Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-05-28
! THE EVENING STORY
THE DOCTOR AND THE PATIENT.
BY JULIA r. WELLS.

ilCOpyTlSlJ, lSlU, ny AcSOCAuIou AASSi
airy Press.)
| 81 am afraid it was mistake to
send for you, DR.. Moore, am not
really ill.," said Resale, adjusting
the pillows behind her with one hand
while the doctor held the other and
counted her pulse.
Lie TILL" said the doctor peremp
torily.
Rosalie, astonished at his brusque
tone, lay perfectly rigid.
what made you faint, then, If you
are not ILL.," asked the doctor, rather
more gently.
81 WIS just tired, think" said
Rosalie. II had been working toe
long and forgot my luncheon.
Sheer Madness" he said, looking
black. "Anything the matter with
| your hearth" he inquired.
"I don't know; sometimes 1t thumps
retty hard. and often. at night, !
can't sleep because it is so noisy she
said, hesitating for a word.
THAT must be looked into said
DR.. Moore, Grossly. LET me see your
tongue first"
Rosalie went through with the hated
performance Of sticking out her
tongue. The doctor made no COM
ment. Then he laid his hand on her
heart and afterward held 1t close
pressed against her back while Rosa
lie held her breath, breathed deeply,
or said "Ah" at his command.
"There Is nothing organically
wrong with your heart. Nerves
again." he announced. "Bu you are
too thin"
Il know am" said Rosali,, flush
ing painfully.
':Not for beauty" he said, apparent
ly divining the cause of the he ;hten-
ed color in his patients cheeks:
''bones are often more beautiful than
flesh: but too thin for health. You
need eggs and milk and rest
Eggs and milk thought
"Your lungs are perfectly sound"
said the doctor, sharply, "but you re-
quire nourishment"
"And rest" said Resale, doubtfully
II can't rest very long. must
work"
"What is your work." asked Dr.
Moore, in his imperative way.
Writing; anything, everything
fashions, now and then story"
For fame or 'fortune?' he inquired,
looking about the room with calmly
appraising eye. r.
"For fortune" answered his patient,
much amused.
"Well, then, it won't do you any
harm to rest for little while; you
will work twice as fast and as we'll
afterward Promise me that you will
stay in bed until this hour tomorrow,
he said, rising.
Il promise said Rosalie, smiling
up at him. ss
"And an egg in milk every two
hours, besides three regular meals
Good-by," and he was gone.
Rosalie was still smiling when she
heard the front door close after him.
The death of their old family ply.
stefan had necessitated the calling IN
of stranger. and Rosalie concluded
that nothing could be in greater con-
trast to the old doctors genial loquac-
ity than DR.. Moore's grave and abrupt
manner.
He returned at the same time the
next day, greeted her briefly, and
taking he hand, rested his sensitive
fingers on her pulse.
"A more domestic pulse today he
stated In his expressionless way
what is domestic pulse. DR..
Moore?" asked his patient, smiling.
Don't you know
"No, I don't know, but I should like
to-"
.Have you taken the eggs and
MILK" he asked, ignoring her last re-
mark.
eyes" answered Resale, submits
sively.
"And you stayed in bed?"
eyes," she replied.
"That was right. I will come again
tomorrow. Don't get UP before |
come. and no working in bed. Good
BY" and he was gone again.
The next day he came with book
in his hand. This Is bride, to
keep you in bed" he explained. 1T
is the most fascinating book that |
know of that has appeared recently.
There is man in 1t that is little
like me- he announced. calmly. as he
handed her the book. do you know
it," he inquired.
''No, but If it is fascinating will
stay in bed another day." she said.
"That will make the fourth"
He counted her pulse without any
remark, and asked her about her
heart. Rosalie assured him that 1t
was more quiet. and after looking at
her tongue he informed her that she
was very satisfactory patient. Then
he fairly dazzled her with smile
that transformed his face.
Then, II you like the story you
will stay in bed?" he asked.
eyes," she answered.
"Good-by," he called, and she heard
him running down the steps.
She read the book, and read half
the night.
Nov. what is the matter?" asked
DR.. Moore the next day, glancing at
her keenly. Then before she had time
to answer, did you read all night?"
mot quite" she said.
Fresh air will be the best thing"
he said, reflectively. II will make an
other call and be back in fifteen min.
utes. Can you dress yourself and be
ready in that timer"
"ves" said his patient smiling at