Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-25
CLUB NEWS: BARGAIN
The Daily Story
Girl of the Shorn Locks

! dtnt there, but a forlorn, urgent neet
was plainly written in the white, deli
cate face.
The manserVnnt OF the eminent surgeon
found himself opening the door wider ant
permitting the little figure to enter tn,
waiting room that connected with the doc.
! tors operating room. After that he with.
drew, and as he closed the door, he saw
| the boyish frame sink down into tho
! great chair by the window
| 1t might have been 10 minutes later, or
/ even an hour before Doctor Wilde entered
/ the waiting room. II was not his hour at
! home and he at first supposed the rooms
/ to be eppty He stopped on the thresn
| old and then went swiftly over to the
tumbled heap of humanity that scarcely
! filled the big chair
The delicate face against tho cushions
might have been that of a woman, yet
the attire proclaimed the opposite
Doctor Wilde picked the unconscious fig
ure up in his arms, a thrill swept him
from head to foot
~ womau" he whispered with untou-
sciuus tenderness "a woman in TINS
garb." He ga2ed down at the face up
turned against his shoulder. And yet not
a woman-only a child"
When Diana opened her eyes she thought
Just for moment that she had lost the
dear life she priced SO highly and that
the wonderfully compassionate face bend
Ing over her was one of the angels.
NSo You have Weakened voice
reached her ears. She then glanced won
deringly from the man to the white sur
geon's Jacket that he wore 4 smile of
infinite relief followed her inspection.
Then am herc-realIy here?' sh"
Il hpt l,,
velvet fingers brushing her brow were
very restful. 81 have come miles and
miles to see YOU" Diana continued 81
have sold my clothes, my hair and every
thing | possessed. | have stolen rides OF
freight trains and tramped day after day
ali TO see YOU" She smiled oddly.
And why?" questioned the doctor.
Because | wanted desperately to live
she told him and n little tragic note had
crept into her voice. ~ want to live and
breathe joyously as other people do but
there is something in my head-a bone
or somcthing-that prevents a proper cur
rent of air" Her great eyes became Sc
rious. II have Just been fading away
for lack Of air"
In spite of himself tho doctor WINGED.
I'VE will take out that troublesome
bone in less than no time" he said, try
ing to speak choerfuly. But first YOU
must gain little strength. You see, you
tainted from sheer weakness"
Diana sat up and a troubled look swept
across her eyes. nave only gov lt is
an couId get ior my halr ana thouSht !
1t would pay YOU She paused mo- |
lleL'' Wail'eu TO Set the operation !
over as qulck'S as posSlp'e so that can
go to work"
Page, the Doctors manservant. en-
tereu 'he room with cup OF steamlnE
i'ih'
prlhh tnis, Doctor wide commanded
een.l!' A'ter that WIN mana you
Itul ,,,, 10 Ivy s,s'er Sne ,oves Just sucm
u n,ll,e Fasapol"S as you Ferhaps sne VIII
inH ,.u you some ptoper garments ana some
IEmt WORK ABOUT the mousse
Nn,le Sne was Slpp'hE 'he not mllk he
lueSuohrd her about her masquerade
~ Is SO IiiucI o"sIer 10 peat one S way
u m one Is poE, s.ie toia nm naiVely
something Inside OF me demanded that |
sceN you out' : nau neaId your name
SO oiten III the illtle western town from
yh which l came and felt that YOU were
NE ohE surgeon OIL "Ilom would not
'e al AFRAID, ..--
IT Is only tne nervous state YOU are in
hat makes you fearful Any doctor could
laNe taken out that troublesome bit of
'one.' He gazed regretfully at the shorn,
ourlilshed mead am sorry you sacri-
iced beautiful head of hair-it was in
'-''
lie watched tear trickle through the
'lfl laShes' nut her lips refused to sec
ma the emotion; instead, they curled up
It the corners.
u wanted to live she said softly.
The doctor laughed quickly perhaps be-
ause of lump in his throat,
1T is just wonder you We're not ar
ested and flung into dark prison for
nasquerading in boys clothes"
Even ttat would not have bothered me
o long as | was alive" Diana responded
quickly. She sat up straight now and the
ioctor watched a dainty pink creep
tealthly into her cheeks.
That bit Of color had so odd am effect :
pom Doctor Wilde's emotions that cold
eason bade MIN send the girl forthwith ,
0 his sister.
Alice Wilde's charities were varied and
When she caught sight of The (
linn, shrinking figure that sought to hide ,
self behind her brothers great frame :
he smiled.
"Alice, here is a little vagabond VINO I
as shacked trains and slept in box cars '
Il the way from the West. She needs =
-"
''She 3'' AIra Wilde rust , ,,,,;,i- z,a.-