The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1913-01-22


room. He did not reply at once, and
when he did, II was with one of his
turns toward an ap
parently irrelevant topic.
Have you seen Sister Susan?" he |
inquired, stopping by the side OF
Agatha's couch and looking down on
her with his shrewd gaze. II was a
needless question, for he knew that
Agatha had not seen Mrs Stoddard. !
She had been too weak and Ill to see
anybody. Agatha shook her head.
We'll, Miss Agatha Redmond.
Susans the nurse we need for that
young gentleman over there. It's con-
slant care he must have now, day and
night; and If he gets well, II will be
good nursing that does IL. There isn't
nurse in this country like Susan,
when she once takes hold of a case.
That Mr.. Hand in there is all right,
but he can't sit up much longer night
and day, as he has been doing. And
he isn't woman. Don't know why
II Is, but the Lord seems bent on
throwing sick men into women's
hands-as IL they weren't more than
match for us when we're WE'LL"
Agatha's humorous smile rewarded
the doctors grim comments, IL that
was what he wanted.
mo, doctor" she said, with fleet
ing touch of her old lightness, we're
never match for you. We may en-
terrain you or nurse you or feed you,
or possibly once in century or two
inspire you; but we're never a match
for you"
For which Heaven be praised!"
calculated the doctor fervently.
| Agatha watched him as he fumbled
nervously about the room or clasped
his hands behind him under his long
coat.tails. The greenish-black frock-
coat hung untidily upon him, and his
white fringe of hair was anything but
smooth. She perceived that some
thing other than medical problems
troubled him.
would your sister-would Mrs.
Stoddard-be willing to come here to
take care of Mr.. Hambleton?" she ven
tured.
"Ask me that" snapped the doctor,
when no man on earth could tell
whether she'll come or not She says
she won't. She's hurt and she's out.
ragged; or at least she thinks she Is
But If you could get her to think that
1t was her duty to take care of that
poor boy in there, she'd come fast
enough"
Agatha was puzzled. She felt as II
there were a dozen ways to turn ant
only one way that would lead hel
Alright; and she could not find the
clue to that one right way. At las
she attacked the doctor boldly.
"Tell me, Doctor Thayer," she sale
earnestly, "just what it is that cause!
Mrs. Stoddard to feel hurt and out
ragged. Is it simply because l hav,
!, inherited the money and the house
She can not possibly know anythin,
about me personally
The old doctor thrust his under jaw
out more belligerently than ever
while turning his answer over in hi
mind. He took two lengths of tn
room before stopping again b.
Agatha's side and looking down o.
her.
"She says it isn't the money, bu
that it's the slight Hercules put upo
her for leaving the place, our oil
home, out of the family. That's on
| thing; but that isn't the worst. Susan
} orthodox, you know, very orthodox
and she has prejudice against you
profession-serving Satan, she call
it, She thinks that's what actresse
and opera singers do, though how sh
. The grim smile shone in the doctor
eyes even while he looked hal
: anxiously, to see how Agatha was tai
ing his explanation of Mrs. Stoddard
attitude. Agatha meditated a M
ment.
"If it's merely prejudice In tn
abstract against my being an oper
singer, think she will overcome tina
Besides, Mr.. Hambleton is neither a
actor nor an opera singer; he ism
serving Satan"
well" the doctor hesitated, an
then went on hastily, with gre;
show of irritation, "Susan's lit
set in her views. She disapproves I
the way you came here; says yc
shouldn't have been out in a boat wit
two men, and that it's a judgment II
sin, your being drowned. or next dot
to 1t. I'm only saying this. my del
Miss Agatha, to explain to you WI
Susan"
But Agatha was enlightened at las
and reused sufficient to cause two n
spots, brighter than they had ev'
been in health, to burn on her cheek
She sat up very straight. facing Do
tor Thayer's worried gaze. and int
rupted him In tones ringing wi
anger.
do you mean to tell me. Doct
Thayer. that your sister. the sister
my mothers lifelong friend. sits
har houaa and imaeinas scandalOl