The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1916-12-15
DICK and THE DOCTOR
BY LOUISE OLIVER.


doctor Leonard. My table is right
Mere and have place just waiting
for you. Won't you please come and
ait down." She would place a hand
Hospitality upon his arm as she had
seen other women do when coaxing
male acquaintances to patronize their
supper tables at the bazaar or urging
them toward a booth where they had
wares to sell.
Several times she had tried her
speech on the doctor by a long-dis-
.tance process-that is, whenever she
saw him from her window come out
of his office across the street.
"This place is reserved" she spoke
evenly, but her heart was humping.
Mrs. Grimes was seating fat lady in
che chair she had chosen for her doe
tor. oh" snapped Mrs. Grimes. Ag-
Ges tilted the chair back to its place
and moved a vase OF flowers a bit
nearer. Then suddely she heard lis
laugh outside. In an instant she was
beside the door.
Good evening, Doctor Leonard. My
table is right here, and have place
waiting for you" Her voice sounded
strange and far away. This was
where she was to lay her hand upon
his arm, but somehow the muscles
seemed to stiffen and her arm would
not bend. After all her practicing she
couldn't do it!
THANK you," he answered, looking
past her at the well-filled tables. Then.
Aalf turning to someone behind him,
me continued: Have you two places,
Miss Brown? / have a friend with
me, you see."
Agnes did see them. The friend was
o girl. the girl she had seen riding
with him once or twice recently. and
who had caused her sleepless nights
end anxious days concerning her iden-
rtity. and what she might be to Doc
tor Leonard. She was beautiful and
wonderfully dressed tonight, and her
BLUE eyes took in the big room with
d glance of amusement.
1T smells good, anyway, doesn't 1t,
JACKIE" she laughed, Come on; here
are two places over here in quiet
corner" She led tho way and the
doctor followed. s.
= To Agnes the lights seemed to go
out and her eyes blurred.
miss Brown!" IT was Mrs. Grimes
sharp voice. Wen have to have this
ieiace, guess. And will you serve
those two ladies, IL you're not busy?"
'All right" answered Agnes, NOV
ing toward the kitchen. Nothing mat
tered now. She served people after
that like an automaton taking orders,
bringing in plates with the precision
OF q machine.
As soon as she could be spared, she
escaped from the noise and clang OF
the dining room. Once out in the
euiet hall, she pushed open the first
door she came to and found herself In
the quiet, restful twilight Of the
CHURCH. One light burned dimly near
the organ.
Burning tears came to her eyes and
her shoulders shook with sobs.
What's wrong. lady" piped a thin
little voice beside her.
Agnes looked around startled. A
rugged boy with a white face and big
Gsrk eyes was staring at her sol
t,pnly.
"Why-how did you get in here?"
fgnes, covertly wiping her eyes, was
suddenly ashamed of her tears.
II saw the people come in, and it
looked warm. They won't let me in
where the stuff to eat is, so I came
g. here. Whew! It's cold OUT"
What's your Manner
Dick Stebbs!"
Have you had your supper"
Nope. Berries sick, and they amt
nothing in the house. l got out of
tie hospital yesterday-a wagon hurt
NV ieg-and when / went home Bert
Mas sick, too. There's just him and
,ae"
Come along with me, Dickie. I'll
Z Il you a nice supper. The room was
tnptying, tables were being cleared
fcound them and the noise now was
; ostly In the kitchen, where there
Acre sounds of cleaning up.
ElcltOs DlChics cdtu a mon, NOhtihb
10.
Hello, doctor"
How did you yet here, and how's
ti'e leg?"
"All right! The lady brung me in.
Gee this chicken is o. K"
Doctor Leonard turned to Agnes.
II found him out in the audito-
sliim hungry and cold" she said in
p1w voice. 80 I'm feeding him."
The doctor watched her a minute
without answering. Hs was thinking,
,Vhy. this little Brown girl Is
beauty. What is it l wonder-that
,aakes me want to know her better.
And so few girls have time these days
f0r little kindnesses like this! An
ssher reason why l ought to like her.
shs is pretty tonight. wonder what
has made the changer
Aloud he said When you are
ready to go hsIne, Miss Brown. may
take you? / brought my cousin, but
.y,a hoe rim auav from me- We could