The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-02-06
Or. ORAY10M'S PATIENT
Copyright, 1915, by the Mcclure Newspa-
BY JEAN DICKERSON.

Copyright. 1915, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)
Doctor Drayton dismissed his last
patient just as the telephone at his
| elbow rang sharply. His sisters voice
came over the wire, frightened with
a burden of important news.
Il know you are dreadfully busy.
Frederick" she apologized, but Mrs.
Weeks has just told me the most
agitating thing-it's about Archer"
Spare me, Hannah" said the doc
tor, wearily. Il don't just under
stand why 1t is that people delight
In acquainting me with news of my
sons delinquencies; as a matter Of
| fact, Archer has overcome any ten
dency to wildness and has settled
down to hard work. / have hopes Of
his becoming something Of lawyer.
Now, II you will excuse me-what?-
eh? An actress? Well. boys will be-
boys-and er-well, good-by!" He
banged the telephone back on the
desk and frowned at the picture of his
handsome only son that looked down
from the wall.
Hannah says very common
actress! That doesn't sound like
Archer-but what can l do? l can
refuse to give my consent to his mar
riage with the woman and estrange
myself from my lad! What 10 that.
Harris, CALI"
Yes, sir" said the attendant.
Emergency case-the lady was
knocked down by an automobile and
| they brought her in here. / had her
taken to the private room"
That is right, Harris. will
come at once"
The physician slipped into a fresh
white coat and, opening a door in
one corner Of the Office found him.
self in small room fitted for emer-
gency cases.
On the narrow white bed was the
slender form of a young woman Miss
Smith, the nurse, was removing the
black broadcloth costume with quick,
deft fingers.
Badly hurt, Miss Smith," asked
the doctor.
"A broken arm, I think, and am
afraid Of concussion," she said in O
low tone.
The doctor leaned over the lovely
unconscious face of the girl and made
a rapid examination.
1T may be concussion, but / think
1t Is only shock. The arm is fractured
send Harris in"
Two hours later Doctor Drayton
retired from the sick room satisfied
that the unknown patient would re-
cover.
"You will, of course, send her to Q
hospital suggested Miss Smith.
Il think not" hesitated the doctor.
He felt very tenderly toward the
young thing lying there on the bed.
A week slipped by, and still the sick
room was occupied, much to the un-
spoken amazement of Miss Smith.
One day the patient opened lovely
hazel eyes and smiled at the nurse.
Where am II" she asked family.
AT Doctor Drayton's house." re-
piled Miss Smith primly.
The eyes closed again and faint
flush stole over the pale face. Please
tell me what has happened" she
murmured
Miss Smith told her in a few words
of the automobile accident in front
Of the doctors office. I'VE have
been unable to learn your name," she
suggested.
Alice" murmured the girl. and
went OF to sleep.
Have you discovered her manner"
asked the doctor on his next visit to
the sick room.
Merely that 1t is Alice-sne seems
disinclined to talk-it's rather a mys-
terious case. Doctor Drayton. Per-
haps she has no home-no people"
Il wish she hadn't would adopt
her in a minute" said the doctor
grufiy as he left the room
He found his son smoking in the
library.
"Hullo, dad, rushed as usual, SUD.
poser" said the young man as he re-
turned his fathers hand grip.
"Yes-and / have rather a puzzling
private case In the house."
A tap came at the door and Harris
poked a disturbed face inside.
Il beg your pardon, Doctor Drayton,
But Miss Smith wants you to come
once-the patient insists on leaving
the house and has demanded her
clothes, and Miss Smith doesn't know
what to do"
Archer followed his father into the
hall
Near the front door stood Miss
Smith. her arms stretched across the
doorway barring the departure of the
young patient who had donned her
street clothes and was standing pale
and silent before the nurse.
"Madame!" expostulated Doctor
Drayton.
'Alice!" cried Archer sharply.
In a moment Alice was in his arms
and hiding a b,ushing disturbed face
on his broad shoulder.
Record Diamond Drill.