Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-13
A DOO'S LIFE
By Aunt MehitabIe

keeping his engagement with her. She was so disappointed because he did not come that she forgot to wonder why he had stayed away. She did not see him for two or three days, for it seemed as if half the town was taken sick and nobody but Dr. Williams would do. She caught glimpses of him flying about in lis automobile, which might be heard at all hours of the day and night.
 He went Past the house one morn iylg when Mrs. Meggs, their cleaning woman, was at work in the parlor.
 There goes one of the best men on earth" she observed. Did you hear what he did for my Jennie's baby last Week?'
 'No. Has the baby been ill7" Ruth asked.
 Sure, we never thought shed live an hour last Wednesday night Group she had, and that bad 1t was fearful. l went a-runnin' for the doctor, and he came down and when he see how twas, he stayed all night and to0k~ care of her himself. Gentle as a woman, he was. Oh he's the good manl' she cried And there he was, all dressed up so grand, ready to 80 out to some doius, I'm thinking. but he gave it right up to save the baby. For she would have died without him
 Ruth's eyes filled with sympathetic tears. Wednesday night? So that was what kept him. Of course, he could net leave the baby. If she had known, she would not have felt so vexed with him. Mrs. Meigs was talking to her.
 Hes not much like old Dr. Bowen" she said. Jennie told him sine couldn't pay him right away. what with Jim so short of work and the coal and eV- erything to get, but he answered, oh. never mind. pay ms when you can try not to be hard on people when I know they can't pay
 'f0e you think old Dr. Bowen would have said that2 No, indeed. He's a different man altogether. But Dr. Williams-didn't he doctor old Mrs. Mullins till she died and never get a cent of pay for it? I tell you the doctors are the ones that do good in this world, taldn' care of the sick, and half the time not chargin' the folks they know can't afford to pay. Tho ministers talk about loVin' your neigrbors, but the good doctors work for them, no matter who they are, and l say it's the doin' that counts for. most"
 Ruth made no reply. She had some thing new to think about, something iA6L b4to 4lSiu LOL LitOu6IlI uuCn 6DOul before. Just at dusk that afternoon Dr. Williams appeared. He looked very tired. and he threw himself down in the big chair with a sigh of relief.
 First chance I've had to rest to- day" he said, briefly.
 Ruth and her mother, who had just come in. sat at the tea table. Pres ently Mrs, Arnold went upstairs to take off her wraps.
 Won't you let me give you another cup of tea, doctor1' Ruth asked "I knew mother would be cold and tired and made @ lot"
 Thank you; yes. It is hot and does taste good. Usually don't drink the stuff, but l didn't have time for much luncheon, and I was hungry"
 "Oh, let me give you something more substantial than waters, then?'' Ruth begged.
 NO, no: really I don't care for 1t. l am on my way home now. I'm sorry l haven't been able to see you before. I don't know what you will think of me. I started to come for you last Wednesday night but just as I was leaving got a call couldn't refuse to answer. There was & baby sick, very sick. and they needed mo. l was afraid Bowen wouldn't want to take the case, so l went, of course. And I had to stay longer than ex- pected to-"
 "Yesj and took care Of the child yourself. l heard about it." Ruth an- sWered,
 Well" he said, depreeatingly, it was the easiest way. They didn't know what te do, and it was easier to do it myself than to try to tell them, I had te work quickly. I was sorry not 10 keep my engagement with you l hope you will pardon me. l know you must have been terribly disappointed"
 'I was until l understood" she re- piled, But then I realized that my one evening of pleasure ought not to count against saving a chnd's life. It was splendid, heroic, of you"
 'fNet at all," he protested. "The folks were grateful and made a lot of fuss, but it wasn't much, after all. Anybody else would have done it. ought Rot to have asked you to go with me, I suppose. It's @ dogs life I lead, any way, I love you, Ruth, I have loved you for a long time; but 1 hardly dare ask you to marry me. l couldn't tax your patience and for bearanoe so far"
 "Oh-' she gasped.
 You don't realize what it means. No settled home life, meals at any old time; no chance to count an get ting an evening out once in a while. Oh, if I was a woman 8 doctor would be the last man on earth I'd marry. But yet I love you Ruth"
 ''How many doctors wives have felt that way, wOnderf she murmured. Did the doctors force them to ask them to marry them and lot them help in such good work?"
 Her eyes spoke with @ meaning that was clearer than her pronouns.
 'Ruth!" he cried, You mean it? You dor You can't guess how all these months I nave longed to tell you and held back because it was so much to ask and I had so little to offer"
 'Ldttle," she answered. q think 1t is good deal. It's enough for me, any way, and I-'
 But he gave her no chance to finish the sentence.