The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-02-12
OR. ORAYTon's PATIENT
By JEAN pIcKERsoN.

Copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per syndicate.)
Doctor Drayton dismissed his last
patient Just as the telephone ct his
elbow rang sharply. His sisters voice
came over the wire, frightened with
q burden Of important news.
II know you are dreadfully busy.
Frederick" she apologised. 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 under.
stand Why It IL that people delight
In acquainting me with news Of my
sons delinquencies; a. . matter OF
fact. Archer has overcome any ten
dency to Witness and has settled
down to hard work. have hopes OF
his becoming something Of lawyer.
Now, II you will excuse me-what?-
Ell? An actress? Well, boys will be
boys-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 a very common
actress! That doesn't sound like
Archer-but what can l do? l can
refuse to give my consent to his mar
rage 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. had her
taken to the private room"
THAT is right. Harris. will
come at once
The physician slipped into fresh
white coat and, opening a door in
one corner of the Office found him.
self in a 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 an
! afraid of concussion," she said In {
/ low tone.
The doctor leaned over the lovel,
unconscious face of the girl and made
q rapid examination.
1T may be conclusion, but thinl
it Is only shock. The arm is fractured
send Harris in"
Two hours later Doctor Draytol
retired from the sick room satisfied
that the unknown patient would re
cover.
"You will, Of course. send her to
hospital" suggested Miss Smith.
Il think not" hesitated the doctor
He felt very tenderly toward tn
young thing lying there on the bed.
A week slipped by. and still the sic
room was occupied, much to the VI
spoken amazement of Miss Smith.
One day the patient opened Lowell
hazel eyes and smiled at the nurse.
where am II" she asked faintl!
AT Doctor Draytons house." r.
piled Miss Smith primly.
The eyes closed again and q fain
flush stole over the pale face. pleas
tell me what has happened" sh
murmured
Miss Smith told her in few word
Of the automobile accident In froT
Of the doctors Office. I'VE hav
been unable to learn your NAME" sh
suggested.
Alice" murmured the girl. an
went OF to sleep.
> Have you discovered her name!
asked the doctor on his next visit
the sick room.
!. Merely that 1t is Alice-she seen
disinclined to talk-it's rather my
FERROUS case, Doctor Drayton. Pc
haps she has no home-no people"
: Il wish she hadn't would adol
her In q minute" said the doct'
grufIiy as he left the room.
He found his son smoking in II
library.
"Hullo, dad, rushed a. usual, 81
.. poser" said the young man as he r
turned his fathers hand grip.
!. "Yes-and I have rather q puzzlir
= private case In the house"
!. A tap came at the door and Harr
: poked Q disturbed face inside.
!. Il beg your pardon, Doctor Drayto
But Miss Smith wants you to con
once-the patient insists on leavil
the house and has demanded b
: clothes, and Miss Smith doesn't kno
: what to do"
7. Archer followed his father into Il
: hall
. Near the front door stood Mi
Smith, her arms stretched across u
:. doorway barring the departure OF q
:, young patient who had donned h
street clothes and was standing pa
;. and silent before the nurse.
d, "Madame!" expostulated Doct
> Drayton
'AliceI" cried Archer sharply.
!. In a moment Alice was In his arr
= and hiding a blushing disturbed ia
:. on his broad shoulder.
= Record Diamond Drill.