The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1914-02-10

GIRL AND COUNTRY
BY SUSANNA GLENN.

Doctor Roderick opened his eyes In
sudden CONSERVATION. Had he over
slept? His head seemed weighted to
his pillow His arms, the left one in
particular, felt strangely useless, as
if they might not belong to his body
What was this? Where his eyes fell
on the floor he found himself looking
at tree-shadows across a striped rag
carpet.
One by one memories returned to
him-his hurried drive along unfamll-
lar country roads, the unexpected
downward curve, the slipping car. Il
cannot be wasting my time here, he
muttered, making an almost unbeliev-
able effort to rise.
"Oh, you must lie STILL came an
authoritative voice, and girl IN
pink cotton frock came forward hast
lily.
Did it break the carr" demanded
Doctor Roderick, sinking back because
of weakness, not of obedience.
The car is all right, believe" she
smiled
Then it is important that l be
going Isn't there man somewhere
who could go with me? l can drive
all right with little assistance, / am
sure"
You can do nothing of the sort. ="
contradicted the girl in that annoying
ly cheerful tone people use in address
ing sick people. Doctor Green says
you must keep perfectly quiet"
who is Doctor Green?" inquired
the PROSTATE man, with unconcealed
sarcasm.
He is the young doctor at the Cor
ners."
'Hum-well, 1t happens | must get
back to the city this afternoon-an Inn
portant appointment"
That is the usual thing with doc
tor, isn't it? But you see, it will be
impossible today Different arrange
ments can be made, no doubt are made
by this time, for | sent in message
that you need not be expected for sew
eral days at the least"
You sent a message? How, pray,
did you know where to send?" he in
quired sharply.
found your card. You remained
unconscious for so long that felt JUS
titled in making search for some iden-
LITIGATION"
"Of course-pardon my impatience,
but 1 am bitterly disappointed. Now
you may send another message that
will be there in two hours. And-will
you attend to getting man for me,
please?"
Il am truly sorry to refuse you, Doc
tor Roderick, but indeed can do nei-
Their. Doctor Green has particularly
enjoined absolute quiet for three
days"
Green be hanged-Tm going to get
up!"
The girl came to the bedside and
skillfully adjusted a bandage which
had hitherto escaped his notice. Can
you imagine what you would say to a
patient who acted like this. Doctor
Roderick?" she inquired, CLEAN of
merriment in her fresh face This
left arm is out Of commission, and
there is a cut up here at the back of
the head where Doctor Green has
shaved the hair away; and altogether
you are a most promising proposition
to the profession. So now you must
lie here patiently and take what you
are in the habit of giving other peo-
pie"
Il am going to get up"
Very well, you will find your
clothes in the closet" And she went
out and closed the door
OF course he could not get up, I'M
assisted. He knew that before he
tried Still, he did try. 81 guess she
is right he muttered at last. IF
saw a fellow acting like this, I'd say
he was natural fool. This has been
a terrible disappointment, but I'll have
to make the best of it. That is quite
a girl to be living in this forsaken
place. There is something familiar
about her face or her voice-what is
it,"
He drifted into refreshing slumber
and woke to find the soft autumn twi-
light darkening the room A middle
aged woman in plain print gown
was bringing in his supper. 81 fear |
offended your daughter this after
noon" he said. Il expect was un-
reasonable"
Mildred? Oh, she'll soon get over
It, She said you were the most un-
reasonable man she ever saw" agreed
the woman, cheerfully.
so you think I'm unreasonable.
Miss Mildred?" the doctor demanded
next morning, when the girl again ap-
peared
Il am quite positive you are" she
replied, calmly. Undoubtedly an eve
ming paper seems useless to you when
it is twelve hours old, but we have to
be content with it that way, here.
Shall | read to your"
do anything rather than leave me
here alone hours at a stretch" he
pleaded.
Haven't you always insisted it does
a patient good to reamin a greater
part of the time unattended?"
How do you know that?" he in
quired quickly.
Most doctors do hold such views
find, until they are i'll themselves" she
explained, demurely.
HUM" grimly grunted the doctor.
On the third morning, when he was
still refused action, Doctor Roderick
felt that patience had ceased to be a
virtue. Whats the matter with that
Green fellow, anyway" he blustred
See here, Miss Mildred, you have sim
ply got to send a message for me to-
day"
Doctor Green said expressly this
morning that you were to be kept
quiet at least one day longer, so you
must forgive me if | listen to the at
tending physician rather than to the
imperative patient, Doctor Roderick."
What in thunder does Green know
about my business?" he roared angrily.
I'm beg your pardon for this, after a
while, but declare to you, it is more
than a man could endure decently to
have an important little bantam of a
country doctor interfering with his
affairs in this fashion"
Doctor Roderick," the girl stood up.
her eyes flashing, Doctor Green has
| done his best for you-and a very
good best If l am judge. He may
be lacking in renown, but he is not
lacking in skill You have been a bad
patient all the way through. and |
| strongly suspect you are a domineer-
ing physician. | suppose you never
had to struggle like other young men
in your profession-were never thank
| full for a liberal fee or an influential