The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-02-19
Or. ORAroH's PATIENT
BY JEAN DIcKERsoN

scopyrisht lSl5. by the Mcclure Nevspa
per Syndicate.)
Doctor Drayton dismissed his ,,.,
patient Just as the telephone n ~,
elbow rang sharply. His sisters voice
came over the wire, frightened with
. burden of important news.
I know you are dreadfully busy
Frederick" she apologized, but Mrs
Weeks has just told me the most
ssitating thing-it's about Archer"
spare me. Hannah" said the doc.
tor. YEARLY. Il don't Just under
stand why it is that people delight
IN acQuainting me with news Of nv
sons delinquencies; as a matter Of
iact. Archer has overcome any ten.
dency to wildness and has settled
down to hard work. l have hopes Of
his becoming something Of a lawyer.
Now, If you will excuse me-what?-
en-? An actress? Well, boys will be
noys-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 is that,
Harris, a CALI"
Yes. SIR" said the attendant.
Emergency case-the lady was
knocked down by an automobile and
they brought her in here. l 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 young woman. Miss
Smith, the nurse, was removing the
black broadcloth costume with quick,
def fingers.
Badly hurt. Miss Smith," asked
the doctor.
"A broken arm, I think, and I am
afraid of conclusion" she said in q
low tone.
The doctor leaned over the lovely
face of the girl and made
= rapid examination.
1T may be conclusion, but l think
t 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-
lover.
"You will. of course, send her to .
hospital" suggested Miss Smith.
IT think not" hesitated the doctor.
he felt very tenderly toward the
7oung thing lying there on the bed.
A week slipped by. and still the sick
DOM was occupied, much to the un-
spoken amazement Of Miss Smith.
One day the patient opened lovely
,azel eyes and smiled at the nurse.
Where am II" she asked family.
AT Doctor Drayton's house," re.
,lied Miss Smith primly.
The eyes closed again and a faint
lush stole over the pale face. please
ell me what has happened" she
Miss Smith told her in a few words
# the automobile accident In front
Il the doctors office. I'VE have
,een unable to learn your name." she
uggested.
Alice" murmured the girl. and
vent off to sleep.
Have you discovered her manner"
lsked the doctor on his next visit to
he sick room.
Merely that it Is Alice-sne seems
to talk-it's rather q mys'
ferrous case, Doctor Drayton. Per
maps she has no home-no people"
81 wish she hadn't would adopt
her In a minute" said the doctor
grufiiy as he left the room.
He found his son smoking in the
library.
"Hullo, dad. rushed as usual. l sup
poser" said the young man as ne re
turned his fathers hand grip.
"Yes-and l have rather a puzzlinl
private case In the house"
A tap came at the door and Harris
poked a disturbed face inside.
II beg your pardon. Doctor Drayton
But Miss Smith wants you to come
once-the patient insists on leaving
the house and has demanded hel
clothes, and Miss Smith doesn't know
what to do"
Archer followed his father into thu
hall
Near the front door stood Mist
Smith, her arms stretched across thu
doorway barring the departure OF thu
young patient who had donned he
street clothes and was standing pail
and silent before the nurse.
"Madame!" expostulated Docto
Drayton
"Alice!" cried Archer sharply.
I'm a moment Alice was in his arm
and hiding a blushing disturbed fac
ON his broad shoulder.