The Tupelo journal., 1911-03-31

your name WASP ms 1Sked shrewdly.
The stranger smiled broadly. y
didn't say, but I am Dr. Massen, tho
new physician In town."
"Dr. Massen." repeated Aunt Har-
riet slowly, as IL she enjoyed the
sound Of the words. Are you mar
ried, young mani"
mo, I am not" he laughed lightly.
"Drink?" asked Aunt Harriet brisk
".
~ ~ssyss, ssa
.Yes, and enjoy 1t too"
Aunt Harriet shook her head disap-
provingly, but made no comment.
"Chew?" she asked.
"Lord, nor he laughed again. And
/ don't believe I use swear words
either"
Yes, you do. You Just said one."
| contradicted the old woman 'dryly.
"But never mind; you'll do"
Thank you for saying SO. And
now may / have my bread?"
"You better wait till Evalina comes
suggested Aunt Harriet %agreeably.
"You can sit right down in the other
| room. There's likely to be Sunday
school papers on the table. You can
read till Evalina comes. She'll be-
along in a moment"
Every WELL" said DR.. Massen. obey
ing her suggestion with suspicious
promptitude.
Thereupon followed a conversation
that would better be called an inquisi-
ton. There was no question concern
ing the life Of John Massen that Aunt
Harriet did not ask. His past was
laid bare for Aunt Harriet's inspec-
ton, and then she In turn told the
simple story Of Evalina's self sacri1c-
ing life. "All for an old woman that
isn't worth her salt" she said tear
fully.
'Nonsense!' said the doctor cheerily'
." know Miss Ward enjoys doing Il
for you"
IF / was to die she'd be all alone
said Aunt Harriet wistfully. Il wish
she'd get married"
DR.. Massen was silent for several
moments. perhaps she will some
day." he said, with some constraint.
"Why don't you marry herr" asked
Aunt Harriet sharply. "Eyalina's 9
real good cook"
"Aunt Harriet" Evalina's voice came
Indignantly from the doorway. why
are you speaking Of me in such a man
ner to a stranger. How may I serve
you, sir?"
DR.. Massen. looking down at her, mar
veled at her great anger. She looked
like some little fluffy rufled bird, 9
little bright hued bird whose domain
has been invaded by some maraudint
dog OF cat.
II came for bread" he said meekly
Il hope you have some to spare"
II believe there is none left" SAID
Evalina loftily. and then she blushet
painfully while he bowed low and lief
the room.
Evalina walked into the bedroom
and, throwing herself down into {
chair beside the bed, burst into tears
AUNT Evalina, how could your sht
sobbed bitterly. "You have mortified
me So"
Il was only starting my matermonia
bureau, Evalina. You won't do moth
Ing yourself about getting married, ant
you can't bake all your life. There
amt no need to take on so; he wa,
real pleasant about the matter"
PLEASANT walled Evalina. "Oh
Aunt Harriet, why did you pick hiI
out? If 1t had only been somebody
else! I'll never dare look him in thu
face again!'
Aunt Harriet turned her face to TIL
wall and smiled wisely. Il can't say
I'm sorry, Evalina, but l won't sa!
any such things again, l promise"
Two weeks afterward Aunt Harrie'
Ward suffered one Of her periodical
poor SPELLS" and old DR.. Lake was
sent for in great haste. But DR.. Lake
was himself a prisoner, tied to thu
house with inflammatory rheumatism
so it happened that the tall form o,
DR.. Massen darkened Eyalina's door
| way OuCC AlOlC. aN
She did not look at him, but led thu
way directly to Aunt Harriet's side
She stood apart and reluctantly con
fessed to herself that his skill vas fal
superior to that of the old doctor. Hi:
terse questioning, his kindly manner
his quick diagnosis of Aunt Harriet'l
battling case, opened a world of en-
enlargement for both women.
Evalina found herself flying to d.
his bidding. An hour afterward they
were chatting like old friends across
Aunt Harriet's contented face.
Seems like | feel ten years younger
DOCTOR said the old woman gratefully
after give you a course OF electric
massage you'll be running around will
the best OF, u.s." he encouraged her.
Il can never repay you If you do
she said tearfully.
You've paid me in part already, Mis
Ward" he said gravely, without look
ing at Evalina. .Some day I'm com
ing to present my billiard perhaps
levy on your most precious posses
sion."
Evalina in the next was agar
an eavesdropper, but this time sht
was silent. Her hand rested lightly
with a half caress on one of the doc
tors sealskin gloves thruwn on thr