The Washington herald., 1913-12-22
DAILY SHORT STORY


You have never married. You needn't
preach"
That's just the point The doctor
began feeling for one passing second
that he had the cue he was waiting 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. so
the doctor told Fanny that as he had
some important professional duties for
lunch. Meantime he told her to go into
his library and amuse herself till he
could see her.
when they met again his plans were
well laid-better than Fanny dreamed.
Fanny took the advice he gave her as
final
He told her that IL she ever hoped to
succeed in medical college she would
need to harden herself. and that this
could be best accomplished by spend
ing the summer in a doctors ofice-
II will be able to take you in here"
he said. Il will pay you a small wage
and you can live In the clearinghouse
down the street. Start in tomorrow
morning, so as not TO lose any time"
Fanny protested that she had promised
to go to the house party, but the doctor
insisted that she must begin at once:
so she yielded. The next day Fanny ar
rived at the doctors ofice at $50, dressed
In a girlishly feminine summer frock,
and as she waited in the doctors Office
for him she stole a rose from the vase
on his desk and tucked il in the open
neck of her blouse.
A few minutes later the doctor came
in, his watch in his hand. He looked at
her critically. "A little late, aren't
you?' he said. not smiling. II forgot
to say that 1 expected you at or before.
And, by the way, l meant to tell you
that in view of our present relations,
shall call you Miss Hilton Please wait
in the pharmacy. where I can call for
you in case / need you"
That night at o'clock, Fanny, very
weary, was working over DR.. Varnum's
bills in the inner office. He had told her
to work there till he came back. Finally,
when he did come, Fanny jumped up to
greet him with her old girlish enthusi-
asm. But DIR. Varnum merely raised
his brows and took his chair. IF you
have finished with these, you may CO."
he said. Remember, o'clock tomor-
row."
Fanny rose and took her hat from
She hesitated for a minute, waiting for
the doctor to offer to see her to her
boarding g-house. 1T will be all right for
me to go home aIone?'' she asked at
last.
''I suppose So" said the doctor, with
out looking up. "and, by the way, Miss
Hilton" he added. Tomorrow, please,
you might wear a more professional
costume. Those frou-frous and roses are
all very well for a woman to wear at
home"
Fanny bit her lips and took the with
cred rose from her blouse and laid it on
the table.
Have 1 been at all satisfactory she
asked. suddenly feeling tears rising to
her eyes.
I'VE will hope for a little steadier
nerve tomorrow" said the doctor. 1T
was annoying to have you tucker out
this morning over a very slight office op-
Grafton. Assistance Of that sort Is hardly
a help
ut was only a beginning" Fanny
and it was very close and
warm"
1T will be much warmer later in the
season. said the doctor. He reached
across the table and closed his hand over
the rose she had taken from her breast
He kept his chair as she walked slowly to
the door. Then she turned back, the tears
standing out in her pretty tired eyes. IF
I am really a hindrance to you-perhaps
I won't ever make a good doctor at all,
she suggested.
A minute later. when Fanny dried her
eyes, she was leaning back in the doc
tors easy chair, and he was kneeling at
her side.
Fanny little girl" he said pleadingly,
Il have Just been trying to show you that
you are not fitted for it, that it is a cruel,
hard profession. l want you to be just
Fanny to me always. I want you to come
here and be everything to me that no
be-"
Fanny put her arms out and drew the
doctor TO her. TIL promise to do all that
If you will promise never, never to put
me through another day like today