Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1914-11-05
By NARY ROBERTS RINEHART
Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure Publications. In.
Copyright, 1914, by Mary Robr5 Rlnehart.

my decision to sign as a sailor on the
Ella.
One OF the bright spots OF that long
hot summer was McWhirter. We had
graduated together In June. and in
October he was to enter IL hospital in
Buffalo as a resident. But he was as
INDECENT as /. and from June to Octo-
Der is four months.
-Four months" he said to me. Even
at W meals a day. boy, that's some
thing over 24O. And l can eat four
times a day without a struggle.
Wouldn't you think M OF these over
Observation-Disclosures dubs
would take a vacation and give me a
chance to hold down his practice?"
Nothing Of the sort developing, Nc
Whittier went into a drug store and
managed to pull through the summer
with unimpaired cheerfulness, confd-
ing to me that be secured his lunch
cons free at the soda counter.
McWhirter it was who got me my
berth on the Ella. 1t must have been
about the Goth Of July. for the Ella
sailed Oh the 2Sth. was strong enough
to leave the hospital. but not yet physi-
cally able for any prolonged exertion.
McWhirter, who was short and stout,
had been alternately flirting with the
nurse as she moved in and out prepar-
ing my room for the night and sizing
me up through narrowed eyes.
NO" he said. evidently following a
private line Of thought. you don't be-
long behind a counter. Leslie. I'm
darned II ] think you belong in the
medical profession. either. The British
lrmy'd suit you"
"The-what"
you know - kipling idea riding
horseback. head of a column-undress
uniform-colonel's wife making eyes at
~you-leading last hopes and all that"
THE British army with Kipling
trimmings being out Of the question,
the original issue is still before US.
III have to work. Mac. and work like
the devil. If I'm to feed MYSELF"
There being no answer to this. Nc
Whirter contented himself with eying
me.
I'm thinking" / said. "of going to
Europe. The sea is calling me, Mac"
$50 was the grave a month ago, but
it didn't get YOU. Don't be an ass.
boy. How are you going to sea?"
Before the mast" This apparently
conveying no meaning to McWhirter.
supplemented "as a common sailor"
He was indignant at first. Offering
me his room and a part Of his small
salary until l got my strength. Then
he became dubious. and. finally. so
we'll did ! paint my picture Of long,
idle days on the ocean. Of sweet. cool
nights under the stars. with breezes
that purred through the sails. rocking
the ship to slumber-fnally he waxed
enthusiastic and was even for giving
up the pharmacy at once and sailing
with me.
He had been fitting out the store
room of a sailing yacht with drugs. he
Informed me and doing it under the
personal direction of the owners wife.
1--WE made Il hit with her. he con-
ided. 'Since she's learned I'm a grad
uate M. D. she's letting me do the
whole thing. I've made up some To-
tons to prevent sunburn and that sea-
sick prescription of old Larimer's. and
she thinks I'm the whole cheese. I'll
suggest you as ships DOCTOR"
"How many men In the crew%
Eight. | think. or ten. It's a small
boat and carries Il small crew."
''Then they don't want Il ships doc.
tor. II l 80 ri go as a sailor" l said
firmly. "And | want your word, Mac.
not a word about me. except that ! am
honest"