The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-05-22
THE N STORY
THE DOCTOR AND ELyIRA.

sat list in planning. -.alvira rolled and
unrolled her apron nervously, biting
her lip and blinking her eyes.
couldn't you pretend to he engaged"
the doctor began hopefully.
Elyira fiared up at him. Who to-"
never to have him call or anything.
How long would it fool her. do you
think? No. l can't pre- Tend"
The doctor nodded and climbed u
of the buggy. That's So" he admit
ted. Well, I guess I'll go up and see
When he came down he was look
ing sober. He glanced around the lit
to find her he went through the house
to the kitchen. She was peeling po-
tatoes at the sink and went on with
out looking up as he came in. No
one could guess the shame and bitter
ness of Elvira's heart. The recogni-
ton and admission of her old maid
hood was trial by fire. The doctor
came over and put his big hand on her
slender shoulder. "She's pretty bad
off. Elvira," he said. gently.
Vira turned to look at him in stupe-
faction. At the revelation of the tear
traces on her cheeks the doctor looked
away through the open door.
There was no outcry, no Mysteries.
Elvira turned back to her peeling, n
load the more on her heavy heart.
Look here. Elvira." the doctor said
awkwardly. Couldn't You and me pre-
tend-just while she needs it? TIN
comfort her more than you know, and
no one else needs to know it,"
"No," admitted Elvira slowly, mo
one else would ever know it. Mas so
sharp tongued she's hardly had a Wis
itor this year. but No, 1 can't!"
Look here" the doctor said sternly.
you're not thinking Of your ma:
you're thinking Of yourself. It's all
she needs to send her away happy.
your fool pride you're a" he drew
a long. deep breath. well. there
wouldn't be anything too bad to call
YOU"
"All right" snapped Elvira; then
she began to sob. 1--WE lowered my
self this far. I suppose it don't make
much difference now how far 1 go"
The doctor looked at her wonder
ingly. We'll. you do beat" he be-
gan and then stopped. I'm going u.
this minute" he said.
"What for?" Elvira demanded
sharply.
The doctor turned toward the stairs.
ITO tell her 1 love you and to ask
her for you.' he replied.
Elvira. left alone 1 nthe kitchen,
threw her apron over her head and
sobbed. "To tell her l love you," she
whispered softly. Even in pretense
she realized the wonder of the words
n felt at ono abased and glorified.
Half an hour later the doctor came
down smiling. "She's as happy" he
whispered, triumphantly. "she want
ed to know why you didn't come up,
too. but / said you were kind Of en-
barrassed. and she let it go. She told
me-" he broke off and wiped his
head. We'll. TIL be jogging along"
he said. awkwardly. Old Mis- Talbot
had told him innumerable tales of Ell
vira's babyhood. tales she had been
%treasuring for Just this day. At the
pathos of it the doctors eyes grew wet.
Elvira. leaning against the door janb
looked up at him unsmiling. He turn
ed and hurried out.
cav, go on. Dolly. get up" the
doctor said as he tapped the lines.
Dolly walked slowly, her driver buried
in thought.
"Elvira must h ave been a kind cute
baby" the doctor said to himself. won
deringly. "she amt bad looking
now. Lord. how'll she live On alone?
Those stories of the baby Elvira made
her seem something to love and pro-