The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-04-27
The Verdict of the
Book
By Emma E. Manning

1t was a queer place, that second
hand bookstore. The battered vol
umes Of all possible shapes and sizes
were queer, and so were many OF
those who came to examine theln'
prey to interest in some one subject
that was often almost a mania. BOOKS
and callers were alike largely shaD-
by, and queerness reigned in the store
When Dorothy Clarke entered the
place as an attendant she had thought
the room spooky and the books disa-
ereeable ghosts, but the feeling wore
away, especially as not all the DOCKS
were ancient and not all the callers
eccentric. Alert, well dressed men
rame with others, searching for vol
umes on practical subjects. She had
been employed six months, when a
young man of good appearance walked
briskly in during Mr.. Templemore's
lunch hour. Bowing formally, he ad-
dressed her with courtesy.
Have you any old-time medical
works." he asked. you see, am a
doctor, and l like to pass Fart OF
my leisure hours reading what ply
sicians thought about medicine gener-
ations ago. That will hardly appeal to
you-please pardon me-"
She led the way and swept her hand
along the proper shelf.
"Whew" he exclaimed. Ancient
wisdom by the yard"
His laugh rang out cheerfully, aft
er which he was immersed In investi-
cation for twenty minutes. In the
end be purchased an inexpensive
treatise and departed. He was only
one of many customers, and she for
got him in a few moments, but 1t was
not his only call Those battered old
books warriors OF past battles with
disease, had such a fascination for
him that he came often. His purchas-
es were few, but he examined large
ay, often asking questions In his po-
lite way.
An acquaintance was established be-
tween them in degree, and then she
Dad a surprise one Sunday at
church. Without warning a friend in
troduced her to "Dr. Clifton" She
lifted her eyes and saw the young
man of the bookstore calls.
After that they met often. He made
her church his, and, always cour-
teous, sought her presence persistent
ly. Her mother noticed the fact, made
inquiries, and saw no reason to OBJ
1ect. Twice he took Dorothy to some
place of amusement, though she was
not certain that she enjoyed herself
greatly She was of two minds as to
DIR. Clifton, and he was himself re-
sponsible for her doubts. Brief as
their acquaintance was he had half
assumed an air or proprietorship
and other things rartly Offset his un-
deniably good qualities. Her mind was
= scale in which she was weighing
him.
Miss Clarke" said Mr.. Templemore
= tne afternoon, "have you sold that
sopy of The London Dispensatory,'
printed by John Allen in 1902"
"No, sir" she answered.
Misplaced by some customer prob
ably. VIII you look along the
helves?"
She searched, but the volume was
hot found. The proprietor betrayed his
texation.
%Another book thief" he grumbled,
''and it was worth more than the s25
I asked for 1t. 1t was rare, rare!
Bomebody was tempted beyond his
powers OF resistance"
With this he began unpacking
case OF books, but he left Dorothy
thoughtful. Two weeks before DR.. Cliff
ton had discovered The London Dis
pensatory," and grown enthusiastic
over 1T, but had shaken his head at
the price. Twenty-Five dollars, for a
book not of practical use looked large.
In spite OF that he came day after
day, taking the volume down, reading
greedily, and signing as he replaced
It. Once, too, after replacing it on the
shelf, he had gazed at its cover and
Eallen into deep study that lasted
several minutes. Clearly, he longed for
the ancient treatise.
Now it was gone. Dorothy won
dered-but 1t seemed absurd. The
doctors social position ought to make
him free from suspicion, she argued.
Mr.. Templemore was not to be con-
soled. "The London Dispensatory" lay
heavily upon his mind. he still had
periods OF searching for 1t, and spoke
or 1t oftener than he hunted. Mean
while. Dorothy considered very seri-
ously Now that it was gone DR.. Cliff
ton came no more to the store, and
she recalled that previously, he had
come only during the proprIetor's
eunch hour, Her wayeripg ended and