Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-12-27
Dr.. Bradford's
Obstacle
\
By Anne Collins

pity LOT ner DecauSe Oh tuis. iiAOy
would have nodded their heads sadly
together and have aid: "What u
pity that n young woman Of James
| position and family should be reduced
! to taking in boarders." But, being an
up-tO-date young woman Of the twen-
tieth century. Jane preferred to look
upon her venture with deep interest,
put her boarding house on u business
basis, kept her books with accuracy
and was regarded as II Of the bust
ness women who had won out Ia the
neighborhood where she lived.
"The Dawson House," as Jane chose
to call her establishment, had Il
definite number OF resident boarders
and an indefinite number Of 'meal-
ers," as James h~ousekeeper called
them. In the latter class was Doctor
Bradford, who was known to the regu-
lar Dawson House clientele simply as
q promising young doctor who. hay |
ing spent the last two or three years
at the front, had 0 taken an apart
ment somewhere In Il nearby neigilbor-
hood with the intention Of building
up a practice.
Doctor Bradford, 1t was whispered,
was very much attracted TO Jane. That
was not SO very remarkable for Jane,
in spite of-or was it partly because
1 of?-her businessllke manner and
trim, severely made blue serge frocks
was q decidedly attractive bit Ut fem
j ininity. The remarkable thing about
1t was tn Jane showed that she was
attracted 10 the doctor. At least II
had been noticed by the observing
n ones Of Dawson House that the doc
tor not infrequently fingered after
q dinner to join in a hand Of bridge
o with Jane and some favored married
couple. For it was, indeed, consid-
cred a favor to be invited to spend
Il an evening in James hospltable sitting
10 room where cracking logs on the
r. hearth and warln-shadeu lamps and
most of all, james indescrlbable smile
TX which always was at its best in hei
N own private sanctuln-~cnSt q spell
" of cheer that WAS warmer than TN
". hospitality of any other part of thu
house.
Sometimes, though, this the observ
ing ones did not knew, Jane and Tn
doctor spent q leisure hour or so tc
gether in bracing country walks; bu
apparently--apparently surely to Jan
the doctor merely sought Jane
friendship in her conipanionship. o
more than one occasion of late, how
ever, his manner yerged on somcthin
warmer than friendship, hut alwn!
he stopped himself abruptly. Hoy
ever, there is always Il last time whe
a man is able to stitle his desire
come to an understanding with II
woman to whom he Is attracted. AZ
this last time came Que evening wht
Jane and he were bending over
game of cribbagc i'll James sittil
room. Impulsivcly the doctor clapp'
bis hands over cards and pegs III
board Just as Jane was about to y
out to the finish.
"June," he said. 1--WE got to t.
you. You know my mind is not
the game. I'm thinking only Of y
and / have been for weeks. Jane,
try and make you love me enough
be my wife If thought 1t could e,
!, work o~ut--but-"
james hands that had sudder
turned cold We're, with an effort
composure. trying to s%traighten {
the pack of cards.
But what2' she said after a n
NJ, ment's silence, and then, as the doc
,nos seemed 10 be unable to make an
g. PLANTATION she went on with a del
erateness that was characteristic
Jane: "Do you mean that there
ana some reason why you couldn't ask
pof- to be your wife!'
seis. "There Is Il reason why you mi
anu not wish to accept me- he said.
Ut d Jane looked across the table,
. ~ frank eyes meeting his.
us It something that happened WI
q 10 you were In FranceT
with The doctor nodded IN the afr
rose tive. II didn't think much about
II IS till l got to this country. Why, j
rlD- even my mother told me l must h
cuVe been insane to do it-and 1t Is becu
asse' of It that she didn't want me to
tie down Mt home. That's why l Ct
, here and took the apartment"
II am sorry" was oil Jane answ'
= and perhaps the doctor was di
pointed that June did not force a
Ter confession from him.
Jane spent what. seemed to
eady' boarders a foolish proportion Of
inter- earnings on the furnishings Of her
nave tie sitting room. New pictures
soft books and objects Of ornaments
lst OF that tempted her soon found I
moose place In the room. though she "
the hive hesitated some time before
!, too. ing n new hat Or gown. The dc
even was always interestd In her purch'
J o however, and had q keen eye to d.
Ing my new book. or picture or art
iagil' feet. For the weeks that followet
lily attempt at confession Jane had
good none the less cordial than before
year. whenever their conversation
. are preached a point where the confe'
land might have been completed Jane
Winter ruptly changed the subject.
Late one afternoon Jane found
49, doctor waiting for her 10 hcr n
Svccsu vhan aha returned from \ Il