Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-13
J. u seful
. Hints
T he Morning Story
DIR. DnAETON'S PATIENT.
By Jean Dickcrson.

y
sharply. His sisters voice came over
the wire frefghtcd with n burden of
important news.
Il know you are drcadfully busy.
Frederick" she apolog!zcd, hut Mrs.
Weeks has Just told me the most aSi-
tatinE thing--it's about Archer
Spare me, Hannah" said the doctor,
YEARLY. Il don't just understand why
II IS that people delight in acGuaintinc
me with news Of my sons Delinquent
cies: as a matter OF fact. Archer has
overcome any tendency TO wildness and
has settled down to hard work. l have
hopes of his becoming something of Il
lawyer. Now, If you VIII excuse me
what?-ch? An actress" Well. boys
will be boys-and, cr-wcll, goodby!"
He banged the telephone back on the
desk and frowned n the picture OF his
handsome only son that looked down
from the wall.
Hannah says avery common actress:
That doesn't sound like .Archer--hut
what can l doc I can refuse 10 give my
consent 10 his marriage with the
woman and eStrauEe myself from my
lad: What is that Harris, a call?"
Yes, sir" said the attendant. "Emer-
gency cSse-ths lad, was Knocked
down by an automobile ana they
hroush; her IN hero. l had her taken
10 the private room
That Is right, Harris. l viii come
n ~ once
The physician sl!rped into fresh
corner OF the office. found himself in
a small room it;eG :rr emergency cases.
On the narrow va.;e bed was the
slender form q : Young woman. Miss
Smith. the nurse. vAs removing the
black hroadeio;h oos;une WIKI quick,
dcft fingers,
Badly hurt, Miss smith ssked the
doctor.
"A broken arm, ,Alas, and ! am
afraid OF conclusion" she said il 4 low
tone.
The doctor leaned over the lovely un-
conscious face OF the si-! ana made
rapid examination.
1T may be conclusion, BIZ; think !:
only shock. The arm is fractured
send Harris in"
Two hours later DR.. Drayion retired
from the sick room satisfied that the
unknown patient would recover.
You will, OF course. send her 20 r
hospital" suggested Miss Smith.
II think not" Aesitatcd the doctor
He felt very tenderly toward the Young
thing lying there on the he'd. Ills heart
had gone out to her for she was much
like daughter he had lost many years
ago. alice would have looked like
that" he told himself sadly, ms he pre-
pared to make some calls.
A week slipped by and still the sick
room was occupied, much TO the un
spoken Amusement OF Miss Smith
One day the patient opened lovely
hazel eyes and smiled at the nurse.
Where am IL" she asked family.
AT DIR. Drayton's house" replied
Miss Smith primly.
Tho eyes closed again, and n faint
flush stole over the pale face Please
tell me what has happened" she muir
INJURED.
Miss Smith told her in n few words
Of the automobile accident In front OF
the doctors Office. I'VE have been un-
gested.
Alice" murmured the girl. aid went
off TO sleep
Have you discovered her namc?"
asked the doctor on his next visit to the
Merely that +, IS Alice-see seems
disinclined 10 talk--ira rather mys-
terious case, DR. Drayton"
so her name IS Alice" was all the
doctor said IN reply, ana ne sat for n
long time looking wistfully at the
unconscious face. so lo> .ly in its re.
pose. \ long braid Of black hair was
thrown over one shoulder and gave her
II singularly girlish look.
Miss Smith wr!nltlcd her nose in
\disapproval OF the Doctors Interest in
his unknown patient. Why should tho
middle aged, widowed physician evtnce
such strange interest in an unknown
and. perhaps. not quite nice young
woman when for instance, he could
sec no charm In clever, not Ill looking
purse?
Miss Smith" said tho doctor, sud
denly. sit is singular. that none OF our
inquiries or advert i$Stncnts' have met
with any response This. girl is evil
IDENTIFY from n refined home, and yet
no one appears 10 have missed her
Perhaps she has no home-no peo-
Pile"
IT wish she hadn't would adopt
her in a minute said the doctor
gruffiy he left the room.
He found his son smoking in the
library.
'Huno. dad, rushed rs usual. sup
poser" said the young man as he re-
turned his fathers hand grip.
"YeE-and ] have puz2ling rrivate
case in the house"
Archer did not reply; he gazcd mood
lily into the fire and appeared TO for.
get that he was not alone Or. Draw
TON looked al him lecnly and his eve
narrowed.
"wha, is the natter Archer?" he
asked abruptly.
"oh-mothing, dad" laughed the
young man nervously. But flush rose
10 his eyes
"That-tha, actress friend Of yours
causing you any unhappincss?"
Archer looked up. and the flusb
= faded. leaving his face pale and stern.
So YOU have heard about Miss Icc?"
Yes"
Il suppos" Aunt Hannah has been
babbling. she has tackled me several
times II doesn't seem to be within
her "" mind to comprehend th.t
one e"i -e an actress and "a gentle
woman i The same t!me-and Miss Lee
is both"
But you are not happy. Archer"
accused his father.
Archer hung out his hands
How can rest when do not know
what has happened to herr" he de-
manded. Three weeks ago Sin. Inft
her, hotel to so to the Grand cc,t,ai
Stat!on--shc was on her way to Maine.
she mas not been seen or heard OF
since then She never arrived in Blue
Iiarhor and her reservation on ma
train had not been occupied Tboy
far"
Are you engaged to her. Archer
eS-DenNtNp lc