Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-03-16
HE LAUGHS
LAST

A'AAS ~
knew her own town we'll enough to
be sure that he was having a hard
time In winning its favor and in per-
suadlng his brother physicians that he
was worthy of his profession But
even If she had not known what she
did his very appearance would have
betrayed the situation to her, for his
coat was too thin for that weather
and his hat only endured because OBJ
vlously when bought it had been the
best of its kind to be had.
Justina did not know how she got
her cold; it must have come to her,
she said. At any rate she was wholly
unprepared for the very worst at
tack of influenza she had ever had in
her life.
Her father telephoned for Doctor
Kip, but he was out of town.
He was just deciding that he would
call Doctor Bates, when he glanced
from a window and saw Doctor Dreer
-Justina's little doctor-going by
with his new medicine case in his
hand. Not waiting for Justina's APP
prevail or objection, he rushed out
after him.
Doc! Hello, doc!"
So it was Doctor Dreer after all!
He came in quietly without the least
embarrassment or hesitation. He sat
down beside Justina and took her
hand. His manner was calmly pro-
fessional. And his hand was not
cold Indeed, it was a very nice
hand, not too white, but we'll kept
Neither was his voice nasal. Justina
could have jumped when she heard
it, for he really had one of the lowest,
pleasantest voices she had ever
heard.
Take it all in all, the little doctor
looked and behaved very we'll at close
range and Justina, who was not too
i'll to be observing, was favorably i'm
pressed with him. She smiled when
he gave Ellen explicit orders for ma
king poultice and saw for once how
that authority of the household con-
descended to obey.
OF course, Doctor Dreer cured JUS
tina. After Justina was we'll she did
not, of course, see him, save as she
met him unexpectedly on the street.
1t amused her always to see how he
would flush at the sight of her. He
seemed suddenly to get more business.
Winter went slowly, but there came
radiant April, ushered in by the
new motor, magnificent thing of
red and gold, equipped after the man.
ner of the most expensive horseless
vehicle.
1t CHANGED one fine afternoon in
June, when Justina was alone, that
the car baked suddenly two miles
from town. 1t would not bulge an
inch. Justina waited and scanned the
deserted road in the hope that some
body would come and rescue her.
And then she saw him jogging to-
ward her behind the old gray horse
Doctor Dreer, of all people in the
world. He leaned out to look at her
as he approached. Then suddenly he
stopped the horse, sprang out, and
came toward her on foot.
Dear Doctor Dreer; good kind
Doctor Dreer, does sick automobile
come within the scope of your abili-
ties?"
I'm afraid not What's the matter
here?' He casually inspected the car.
Il see" The doctor nodded
thoughtfully. You'll let me take YOU
home, won't you? | was going up here
to make call, but it can wait I'm
afraid" he said as he led up the horse
and helped her to step from the car
into his buggy, that you'll find this a
very slow way to travel. The car
will have to stand where it is until
you can send someone back after 1t.
1t won't be disturbed This road isn't
travelled much, you know"
You have come very opportunity"
Justina said, feeling deeply grateful.
She thought he seemed pleased to
have her there beside him. She her
self was not displeased And she liked
his eyes.
1t seemed short distance back into
town, even though the gray horse did
move SO slowly. There they found q
man who undertook to go and bring
home the car.
you used to laugh at me when
went by" he said, apropos of nothing.
Il didn't know you then" Justtna
fastened to vindicate herself.
After that people had a way of
drawing aside SO that Doctor Dreer
and Justina might always be together.
1t was SO obviously their wish. For.
Doctor Dreer suddenly had begun to
receive great deal of flattering at.
tention. His practice. too, was grow
ing enormously. Yet he found time
to spend many evenings with .Justina
on the big veranda where no one was
likely to intrude.
II thought" she said after a long,