Putnam patriot., 1912-02-02
Fur Neck Pieces

Its mean to laugh" objected May, soberly. Did you say that he was a doctor, Martha? Is he good man. and all that?"
 "Dr. Paul Jeffries is as good as gold," Martha's head went up with a proud little air. Everybody speaks we'll of him. And he has worked hard and has quite a practice. Oh, there he is, passing now! Look! Look"
 All three rushed to the window and peeped from behind the curtain at the automobile darting past.
 Its a dear little car," whispered Reba.
 He has a nice face" commented May. '1'd do something. Martha, I wouldn't let it go on this way
 Yes. but what?"
 "A few centuries ago." declared Reba you would have sent him a bottle of poisoned wine, taken a dose yourself and ended the affair in that neat way. What a pity that common sense has taken such a hold of mod  pletely."
 "The common sense thing to do" suggested May, lis to write note and ask him what the matter is
 q won't do that if I never find out! I've little pride left, I hope
 Then persuade Aunt Ada to have a neuralgia attack and send for him professionally"
 He knows she would never have any one but old Dr. Benjamin
 Give the cook a deadly dose and VOW she made you call him."
 He might not get here, and I'm not used to deadly doses; she's too good cook to sacrifice"
 If we were going to be in town a while, instead of just passing through and lunching with you. I'd plan a campaign of some sort" unused Reba. "Oh, dear, it's time to start now. if we are going to make that 30 train"
 "0f course, this is in the strictest confidence" warned Martha, as they parted at the station T wouldn't breathe a word to any one else for worlds, but you girls are more like sisters than cousins, and I just had to tell you"
 "0f course. agreed Reba, sympa- thetieally And if l think of anything I'll write at once. In the meantime. whatever you do, Martha. be practical and daring, humorous if possible That's the modern method of doing things, and I must say it seems to be effeetual!" The twins waved a last adieu and the train bore them swiftly of
 Martha turned away, her mind full of the conversation of the afternoon. Instead of going directly home. she turned rather aimlessly into a side street. She wanted to think it all cut again, though there was not a single part of her dilemma that she had not gone over many times before. She hated to own, even to herself, how much she cared. but she did care very much. She admitted it with a little catch of the heart
 And she was sure that he did, too. That was the queer part of it all. The man loved her, she knew he did. There were a thousand little ways of telling. And they had been so happy together. so eongenial from the begin ming. A sudden moisture blurred her eyes
 Martha winked quickly to clear her vision, turned corner, and halted abruptly with surprise at what she saw. Dr. Jeffries' little empty run about stood before her at the curb. Evidently the doctor was making s call inside the house.
 With the sight. a swift idea leaped into Martha's head.
 Practical. daring, humorous. I'll do itl@ She looked carefully around to see If she were observed. IL was a quiet unfashionable neighborhood. no one happened to be passing. Martha walked up to the car and seated her. self beside the drivers seat