The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-13
The Evening Story

The Evening Story
Doctor Drayton's Patient.
(By Jean Dickerson.)
DIR. Drayton dismissed his last pa
! tient just ~ the telephone at his elbow
rang sharply. His sisters voice came
over the wire. freighted with burden
OF important news.
Il know you are dreadfullyi 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. YEARLY. II don't just understand
why it is that people delight in ac-
quainting me with news of my sons
delinQuences: as a matter of fact. Ar
cher has overcome any tendency to
Witness and has settled down to hard
work. I have hopes Of his becoming
something of a lawyer. Now. il you
will excuse me-what?-eh? An ac-
tress? Well, boys will be boys-and er
well. good-bye!" He banged the tele
phone back on the desk and frowned
at the picture Of his handsome only son
that looked down from the wall.
Hannah says very common ac-
tress! That doesn't sound like Archer
but what can do? / can refuse to
give my consent to his marriage with
the woman and estrange myself from
my lad! What is that. Harris, call?''
Yes, sir" said the attendant Elmer
gency case-the lady was knocked
down by an automobile and they
brought her in here. I had her taken
| to the private ROOM"
THAT is right. Harris. will come
in at once.''
The physician slipped into a fresh
white md ~,
corner of the office, found himself in
a small room fitted for emergency
cases.
On the narrow white bed was the
slender form of young woman.
Miss Smith. the nurse was removing
the black broadcloth costume with
quick, deft fingers.
"Badyq hurt. Miss Smith," asked the
DOCTOR
"A broken arm, I think, and 1 am
afraid OF cOncussion," she said in
low tone
The doctor leaned over the lovely
unconscious face OF the girl and made
| rapid examination.
ut may be conclusion, but think
| 1t only shock. The arm is fractured
send Harris in"
Two hours later Doctor Drayton re-
tired from the sick room satisfied that
the unknown patient would recover
hospital" suggested Miss Smith,
Il think not hesitated the doctor.
He felt very tenderly toward the young
thing lying there on the bed. His heart
nad gone out to her, for she was much
like a daughter he had lost many years
ago. Alice would have looked like
that" he told himself sadly as he pre-
pared to make some calls.
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.
Miss Smith primly.
Tne eyes closed again. ana faint
flush stole over the pale face. please
tell me what has happened" she mur-
| INJURED.
| 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,"y she sug-
gested.
Alice" murmured the girl, and
went off to sleep.
| Have you discovered her name ?''
asked the doctor on his next visit to
4 the sick room.
Merely that it is AIice-she seems
disinclfned to talk-it's rather a mys-
tertous case. DR.. Drayton."
|
doctor said in reply, and he sat for a
long time looking wistfully at the un-
conscious face, so lovely in its repose.
A long braid of black hair was thrown
4 over one shoulder and gave her q sin
| gularly girlish look
Miss Smith wrinkled her nose in
disapproval of the doctors interest in
his unknown patient. Why should the
middle-aged. widowed physician
evince such a strange interest in an
| M
young woman when. for instance, he
| could see no charm in a clever not
| Unlocking nurse?
Miss Smith," said the doctor, sud-
denly, 1t is singular that none of our
inquiries or advertisements have met
with any response. This girl is evil
IDENTITY from a refined home, and yet
no one appears to have missed her.
Perhaps she has no. home-no
people,
Il wish she hadn't would adon,
her in a minute" said the doctor,
gruffly, as he left the room.
He found his son smoking in the
library.
| "Hullo Dad. rushed as usual. sup
pose?" said the young man as he re-
turned his fathers hand grip.
Yes-and I have rather a puzzlins
private case in the house,
Archer did not reply; he gaxed
moody into the fire and appeared to
forget that he was not alone. DR.
Drayton looked at him keenly and his
eye narrowed.
What is the matter, Archer ?''s he
asked abruptly.
"Oh-nothins. Dad" laughed thu
young man nervously. But a flush
rose to his eyes.
That-that actress friend Of youl
causing you any unhappiness7''
Archer looked up and the flush
faded. leaving his face pale and stern
so you have heard about Mis-,
Lee?"
Yes"