The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-28
THE EVENING STORY
In Cupid's Guise.
{ BY John Barton Oxford.)


The afternoon session at the dis
pensary was over. The last waiting
patient in the long line. which had
filed stolidIy by the desk for the past
two hours, had groaned out a recital
of her many ailments. received her
portion of advice and bottle of medi-
cine. and departed homeward. calling
upon numerous saints to shower their
blessings upon the weary, white-coat-
ed young physician behind the rail.
1t was a blistering day. Outside, the
pavement baked in the pitiless sun,
and within the little room the air was
hot and lifeless.
AS the street door closed with a
bang. DR.. Trainor slammed down the
cover of his desk. elevated his feet
luxuriously upon 1t, ana, pulling oue
with Ceep limitations of content.
Now. then, Sammy, old boy, he
called to his assistant, who was ar
ranging the bottles in the laboratory
beyond, "let's wash up and go uptown
for dinner. I'm starved. Lord, what
a day. Whole blamed neighborhood
laid up. it would seem. No, never
mind those reports. Wen NIX EN- up
in the morning. We've done enough
for one day. Hustle up now, OLD chap;
we need something for the inner man,
both of us, and a bit of music while
we feast to cheer US up and take the
edge off these walls we've been listen
ing to all day"
In the laboratory, the assistant quit
ted the endless rows of bottles with
no reluctance whatever. He threw on
his coat grinning expansively.
'NThat's me-" he agreed heartily. us
for the feed. Be with you In MIN
ute, Billy"
sound of running water and mighty
splashing as the assistant laved his
perspiring face. Trainor arose from
the desk and began pulling down the
shades as a gentle hint to any late
corners that business for the day was
over.
the street door burst open, and into
the room came painting, oarefooted
small boy, his eyes shining, his mop OF
red hair disheveled with heat and
haste, his whole bearing that OF q
messenger with evil tidings. in which
he took a certain pride of Importance.
Trainor wheeled upon him, and the
expression at that moment in his eyes
could hardly have been mistaken for
cordial welcome.
''Wen?" he questioned shortly.
what are you doing here? Don't you
know we close at fve?''
Say" said the youth. no whit
abashed by his reception, 81 guess you
know me, don't you? Me names Far
rell-Tim Farrell, of Blossom court
cured me kid sister of the measles
| last month-remember that, don't
you?"
again % Trainor growled.
"Got nothin.'' wigs the scornful re-
ply Accident this time. Lady's fell
down the stairs an sprained her
ankle"
see % said Trainor. You want to
go to No Sc Carver street. They'll
send down a doctor from there. This
| is where we give out medicine; don't
! take any outcases here. SO long.
| Chase yourself now. We're closing up
| here for the day."
Young Mr. Farrell showed no signs
of complying with these delicate hints.
A knowing smile curved the corners
! of his mouth.
right" said he. Maybe you think it's
me old woman or me KID sister that's
took the drop. Milky, Bill. It's swell
dame this time; that's what. Miss
Mortimer, from the Settlement, that's
| who"
"Huh?" said Trainor with sudden
interest whats this? What's hap
pened to Miss Mortimer"
Fell downstairs the youth re-
peated. missed her footin' at the
second 1andin'. where it's dark. an
went down to the bottom of the flight.
Twisted her ankle bad. Grogan, the
| fat grocer, picks her up an carries
her up to the old woman's joint,
| AM
Trainor had doffed his white coat
| in a flash, and, catching up his street
coat from chair, and the little black
case from the top of his desk, laid a
| hand on Tins arm.
Come on. I'll go with you" said
he. "Ho, sammy" he called to the
assistant. "go up and get your dinner
at Gettemy's, I'll join you there later,
| If can
Tim led the way down the scorch-
| ing sidewalks turned into a narrow
side street and from there into yet
narrower court. With Trainor at his
| heels. he entered the door of tum-
bledown tenement and battered up the
rickety stairs.
At the top of the third flight they
entered doorway, to be greeted by
portly woman with red face and anx-
land is it you. doctor?" she cried in
relief Sure, she's hurried bad. Come
| into the front room"
She ushered him into the room be-
| yond. where on an old hair-cloth sofa
a very pretty girl was propped on pill
lows. Her eyes widened at the sight
of the visitor.
"Billy," she said, chow did you get
| here?"
DR.. Trainor was a man of consider
able decision. He turned to the stout
woman, and his manner brooked no
delay.
Mrs. Farrell" said he crisply,
| "some hot water at once, If you
nlease. You. Tim, hustle back to the
dispensary before DR.. Martin leaves
| and tell him to send me some two
inch bandages, understand
The two departed on their errands
and Trainor turned to the girl on the
sofa.
''It's nothing-rea1ly nothing" she
| said hastily. IL slipped on the landing
and
'Helen," said Trainor severely,
| don't tell me what it is or what it
isn't. That ankle is badly spralned.
~ oil o11t nf natience with this set