Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-08-22
coRDEl|A's. Case
By DOROTHY DOUGLAS.

~$$$$$$$$<$$S$$SSS$$ $$SSSSsSSS<SSSSSSSSSSSSS
1T is a pity he isn't married." Doc
tor Fraser said as he tossed the letter
he had received over to his wife. II
wish we could fix him up with wife
as well as temporary practice. lie
Is getting registered today and can
come down to act as my locum tenens
for as long as we want to be away"
"Oh, isn't that fine!" his wife cried
joyfully. She knew just how desper-
ately her husband needed few weeks
change. He labored day and night
among his many and widespread pa
tients and he was tired. Eyes, I do
wish Alex was married. Professional
people command far greater respect
when they are properly married" She
smiled softly. "Whom could we fling
across Doctor Nevin's path-while he
is here"
"Cordelia Mayborn is the only girl
round here-but she's always SO con-
foundedly healthy. She hasn't called
in a doctor for ten years. She's just
the girl for Nevin."
couldn't we put her up to calling
him in while he's here. She could pre-
tend fainting fits or melanchOlia. Eth
er would serve to get them acquainted
without any suspicion. She would do
1T just for a lark, not knowing our rea-
sons" Mrs. Fraser flushed excitedly
and was ready to dash off at once to
Cordelia and put the ruse before her.
"Women are born matchmakers, y
Doctor Fraser laughed, like most hus-
bands, putting the entire blame on bis
wife.
Cordelia Mayborn jumped into the
net as she jumped into anything that
promised interest. She cast swift,
dry glance at her gloriously healthy
color and fine, vigorous body, and Won
dered just what complaint she could
summon that would demand an imme-
date call from young Doctor Nevin.
It did not for a moment occur to her
that Alice Fraser was planning matri-
nominal byways for her.
However, Doctor and Mrs. Fraser
were soon safely away on their much
needed holiday with the secret safely
tucked between them.
Cordelia had decided upon some
trouble in her ankle-a peculiar some
thing that prevented her from putting
her foot to the ground. She called
up Doctor Nevin during the afternoon
Of his third day as Doctor Fraser's
locum tenens.
When she peered cautiously through
the curtains upon hearing the small
motor painting at the curb, Cordelia
was looking like nothing so much as
a glowing, fragrant, healthy rose when
Doctor Nevin entered. She was
propped up in most charming assert
ment of cushions.
Doctor Nevin began questioning her.
To say that he was puzzled by the pc
culiar malady with which she seemed
afflicted was putting it mildly. He
felt convinced that she was suffering
from complaint unique in the world
Of medicine.
"Shall I drop in again this EVENING""
the doctor asked. Her wistful smile
Of patient martyrdom answered him
and he went away with her image
imprinted in his mind.
His visit that evening was fraught
with premonitionary warnings Cor
della had tried to stand up and move
across the room, but had ended by hay
ing Doctor Nevin's arm flung swiftly
about her. Cordelia had been so star
tied by the sensation that the touch Of
his arms caused her that she very
nearly forgot her malady. AS for the
young doctor, he helped her almost
roughly back to her seat.
"Don't do that again." he command
ed swiftly. Cordelia delighted at the
flash in his eyes and the tightly closed
jaw. Her malady was proving more
exciting than she had anticipated. She
knew that love affair had begun
suddenly and Unexpectedly. She hoped
Doctor Nevin felt as she did.
1t was two days after this expert
ence that the doctor, calling upon the
next door neighbor of Cordelia, rubbed
his eyes as if he were dreaming. Only
the previous evening he had called pro-
fessionally on Cordelia and she had
been unable even to stand upon the af-
dicted foot.
Cordelia had the grace to blush and
dashing about like mad thing in pur-
suit of great golden-winged butter
fly. ..---,ys:... o.-.,-.,r'a~, '"r."
The doctor lost no time in advanc-
ing upon his patient.
Cordelia, in her own garden, was
blush gloriously when she looked up
to see the doctor standing at the en-.
trance Of the garden.
"Oh, I thought this was your day at
the hospital!" She flashed a swift
smile at him. The game was up she
knew. She trembled inwardly, Won
dering how he would accept her &C
ton.
A slow smile dawned in his eyes,
and he kept them steadily on Cor
della.
IT suppose you hate me-" she ques-
toned wistfully.
mot exactly" Doctor Nevin told
her.
tits Mrs. Fraser's fault" Cordelia
said swiftly; "she put me up to It,"
Mrs. Fraser is a most wonderful lit
tie woman" he said, with deep convic-
ton.
in what way?" Cordelia's eyes were
not without the fire of jealousy.