The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-22
TEE EVENING STORY
Dr.. varnn's Proposal
(By James Horton Wales. J


(By James Horton Wales.)
Don't let any one disturb me for
half an hour" DR.. Varnum told his
ONCE boy - he sat down 1t his desk
in an inner office. And close the
door on your way out" Then he de-
liberately laid q sheet Of note paper
before him and regarded the end OF
his fountain pen for Inspiration. For
two days he had been convinced that
two days the press Of professional
duties had kept him from 1t.
Hang It ALL" he muttefed aloud.
Wish I could write prescription
and be done with It How does a man
ask girl to marry him. any way?"
DR.. Varnum was thirty-five and had
never contemplated q proposal before.
The task was harder than he had axe
pected. For the Last I'VE or six years
he had thought that he should prob
ably some day want to marry Fanny
Hilton. She was tho daughter Of his
old friend. Dr.. Hilton, who had left
DR.. Varnum at his death trustee Of
Fannys very meager inheritance.
1t had been at his advice that she
had drawn very heavily ON this mon
ey to go through college instead Of
leaving enough for q small annuity.
He had told her that she should re-
gard her education a. an investment.
SO that she would later be able to take
care Of herself-knowing all the time
that he proposed to take that respon-
sibility himself when the time came.
And now the time had come. He had
seen her on the day Of her graduation
from college full OF Womanly grace
and charm. 1t was this very fact
that made the task Of proposing 20
difficult. He hadn't spoken to her
then because she had been 80 fun Of
thu q ~ hA u
sides. as she had probably never
thought Of him In the light Of q fu-
ture husband, 1t might be easier to re-
ceive the first intimation Of 1t In writ
ing.
So he began. to write: Dear Fam
rap son. his door. "Who u itf'' he
called back sternly. Then he heard
Fanny's voice on the other side.
william said you didn't want to be
disturbed" she said. $50 don't scold
him.
Then, after he had greeted her. the
doctor hurried to push the letter into
please" said Fanny: Il win just wait
hero till you are through. have
something ever 20 important to talk
to you about" she said. and as the
doctor apparently did not want to nm
ish the letter. she went on, 'T was
coming through town on my way to a
house party at the seashore ana I
I want some good. fatherly. big
brotherly ADVICE She took both his
muscular hands in hers ~ she had al
ways done and pulled him to a seat
beside her ON the lounge. Promise
to take me seriously. won't your"
II promise" said the doctor. feel
Ing rather helpless.
ST have an important announce
ment to make and you are the first
person I,have told. Guess what 1t fs''
you aren't going to get married ?''
he said, and then with infinite relief
he heard her light laugh that de-
MED it.
"of course not, you big silly" she
said. II am going to study medicine.
and be q doctor-like you"
FOR heavens sake" sasped the
doctor. looking with amusement at
her slight. girlish figure a. recollecl
lions of clinic and dispensary days
flashed before his mind. why, child,
Fanny: what put that idea into your
"You did. Of course. want to do
the sort Of work you do Oh. I'm
strong enough, IL that is why you hes
itate." She held out ono gracefully
nodded tanned arm. Feel that mus
cle-that's from tennis and rowing.
And won't be squeamish. either.
Why. I've dissected frogs all winter In
laboratory, and after the first time
when tainted haven't minded them
at all. Besides, have to do some
thing. You told mo an education was
better than a fortune"
The doctor was still examining the
forearm ''I thought you would prob
always thought that when you nm
ished college you WOULD
The girls laugh interrupted him.
How funny" ohe aid. "I'm not the
east interested in that sort Of career.
Anyway" she said. sitting up very
straight and looking him squarely in
the eyes. you have never married
You needn't preach
That's Just the point the doe
tor began. feeling for one passing Sec
ond that he had the cue he was watt
ing for, but FAnny's nimble tongue got
ahead Of his.
you are going to Let me, aren't
you? Now what want you to do is
to decide on the medical college and
tell me some books to read during the
summer"
Apparently the cue was not coming,
80 the doctor told Fanny that as he
ties for the morning. they would talk
It over at lunch. Meantime he told
her to 60 into his library ana amuse
herself TIL he could see her.
When they met again his plans
were well lsid-better than Fanny
dreamed Fanny took the advice he |
He told her that II she ever hoped
to succeed In medical college she
that this could b. best accomplished |
BY spendlng The summer n doctor'si
II win be able to take you in here.-l
- ri