Putnam patriot., 1914-10-23

you away
 Well I'm a doctor, and l must go when Pm called. IL is sometimes a case of life or death." he added sravely.
 "Oh. of cougse. l know that l didn't mean exactly what l said But I do hope you won't he called away today before the wedding breakfast"
 ''So do | Do you really want me tC stay?'
 "Of course | do Oh. isn't it lot of fun. though: Don't you just love wed dingsy" she went on. with coquet- tishness that made it difficult for Dr. Winoughby not to take her in his arms and carry her off to the hymeneal al tar there and then.
 Do you love weddings?" he coun. tered with desperate effort at self control.
 T should say so" replied Joan. Pm as nervous as if 1 were going to be married myself"
 And would you really be nervous if you were going to be married your self. JoanY'
 Indeed should. Wouldn't you be-"
 "I should be wild with happiness. If that's what you mean he answered. sitting little closer to her.
 There was a pause. The doctor couldn't think of anything else to say just then. and Joan was turning some thing over in her mind. as was evil deneed by her next remark:
 "You and James Cluney have been chums for long time. haven't your
 Yes"
 Always together whenever your profession and his business didn't in terfere?''
 "Yes. Joan
 Wont you be rather lonesome now that he is going to be married?" she whispered and the lashes dropped ov.., her bright eyes while the pink came and went in her transparently fair cheeks.
 Dr. Willoughby looked at her steadily while he fumbled in his pockets and finally brought cut d folded paper of official looking aspect. He opened this paper and spread it before her ere he answered her question:
 "Yes. shall be lonesome. as you say. So this morning 1 went down town and got marriage license.
 Joan drew away from the paper as if she were afraid of it and gasped:
 "A marriage license! Why, whatever for?'
 Don't you think your sister and my friend James Cluney are setting us an example that we should profit byT' And there was a world of love ill his eyes.
 Why. what do you mean. doctor! asked Joan. in a pretty flutter of fear and perplexity and perhaps another and softer emotion.
 Now. don't call me doctor" he pleaded. You know my name, and you know my sentiments. Joan, my dear. l can't stand this much longer and his voice shook as he proceeded. I'm madly in love with you. and you know it."
 What? Oh. doctor,'
 "Yes. and you're madly in love with me" he added boldly as his arm stole around her waist.
 She jumped up as the door to the hall opened and Mir. Carr looked in. He went away again at once. But he had stopped the poor young man at a critical moment Dr. Willoughby stuff- ed the license into his pocket and nut tered angrily:
 Deuce take him. l nearly had her. That old mans always in the way
 What were you saying?' asked Joan naively.
 "Oh. 1 can't tell you here. Let's go into the dining room. There's nobody there. But really. Joan
 "Hushr she said. Don't talk so loud. Wait till we are in the dining room
 "All right Only it seems to ne that you are always telling me to wait" he complained. But I'm going to finish what started to say. either in the din ing room or somewhere else.
 "I don't know whether want to hear it." she gggled. At least until We have found Madges bracelet
 Well. then. it's up to me to find the bracelet. 1 suppose" he returned as , they disappeared very close together on their way to the dining room
 For several seconds somebody had been waiting at the door from the kitchen regions for the doctor and Joan to go out of the library. The somebody had cautiously pushed the door open an inch or two. watching and ready to retreat if by any chance either of them had moved in that di rection.
 Now that the coast was clear the door opened wide. and the person whe had been waiting. none other than ths pretty lady's maid Nellie Jones. came in with large bundle in her arms The bundle contained articles of irreg uIar shape and unyielding substance and il all jingled as Nell walked acros' the room to the closet where Jack Doc gan was hiding. Nell opened the closet door gently and as she did so Jack Doogan stepped forward, bis ponderous left hst poise' to strike. He dropped his list hurried ly when he saw who it was.
 -Gee. Nell. came near landing oI ron that time. kid. You want to knoei when YOU come into my room
 Hush. Jack whispered the girl a.o on and beat it If you don't wei be nabiled sure
 Not on your life. kiddo.' was Jaci