Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-13


 Hoffman? The voice was eager and insistent
 T shall be delighted, Dr. Williams, 1" Ruth answered. T have always longed to hear good music, and at last we have @ chance to hear the very best"
 'Tll come for you Wednesday eve ming, then, if I have to drive every patient out of my office and lock the door," he said, laughingly.
 Don't be quite So fierce as that she replied.
 "But, seriously, I'll try not to be late. I'll cut my office hour as much as l can. But the seats are reserved, and probably Hoffman himself won't be on time. Geniuses are seldom punc- tual"
 T will wait for you,' she promised.
 Ruth looked forward to Wednesday evening with happy anticipation. Hearing Hoffmen would be a great pleasure in itself, but she had a sneaKing conviction that the pleasure would be dOubly enhanced by Dr. Will jams company. This was the first time he had asked her te go anywhere with him.
 He had not a great deal of leisure to devote to social life. for young as he was. and not long out of school and hospital work, his practice was al- ready large and he was in great de- mand. He was gaining an enviable reputation as e capable, efficient phys ician and a fine man. He met Ruth Arnold soon after he came to Eastwood. Her mother was taken suddenly Ill and they called him At that time he had more leisure hours, and after she no longer needed his services he sometimes dropped in for a friendly chat. He and Ruth dis discovered that the liked the same kinds of books, and the mutual in- | terest led to the discovery of 50 many similar interests that he soon became @ most welcome visitor. Their ac- quaintance swiftly but surely devel- oped into friendship. with more than hint of closer intimacy, though they saw each other less and less ire Quently as time went on. Ruth knew almost nothing about his professional life, except that he was very busy and that his patients But she had very little idea of what his work was really like, for she al- most no knowledge of sickness. She did know that he was generally considered very bright, that he was popular, and that most of the impres- siOnabls girls w0rShipped him from afar, He was handsome with that fresh immaculate lock that Is so at traetive, and he was jolly and pleas ant.
 Ruth took particular pains with her toilette that Wednesday evening. Her gown was new and extremely becom- ing, and her usually pale cheeks were flushed with delicate color. When she was dressed she went down into the parlor and sat trying to read, He had warned her that he might be delayed but she began to grow impatient and to listen for the sound of his automo- bile turning the corner. About eight o'clock the telephone rang. and an Ewering the call she found it was from DF. Williams, who wanted to speak tG her.
 minutes, but l will come as soon as can," he said. T don't believe 1t will take long, I'm awfully sorry, but and really can't get out of going Can you Wait?''
 "YeE," she replied, trying to keeI the disappointment from her voice for she was disappointed that ht should not keep his engagement. He had promised so faithfully to come fol her on time, and Ruth had had little experience with uHPunctual people She went back to her chair, but this time she made ne pretence of trying to read. Her father, coming into the room half an hour later, was surprised to find ksT still there.
 T thought yeu had gene te the cen cert" he said.
 'Dr. Williams has been detained but ana expecting him every minute, she answered. He called me up 6 while ago to tell me" "Oh, well, a doctors time is never his own. He's always at the beck aIfC call of somebody else," her father an- swered. Probably somebody thought ! he was dying and sent for the doe tor"
 At half-past ten Ruth went wearilS upstairs to put herself to bed for a good cry. The concert was over; Sht could hear carriages stopping across the street, and now and then a merry call from people walking home.
 Yes; wasn't 1t a wonderful treat GGSdu ght."
 And she had missed it ala chance that might not come again in years all because Dr, Williams failed to keep his word. She had not believed that of him. Even yet she listened eagerly for the telephone bell, but nc sound broke the stiffness except g clock striking eleven somewhere. Al last she fell asleep to dream Of going to dark theaters and concert hall: that were closed to them because they arrived so late.
 She had an errand that took her oU early the next morning. She waited till she thought that Dr. Williams must have started on his round of calI but no message came from him. Wher she returned. however, her mother called to her.
 Ruth, Dr. Williams telephoned { while ago I told him you were out and he asked me to tell you that ht was sorry he wasn't able to take you 1 to the concert last evening, but 1t wal unavoidable, and he would explain tht next time he saw you" l By this time Ruth was Thoroughly hurt and vexed. He seemed to have so little sense of the importance O