The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-05-28
The EDening Story
Miss Sargent's Cure.


He shook his head.
mot without her help, Mrs Sar-
gent, he said gravely- II she ma
the slightest desire to get better
he paused tentatively.
THAT wretched affair with Ralph
Deering-I can speak freely to you,
DIR. Lane, because you know all ABOUT
it! OF course, no one outside OF the
family knew that they were engaged,
and Elsie was saved that humiliation,
but the shock of his jilting her and
the sudden announcement of his mar
riage to Barbara Kent were too much
for the child'si sensitive soul. Who
can blame her if she has no desire 20
live?''
''Pooh-fiddlesticks shifted the
bluff doctor, patting Mrs. Sargent on
a plump shoulder. ELSIE is young
and this is her first love affair-it
must not be her last; it is our duty
to see to that-yes.e yours and mine!
Before she grieves herself out of the
world, you and I. Mrs Sargent, must
endeavor to create a new interest Tor
live forever"
What can we do?" asked Elsie's
mother.
IT have an idea which I will ex-
plain later, and now, good afternoon
and don't. worry!"
Early the next morning Mrs. Sar-
gent came into Elsie's sickroom with
troubled face.
"Dearie, you are to have a new doc
tor today" she announced when the
nurse had left the room. ''Dr. Lane
has been called to New York and
young DR.. Phelps is taking care of
his practice. L hope you don't mind.
Elsie shook her golden head. She
didn't mind anything any more-not
since that awful day when Ralph had
called her on the telephone and nerv-
ously announced that he had just mar
ried Barbara Kent; that she must not
L., orfh a r Y
about, anyway. In view of his be-
havior this last remark was entirely
superfluous, but Elsie did mind. She
had just .swooned away in the library,
and for weeks the doctor and her de-
voted family had tried to keep her
from drifting away into eternity.
'.It doesn't matter, mother, she
whispered, and turned her face to the
WALL
At O'Clock that afternoon DR..
Phelps made his first call at the Sar-
gents pretty home.
He sat down at the bedside, scan
ned the nurses report and nodded APP
prevail Then he lifted Elsie's white
little hand and laid his strong, warm
fingers on the feeble pulse. Mean
while he regarded the pale face on the
pillow with queer expression IN his
cool, gray eyes.
The nurse had taken care that Elsie
should look charming. Miss Whelan
was middle-aged and still romantic,
which might have explained why she
had put her patient into her frilliest
cap. The blue ribbons were no bluer
than Elsie's pathetic eyes. The doc
tor realized that when the dark lashes
lifted and disclosed them.
FEELING better, eh ?'' breezed DR..
Phelps.
Elsie's eyes widehed eversso slightly.
She shook herehead. II feel about as
usual" she murmured.r9
Ill l. h..
cause she was interested in the vision
of tall, broad-shoulderCd young men.
black haired and gray eyeds with sun
tanned face and hands, who was wear
ing white flannels. A tennis racquet
was tossed on a chair beside his white
felt hat.
You don't look bit like a doctor:'
she said, to her own amazement.
You don't look a bit like sick
girl" retorted DR.. Phelps, cheerfully. |
Elsie was interested.
But l am ILL., she protested. f'l
am very, very ill-and you ought to
know it, DR.. Phelps with growing
oetulence.
That's the trouble don't see
much the matter with you, save that
ot of nourishing things-and to go
Down to the club and hold your repu- |
-ation in the singles-
Elsie sat up in bed, rose pink
waving III ner cno0kS. I6nn1S SIN |
sles?" she repeated. ''Who is en-
cred for the notch? Not Myra Hat |
ield?"
cred for the match? Not Myra Hat
ield has strong hopes of taking the |
,up from you. I'm downright sorry, |
90, Miss Sargent, for they tell me you |
play a corking game. Well, let me !
get down to business. I'll have to test |
hat heart action"
After he had applied the stethe- |
r0DlaoR6
ooked very cheerful.
Hearts all right, Miss Sargent. |
Don't worry. Miss Hatfield may not |
AIRY off the cup after ALL"
"She wouldn't have a ghost of a !
chance if 1 could only get out" was |
tlsie's confident answer. when does |
he match come off, DR.. Phelps? I've |
oSt all track of time
mot for eight weeks"
81 wonder-do you think if I am
yery, very careful that I might be
veil enough to play?" she asked visit
ully.
do you want top
DO I?'' She smiled adorably.
Then you can-that's all there is
o it. You can do anything you like
f you only. want to hard enough.
Think that over Miss Sargent
He held her hand in his warm clasp
or moment, smiled down into her
yes, picked up his hat and racquet
md disappeared with the nurse into
he hall.
Elsie gazed after him, conscious of
IN acute pang of jealousy that Myra
Hatfield could play tennis with DIR.
Phelps while she, the woman cham
ZION of her club, had to lie in bed.
\ sudden terror smote her that she
night die after all. She had so earn
silly prayed for death in those first
lorrihle days Es
"Oh, don't want to die." she cried
And Miss Whelan ran back
o hold her hands and assure her that
he doctor had promised Mrs Sargent
hat Elsie would be running around
he garden in a fortnight.
And You know doctors don't make