Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-12-26
with her to the pier
why. Jim. you must come with
mel" she protested.

-. "AJs 0Aul. yOu luuSL COLue WIFI
mel" she protested.
"No. ! can't, little pal. Goodby."
He watched the cab roll down Fourth
street toward the pier while q great
wave Of loneliness overwhelmed him.
At night the doctor was not at home.
Stuart raped on his door next morn
ing and got no answer. The girl said
he had spent the night out-she didn't
know where.
AS Stuart was about to leave for his
Office the doctor entered. His bloodshot
eyes were sunken deep behind his
brows. his face haggard and his
shoulders dropped. Stuart knew he
had tramped the streets all night in a
stupor of hopeless misery.
Stuart took his outstretched hand
and led him into the library. II
know why you tramped the streets: the
old house is very lonely"
Il never knew what loneliness meant
before" The big hand fell in a
gesture Of despair.
Stuart pressed his hand.
Il understand. I'm younger than you,
doctor, but l. too. have walked that
way alone. You're all in: you must 20
to bed and Sleep"
When Stuart returned early from his
work in the afternoon be found a
group Of forlorn women and children
standing beside the stoop. A pale, elf.
fsh looking boy of ten, whose face ap.
peared to be five years older. sat on the
lower step crying.
whats the matter. kiddie?" he ask.
ed kindly.
: II wants de doctor-me mudder's
sick. She'll croak before mornin' eff he
don't come-dey all wants him." he
waved his dirty little hand toward the
others. He amt come around no more
for a week. The goil says we can't see
hfm-he's asleep
"Ill tell him you're here. The doc.
tors been Ill himself"
He urged the doctor to go at once to
see his patients. The work he loved
would restore his spirits. He was dunn.
founded at the answer be received.
mo, no! I'm In no mood to work. |
couldn't help them. I'd poison and kill
them all. feeling as l do today. A ply.
stefan can't heal the sick unless there's
healing in his own soul. I'd bring
death. not life. into their homes. Tell
them to go away!"
Stuart emptied his pockets Of all the
money he had in a desperate effort to
break their disappointment
"The Doctors too i'll to see you now,'
he explained. HE sent this money for
you and hopes it will help you over the
worst until he can come"
He divided the money among them.
and they looked at it with dull disap.
pointment. They were glad to get it,
but what they needed more than mon.
| ey was the hope and strength of their
friends presence.
Doctor" Stuart la an gently, 1--WE
known you for about fifteen years
You're the only father I've had in this
big town, and you've been a good one
You've been acting strangely for the
past two weeks. You're in trouble"
1.-The greatest trouble that can COM
to any human soul" was the bitter an
swer. But" he paused. and his eyes
stared at the ceiling as he groaned
i've got to bear it. What's the use tt
whiney'
Stuart stepped close and slipped his
arm about the stalwart figure. Hi:
voice was tender.
Come. doctor; you're not fooling me
I've known you too long. There's only
one man on earth for whom I'd do a.
much as ] would for you-my owl
gray haired father down south. Come
now; tell me what's the trouble?"
Stuart could feel the big form sway
and tremble under the stress Of over