Abilene weekly reflector., 1916-07-06
Miss POtifer'S
POmeranian
It Converted a Dog Halter
BY cLARIssA MAcKIE

DR.. Th0rnDy was Lnlrty years Otu
and a bachelor His practice took up
all his time during the day. and when
he reached his rooms In the evening,
sometimes late. he was too tired to go
out TO seek amusement Perhaps his
case was no different from other men
who are regularly occupied with max
ing a living. perhaps he had reached
an age when a home with no one in 1t
to cherish first begins to seem lonely.
perhaps nature, having been cheated
out Of her rights. had begun to rebel
Be this as 1t may, when DR.. Thornby
went into his rooms one evening after
an anxious day over very sick pa
tient he longed for some one to COM
fort him.
The next day after the doctor had
finished with his morning office con-
sultation, exerting himself to put the
best face on conditions that looked
dark indeed and having swallowed a
hasty lunch, he went to where his car
was standing and. tossing in his bag of
medicines and medical implements, got
into the car himself. A little dog
bounded in behind him and sought
warm place In his lap.
The doctors mind was upon a very
sick patient, and the little stranger
was by no means welcome.
"Where did it come fromT' asked
DR.. Thornby as he pointed to the fluffy
bundle Of animation.
James. the chauffeur, turned a casual
eve on the black Pomeranian who was
licking the doctors glove with tiny
red velvet tongue.
Il couldn't say, sir. never noticed
1t until you spoke"
The doctor looked up and down the
street In search of some foolish wo-
man who might be the owner of the
lapdog, but the street was deserted.
an take him to the pound" said the
doctor absently and Immediately for
got all about the Pomeranian. which
nestled down in the bearskln robe un-
til all one could distinguish was a pair
Of sparkling eyes.
DR.. Thornby detested small dogs, es-
pecially when they were carried by
women, and he was supposed to be
woman hater, which in a way was not
at all detrimental to his practice, for
the fair sex rather liked his brusque
manner, even when he told them that
they must battle with their disordered
nerves all alone with the weapons of
plenty of fresh air and exercise and
exertion of undiscovered forceS Of will
power.
In spite OF this very excellent ad-
vice they fiocked to DR.. Thornby. and
some OF them professed to enjoy his
look Of disapproval when they brought
their toy dogs along.
Two days later DIR. Thornby was still
in possession of the little Pomeranian
OF which he had grown very fond. Il
shall keep him. James, unless l find
the owner" explained the doctor, and
he hesitated to add that he had not
yet advertised that he had found the
dog.
That very afternoon, when he con-
suited his tablets, he found that an
urgent call had come from SO CHINA
mon terrace. He had several patients
in aristocratic Cinnamon terrace, but
he did not recall the name Of POTTER.
No. SO was long, low, homelike
residence, and when he rang the bell
it was Immediately answered by a
smart Japanese butler.
II am DIR. Thornby," said the ply
sician.
"Ah, excuse, sir; come this way,
please 1t Is Miss POTTER who is so
ILL.,"
The man led the way to an upper
sitting room, where the doctor was
greeted by Mrs. POTTER, a very stout,
amiable looking woman, who confess
ed TO being much worried over her
daughters condition.
Florence has never had days Ill
ness in her life," said Mrs. POTTER,
'and 1t doesn't seem possible that her
nerves should give way all at once"
Nerves. groaned the doctor. More
nerves.
Mrs. POTTER opened a white door and
introduced DR.. Thornby to a lovely
young woman, who was reclining on a
couch in a charming pink and white
boudoir.
There was a strong odor Of cologne
water In the room, and Miss Potifer's
beautiful brown eyes gave evidence Of
recent tears.
II never felt better IN my life. doc
tor" walled Florence POTTER, as the
handsome young physician sat down
beside her. II never felt better in my
life at the moment when he disap-
peared."
my daughter has suffered a great
sorrow" put In Mrs. POTTER feelfngly.
Il am very sorry indeed" said the
doctor, experiencing a vague jealousy
Of the man whose disappearance had
caused such sorrow in one so young
and lovely.
Florence POTTER sobbed softly into
lace trimmed handkerchief and permit
ted the doctor TO feel her pulse.