised Duncan
promptly, but there is mot going to
be any more worry now that the
physician to children has stepped in
May l see my patientY'
Marion led him to the boys room
Tad's face Iightened as he saw Duncan
and his fingers twined confidingly
about the mans firm hand. Duncan
was shocked at the tinness of the
fingers, but he gave no sign.
What's the matter, old chap?" he de-
manded with a voice now wonderfully
gentle. They tell me you don't find
the world any good any more
Pm tired" said Tad plaintively.
ri bet you'd not he too tired to go
to a circus" said Duncan.
Tad shook his head.
There amt any," he said. II was
asking DIR. stanton. He said it's too
early for them"
"Circuses are no good II they are
picked before they are ripe admitted
Henry, but If you didn't want too big
a circus | think l can get one for you.
II don't want to play circus explain
ed the boy. I've got some play
circuses Ones in book and the others
in the cupboard"
I'VE got him toy circus and a circus
book whispered Marion. He has
somehow set his mind on circus. 1t
will be a long time before one comes,
There are no more circuses," reiter-
ated Tad sadly They've all gone
away"
Rats" laughed Duncan, THAT
shows all you know about circuses.
viii a little circus do. real circus,
only with one ring?'
real horses real everything?' de-
manded the boy.
EVERYTHING except the tent and the
red lemonade You see in winter they
keen circuses in houses so the elephant
won't get his ears frost bitten. / bet
If YOU had ears as big as an elephants
you WOulQn Ike u set y'Ni NeiS tA"St
bitten?"
The boy laughed in delight at the
fancy and beat the Counterpart with his
fragile hand.
"rhen there's the giraffe went on
Duncan. why. when he starts to
cough. it's a fun minute before 1t
wriggles up his throat So they keep
circuses in lighthouses just like plants"
And there really is circuses?'
You get rested up and We're going
to one tomorrow assured Henry.
Really and truly"
Mans word" declared Henry. as he
put out his hand Now you get better
quick. SO Or stanton won't say that
you can't come I'll he here at eleven
with a pat on the curly head he rose
and left the room Marion followed him
down the hall.
He will be awfully disappointed to-
morrow" she said doubtfully
Don't believe it, laughed Duncan
You leave it to me and that hoy Will
be champion scrarper of tho block in
another month have Stantion's
permission to assume the case. lie adj
mits his inability to meet the situation.
My fee Is nothing less than wife by
the name of Marion
Il don't think you Will be Kept walt
ing for the fee" she replied, blushing
I'm sorry l was so mean