The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1912-12-05

ihe kTVuuu. having caught nre from a
burning residence next door. and that
rs he must start anew he had decided
to seek new field for his Iabors. He
wqs unmarried. and he presented IN.
questionable references.
When nc went away he had conclud.
ed very satisfactory arrangement
with Miss Mildred. He was to occupy
the south wing with It's suit OF Offices
and bedrooms overhead. aud Miss Aiii.
dred was TO furnish his meals. he not
only rented the rooms, but all the fur.
nishlnss and the late physicians L..
braiy and instruments. he said he
owned Il small automobile, which be
wonid Keep In the barn.
j The days after that were busy ones
for Miss Mildred. She worked harder
and ate less than before. aud the day
that DR.. Mason took possession OF the
rooms she was rs white as q ghost
and almost MS ethereal rs one.
He looked sharply at her as he sat
down to the luncheon she had pre-
pared. The meal was dainhly cooked
and delicious. but he noticed that she
scarcely touched morsel Of food.
Your appetite is small. Miss Lee,"
he ventured after awhile.
a think It's the weather" she smIl-
ed at him.
This crisp weather should make
You hungry he said. scanning her
with keen eyes. III You don't cat and
If you continue TO drink that strong
tea Twill find my first case within my
gates here
u dare say I'll improve" said Miss
Mildred. blushing family and rising
to bring his dessert from the buffet
Ere she could turn around she had
swayed and fallen prone upon the car.
pet.
DIR. Mason uttered an exclamation Of
pity and carried her 10 the sofa. Then
he applied few restoratives. and
when her lids were fllckering with re-
newed consciousness he left her side
and marched TO the pantry. where he
critically examined the shelves and
neered into the covered dishes.
When he left the room his brows
were knitted nnGrily. What In the
world did II mean that this sweet little
woman shonld lie starving herself to
death? Her pantry was almost as
bare as that OF poor Mother Hubbard
of nursery fame. 1t looked as IL there
had been little cooking done in that
house for many day. and the few
supplies that were contained therein
had evidently been purchased that day
against his coming.
He brought glass of wine from the
office and made her drink 1t slowly,
sitting beside her with plate of
crackers In his hand. She sat stiffly
there. red flush coming into her pale
checks. She held her fair head proud.
ly. and her eyes evaded his as II she
feared he might read the guilt therein.
"Yon arc very kind she said after
little while. 81 feel better now, DR..
Mason. hope you win pardon me
you haven't had your pudding" In.
tent on housewifely cares. she over
came her weakness and went to the
buffet
"win you have some rice puddlng?"
she asked.
Yes. please" said the doctor. resum.
ing his scat at the table. Mingled with
the professional concern in his eyes
was frank admiration OF her splendid
courage. He wondered what the mys.
terry was-why should she be living In
this comfortable home, yet starving TO
death? WINS it tile old story of the
doctor and his uncollected accounts?
He thought it over in the quiet Office
afterward. and the result Of his medi-
tatlon found fruit after dinner that
evening.
Miss Lee" he said as they arose
from the table. Il would like to use
that desk in the corner IL you do not
object There seem to be papers In
some OF the drawers aud ptgeonholes."
Il thought ! removed everything ex-
cept a few circulars" said Miss NIL
drcd. leading the way into the office.
In ono corner OF the room there stood
n tall desk surmounted by several rows
OF pigconholeS and drawers. Over the
desk hung portrait Of DR.. Lee. and
lie looked down on the pair standing
there before the desk with benevo-
lent lock IN his kind eyes.
II hope you don't object to my using
the desk" said the new doctor as he
raised the top.
"No. indeed am only too glad
TINT you can find use for It." she said.
opening the drawers and reerinG care
fully inside each one From several
she withdrew n few odds and ends Of
papers, from another several letters
and printed circulars. and from tiny
drawer in one corner she picked out q
small leather wallet.
Queer never saw father carry
that" she commented MS she stepped
back. "But of course he might have
had several wallets that knew moth.
ing about. I remember finding one
snail leather case In his vest pocket
and inside 1t was a ten dollar bill
folded away so carefully. never
could bear to use IT. she sighed.
"You still have it," asked DR.. Mason.
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