The Washington herald., 1913-12-22
DR.. YARNUM'S PROPOSAL
by JAMES HORTON WALES.


Copyright, lsl1)
Don't let any one disturb me for
half an hour" DIR. Varnum told his Of
fee boy as he sat down at his desk In an
inner ONCE. i''And close the door on
your way out. Then he deliberately
laid sheet OF note paper before him
ana regarded the end Of his fountain
pen Tor inspiration. For two days he
had been convinced that the letter ought
to be written, and for two days the
press OF professional duties had kept
him from it.
Hang 1t ALL" he muttered aloud
wish 1 could write a prescription and
be done with II. How does a man ask
girl to marry him. anyway"
Dr. Narnum was thlrty-five and had
never contemplated a proposal before
The task was harder than he had ex-
pected. For the last five or six years
he had thought that he should probably
some day want to marry Fanny Hilton.
She was the daughter of his old friend,
DIR. Hilton, who had left DR.. Varnum
at his death trustee Of Fanny's very
meager inheritance.
1t had been at his advice that she had
drawn very heavily on this money to go
through college instead of leaving
enough for a small annuity. He had told
her that she should regard her educa-
ton as an investment, so that she would
later be able to take care OF herself
knowing all the time that he proposed
to take that responsibility 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 wom-
anly grace and charm. II was this very
fact that made the task OF proposing TO
her then, because she had been so full
Of the Importance Of the occasion. Be,
sides, as she had probably never thought
Of him in the light Of a future husband.
It might be easier for her to receive the
first intimation of 1t In writing.
So he began to write: Dear Fanny:
you may" There was a loud rap
on his door. who is it?' 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. so don't scold him."
Then. after he had greeted her, the
Doctor hurried to push the letter into
a pigeonhole of his desk. GO on,
here till you are through. I have
something ever so important to talk
to you about" she said, and as the
doctor apparently did not want to
finish the letter, she went on: Il was
coming through town on my way to
a house party at the seashore and l
want to talk something over with you.
I want some good, fatherly, big-broth-
erly advice" She took both his mus
cular hands in hers as she had al
ways done, and pulled him to a seat
beside her on the lounge. Promise to
take me seriously, won't you?"
safd docfnr FAILING
rather helpless.
Il have an important announcement
to make, and you are the first person
I have told. Guess what IT is?"
You aren't going to get married?"
he said. and then, with infinite relief,
he heard her light laugh that denied it.
"Of course not, you big silly" she
said. Il am going to study medicine,
and be a doctor-like you"
For heavens sake" gasped the doc
tor. looking with amazement at her
slight, girlish figure as recollections
Of clinic and dispensary days flashed
before his mind. why. child, Fan
ny. what put that idea into your head?"
You did, of course. I want to do
the sort of work you do. Oh, I'm
strong enough, IL that is why you
hesitate" She held out one gracefully
nodded, tanned arm. Feel that mus
from tennis and rowing.
And 1 won't be squeamish. either. Why,
I've dissecting frogs all winter in the
and after that first time
when tainted I haven't minded them
at ALL Besides. have to do some |
thing. You told me an education was
better than a fortune.
The doctor was still examining the |
forearm. II thought you would prob |
ably want to marry he said. Il had !
always thought that when you finished |
college you would"
The girls laugh interrupted him. How |
funny" she said. I'm not the least
Interested in that sort of career. Any /
way" she said, sitting up very straight |
and looking him squarely in the eyes |