The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-11-07

Just let her get strong again and
wouldn't she show everybody how
young and heart free she was! AS If,
for that matter. any one had ever
thought of her as anything else!
Surrounded by flowers. as usual
was the doctors CHEEKY greeting as he
dropped In for semisocial. semipro-
fessional call one afternoon.
Leonora didn't really need his serv.
IL, IL = .,tur rounu
1t di.u..d L. DESERT 50 fascinating Il
patient
"Nho sent them" he teased her
"Tom. Dick or Harry mean Rob,
Jack or Roland?'
Leonora's big brown eyes looked at
him in amazement.
"How did you know about themY'
The doctor laughed bit sheepishly.
"Oh, that's all you talked about when
you had the fever"
Lenora blushed prettily.
Eyes. 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 woman's rubber
overshoe filled with rich. fragrant vlo-
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 |
lost that rainy day before was taken
Ill. Some man saw me drop 1t and has
sent it back to me in this artistic fash
ion-anonymously Of course"
Rather a footless procedure. 1t
strikes me-" confghented the doctor.
For shamer Leonora reproved.
You're jealous"
The doctors face grew serious.
"Maybe | am" he replied. Leonora
dropped her eyes under his steady look
of admiration. 1.-THE other three were
strong enough rivals without this I'M
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 great bunch Of
brilliant autumn leaves filled their
place.
"Leonora, | am jealous" announced
ecstasies over the gorgeous foliage. II
believe If 1t weren't for this aggres-
syely sentimental scamp I'd stand
half a 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 admlrer.
He appeals to my Imagination more
than any man | ever actually knew.
| love romance. cant help It,"
"Well, then" said the doctor decisive
ly. 1.-The sooner he's discovered and
laid low the better. I'm going to hunt
him down If 1t takes month of Sun
days and present him to you. little
Miss Romance"
In less than q week word came from
the doctor that he would call on a Ger.
tain afternoon, with Leonora's consent.
and bring mfr. Macintosh with him.
With feverish anticipation Leonora
waited the elimination of her ro-
nance On the stated afternoon she
frock and tucked some of the violets
that had come that very morning into
her belt.
The bell rang Her heart beat fuf.
ously She was half joyous. half
afraid
The doctor entered her sitting room
alone.
"Wouldn't he come" faltered Leo.
nora
"He wants time to have little talk
with you first. Leonora First, he's ask
ed me to tell sou 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 ~
frank and fair about him as 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 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 him
without doubt. Hes
Hes everything you say he isn't"
interrupted Leonora He's handsome
and modest and unselfish and-and-
anyway, money isn't everything"
"Why. Leonorar stammered the doc.
tor, utterly taken back by her burst of
passionate defense
"And | know something else about
him too. found 1t out today. His
handwriting is always the same funny
boylsh 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 me