The Washington herald., 1913-11-06
GIRL OFTHE SHORE LOCKS
By CATHERINE CoopER.

BY CATHERINE COOPER.
The slight tlgure standing outside the
doctors door YVES strangely appealing.
Not only physical weakness was evident
there. but a forlorn, urgent need was
plainly written In the white, delicate
face.
geon found himself opening the door
wider and permitting the little hgure TO
enter the waiting room that connected
with the doctors operating ROOM After
that he withdrew. and. as he closed the
door. he saw the boyish frame sink down
into the great chair by the window.
1t might have been ten minutes later,
or even an hour, before DR.. Wilde en-
tered the waiting room. 1t was not his
hour at home and he at first supposed
the room to be empty. He stopped on
the threshold and then went swiftly
over to the tumbled heap of humanity
that scarcely filed the big chair.
The delicate face against the cushions
might have been that OF a woman, yet
the attire proclaimed the opposite.
DR.. Wilde. picked the unconscious fig-
ure up in his arms. A thrill swept him
from head to foot.
"A woman!" he whispered with un-
conscious tenderness. A woman in this
garb." He gazed down at the face up
turned against his shoulder. "And yet
not a woman-only a child
When Diana opened her eyes she
thought just for a moment that she had
lost the dear life she priced so highly.
and that the wonderfully compassionate
face bending over her was one of the
angels
so! You have weakened" a voice
reached her ears. She then glanced
wonderingly from the man to the white
surgeons Jacket that he wore. A smile
Of infinite relief followed her INSPECTION
''Then-I am here-really here?" she
half-questioned and closed her eyes. The
velvet fingers brushing he= brow were
very restful. Il have come miles and
miles to see you" Diana continued. 81
have sold my clothes, my hair, and every
thing / possessed have stolen rides on
freight trains and tramped day after
day-all to see you" She smiled oddly.
And why?' questioned the doctor
"Because I want desperately to live,"
she told him, and Q little tragic note had
crept into her voice. 'I want to live
and breathe joyously as other people do,
but there is something in my head-a
bone or something-that prevents a prop
er current OF air." Her great eyes be-
came serious. II have Just been fading
away-for lack Of air."
In spite Of himself the doctor WINGED.
I'VE will take out that troublesome
bone Is less than no time he said, try
ing TO speak cheerfulIy. But first you
must gain a little strength. You see,
you tainted from sheer weakness"
Diana sat up and a troubled look swept
across her eyes. IT have only so. i
is all 1 could get for my hair and I
thought II would pay you" She paused
a moment. II wanted to get the op-
GRAFTON over as quickly as possible SO
that I can go TO work"
Page, the doctors man servant, en-
tered the room with a cup Of steaming
milk.
Drink this" DR.. Wilde commanded,
gently. After that 1 will hand you
over to my sister. She loves just such
little vagabonds as you. Perhaps she
will find you some proper garments and
some light work about the house"
While she was slipping the hot milk,
he questioned her about her masquerade.
TT is SO much easier to beat ones
way il one is a boy" she told him
Something inside of me de-
that I seek you out. had
heard your name so often in the little
felt that you were the only surgeon of
whom I would not be afraid"
"1t is only the nervous state you are
IN that makes you fearful. Any doc
tor could have taken out that trouble
some bit of bone" He gazed regret
fully at the shorn, FURNISHED head. Il
am sorry you sacrificed a beautiful
head OF hair-It was in no way neces-
sary"
He watched a tear trickle through
The girls Iashes. but her lips refused
10 second the emotion; instead, they
surled up at the corners.
Il wanted to live" she said softly.
The doctor laughed quickly. perhaps
because of a lump in his throat.
TT is just a wonder you were not
arrested and flung into q dark prison
for masquerading in boys clothes"
Even that would not have bothered
ne so long as I was alive" Diana re-
;ponded quickly. She sat up straight
low, and the doctor watched a dainty
pink creep stealthily into her cheeks.
That bit of color had so odd an effect
lpon DR.. Wilde's emotions that cold
'eason bade him send the girl forth :
With to his sister.
Alice Whilde's charities were varied
md numerous. When she caught sight
II the slim, shrinking figure that