The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-08-04
THAT THING
CALLED LOVE
y JEANNE OLIVE LoIzEAUx
Copyright, isoo, By Associatsd Literary Press)

Copyright. isua. BY Associated Literary Prssa)
Dr.. Thomas Denman, on his way
from q call. stopped at the first good
cafe he passed. hung up his fur coat
and cap. and looked about the crowded
place for seat. The pre- Christmas
stir Of gayety and hurry irritated him
why should the world hurry? It was
he thought. making the usual hustle
about nothing. Then he saw an empty
chair at small side table and walked
over to It, asking permission to sit op
posite the little old lady on the other
side. She bowed graciously and let the
waiter give her some soup.
The meal passed in silence save for
an occasional word of courtesy in pass
Ing salt or sugar. and the little lady
began to study the anxious young face
before her. Why did this big, blonde
healthy young man eat so little? She
noted the fine. trained white hand
crumbling a piece Of bread-the sur
geon's hand. He was 80 manifestly
worried and unhappy that her always
open heart went out to him. Would
be. young enough to be her son, resent
p question?
Excuse me-" she finally ventured
"but are you flor in trouble?" He
glanced up. surprised. but his face
cleared to sort Of whimsical graft
tude. He suddenly wished for a moth.
er-like this woman. OF course. hia
own mother was dead-he liked to
think that she would never have left
him nameless in an orphanage-surely
no mother would do that! He smiled
at the little old lady ruefully.
1T has been called disease" he
replied. "And isn't 1t trouble to be on
gagged to one girl and very much afraid
you are in love with another? What
would you advise your son in such q
case?"
He waited In silence while the
waiter changed his plate. -. -
Suppose you tell me what the case
ISL" she suggested in low. inviting
tone.
He hesitated a moment, then con
cluded to do the unheard-of thing, for
he never talked about himself even to
a friend.
well. since you're so good-I'm
doctor-been practicing three years,
and just beginning to make good.
don't know who am. was left I'm.
named at an orphanage. I ran away
at ten. named myself. and worked my
way through college. Then dill char
ity work In clinic for the slums and
learned the sorrows of the poor l prob
ably came from originally. A rich man
Interested in philanthropy gave me
money to study in Europe. I came
back and established myself and have
repaid him every cent. Also / am en-
gagged to his only daughter-I met her
in settlement work. She is wrapped
up In 1t. She is lovely and kind. She
has heart and brains, and money and
posftion-we could help each other,
and our Joined forces would be a pow.
er. wanted to be helper, for I have
suffered in loneliness and want. And
I thought I loved her-we became firm
friends. And then-I found the other
girl, and don't know how to tell
Helen-I can't" He looked up apollo.
getically.
Tell me about the other girl You
will never see me again."
Il found her desperately i'll with
pneumonia in clinical hospital, where
she was taken from a students board.
Ing house. It looked hopeless case
but pulled her through by sheer force
Of purpose. believe. don't see ye,
why she lives! She is a mere child
only eighteen-and nearly through
business college. She is SO very pretty
1t makes me shudder to have her 60 ia
work in an Office. And she is delicate
She is an orphan, and l know her
money must be almost gone. She in
sisted on paying me, and was insulted
at the smallness of my bill. She will
barely speak to me. know she still
needs care, but the last time called
while passing she refused to see me-
And-well-confound the thing called
love-" he muttered.
| Then he came to himself.
Il do beg your pardon! forgot my
SELF"
The old lady leaned forward inviting
ly over the table. Who takes care Of
herr" she asked.
That's what's taking the life out Of
me-that cheap boarding house. What
can do? can't send her q check
neither can buy beefsteak and shoes
and warm clothing for her-unless !
marry her. And there are hundreds
as badly of as she. She is as proud
and upright as flower. don't even
dare send her the smallest sort Of pres
ent. She seemed even at the hospital
to be on the watch lest do one thina
for her not required by law! Do you
suppose my feeling can be-merely
pity7 For, you see. with Helen's help
I could take care Of hundred girla
like that Helen has the means and !
have the ability"
The fne old face grew thoughtful
why not tell Helen about her ana let
her look after her?"
/ am