Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-07-15
The Doctor : S
Patients

gentleman, with an invalid wife ana
a pretty daughter. purchased and took
possession of 1t. They seemed very
pleasant people, but slow in making
acquaintance.
Young Doctor Everson always ad-
mired the place, when he passed 1t In
his rides; but, of course, he would not
venture to call without an invitation.
However, one day, accident gave him
the desired opportunity. AS he was
riding by, the front door opened, and
Miss Bennett came tripping down the
steps.
please stop a momentl" she called
out Are you not a doctor?" she
said.
II am. Can I be Of servlce?" he
said, with his most professional air.
Yves, indeedl" was the quick an-
swer. my mother ia very III. and pa
pa not here. AS we are strangers, I
did not know whom to 60 to. 80 I
ventured to stop you
Perfectly right" said the doctor.
81 am at your disposal Immediately
Mamma" said the girl, bending
tenderly over her. "the doctor Is here
"Oh, we'll, he can't do me any good.'
was the fretful answer.
Doctor Everson stepped up and laid
his hand upon the invalid's wrist. say
Ing cheerfully: Suppose we try, any.
way. What have you been takingP"
Mrs. Bennett gave list The doctor
laughed.
rAs you ere alive after all that" he
said, there's hope yet! Now. can you
tell me your bad feelingsf"
The lady went over all her symp-
toms. and the doctor said, in that
CHEEKY tone which always brings new
life into a sick-room: THAT is better
than I hoped. You can almost cure
yourself, madam. If you will follow e
few of the simplest directions
what are they7" asked the daugh-
ter eagerly.
"Only to dispense with all meds-
cine. unless some light thing for her
nerves: eat plenty OF nourishing food;
throw these windows all open
Doctor Everson left some simple
powders, and, at the daughters re-
quest. promised to call again the next
day.
Papa will be here, and I wish you
to see him. Here are our cards." said
Miss Bennett. as she showed the doc
tor downstairs.
The doctor bowed and gave her tn
return his own card. upon which.
after he was gone. she read the name
Frank Everson, NJ. D."
To effect cure. of course. the doc
tor called frequently. And If. in SO
doing. he became more interested In
the nurse than In the patient. nobody
was the wiser.
Sometimes, to relieve the tedious
hours of duty. he took the fair nurse
out to drive, and In those pleasant
hours they grew very we'll acquainted
Mrs. Bennett had been for two
months under the doctors care, and
was 30 greatly improved that Nellie
sometimes left her, to take ramble
by herself In the pleasant fields and
woods near Rose Hill. One afternoon,
having strayed down a road which was
new to her, she came to an old mill,
the ruins of which were grass-worn
and rotten. But Nellie supposed they
would bear her light weight. and,
from mere impulse, walked out on the
Old timbers, which overhung the
stream. and stood flinglng pebbles In
20 the water, to watch the ripples they
made
She did not notice the wavering of
he timbers until, just as she turned
70 60 back, crash! went the log on
which she stood. and down went
Nellie into the stream. AS she went
down, she gave frantic clutch and
succeeded in grasping cross-timber.
which held her suspended, with her
shoulders just out Of the water.
Nellie knew that the stream was
deep. and she could not swim. She
shrleked and shrieked for help.
An instant, and a cheerful shout
rang answering back: Hold hard!
I'm coming"
Poor Nellie knew the voice, and
strove to turn her head. She saw
Doctor Everson leap from his buggy
and fling off his coat as he ran for the
creek. \ moment more, and he had
dashed into the stream, and his strong
arms held her firmly.
Nellie, with a great feeling of Sc
curity, lay passive on his broad breast,
until a few bold strokes carried them
to the shore.
81 should have come sooner If had
known you needed me-" said he.
AS he spoke, he hurriedly picked up
his coat, fastened 1t over her shoul-
ders, put her, all dripping and SILVER
ing. into his vehicle. and drove like
the wind.
AS they started. she said: Doctor.
I can't thank you. But you seem to
be near whenever l want help"