The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-03-03
DICK and THE DOCTOR
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

Agnes was watching the door and
had her little speech all ready for the
doctor when he came in.
She was to say: Good evening,
Doctor Leonard. My table is right
here and l have a place just waiting
for you. Won't you please come and
sit DOWN." She would place 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-
lance 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 a fat lady in
the chair she had chosen for her doc
tor. Oh" snapped Mrs. Grimes. Ag-
mes tilted the chair back to its place
Il
nearer. Then suddely she heard his
laugh outside. In an instant she was
beside the door.
Good evening, Doctor Leonard. My
table is right here, and have a 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.
half turning to someone behind him,
he continued: Have you two places,
Miss Brown? | have friend with
me, you see.'
Agnes did see them. The friend was
girl, the girl she had seen riding
with him once or twice recently, and
who had caused her sleepless nights
and anxious days concerning her iden-
tity, 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
a glance of amusement.
1T smells good, anyway, doesn't it,
jack" she laughed. Come on; here
are two places over here in a quiet
corner" She led the way and the
doctor followed.
To Agnes the lights seemed to go
out and her eyes blurred.
Miss Brown!" 1t was Mrs. Crimes
sharp voice. We'll have to have this
place, guess. And will you serve
those two ladies'. II 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 a machine.
AS soon as she could be spared, she
escaped from the noise and clang Of
the dining room. Once out in the
quiet 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 thin
little voice beside her.
Agnes looked around startled. A
ragged boy with white face and big
dark eyes was staring at her sol
EMMY.
"Why-how did you get in here?"
Agnes, covertly wiping her eyes. was
suddenly ashamed of her tears.
Il saw the people come in, and 1t
looked warm. They won't let me in
where the stun to eat is, so | came
in here Whew! It's cold OUT"
What's your name?"
Dick Stebbs,"
Have you had your supper"
Nope. Bertie's sick, and they amt
nothing i'm the house. | got out of
the hospital yesterday-a wagon hurt
my leg-and when | went home Bert
was sick, too. There's just him and
me-"
Come along with me, Dickie. I'll
get you a nice supper The room was
emptying, tables were being cleared
around them and the noise now was
mostly in the kitchen, where there
were sounds of cleaning up.
Hello, Dickie," said man, coming
up.
Hello. doctori"
How did you get here, and how's
the Lego"
"All right! The lady brung me in.
Gee, this chicken is o. K"
Doctor Leonard turned to Agnes.
Il found him out in the audito-
rum hungry and cold" she said in
low voice. $50 I'm feeding him."
The doctor watched her a minute
without answering. He was thinking,
Why, this little Brown girl is a
beauty. What is it | wonderland
makes me want to know her better.
And so few girls have time these days
for little kindnesses like this, An
other reason why | ought to like her
She is pretty tonight. | wonder what
has made the changer"
Aloud he said: When you are
ready to go home, Miss Brown, may
| take you? | brought my cousin, but
gha haS rim away from mo We could