The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-10-30
lacks AWAKENING
BY r

JUN Siucs VI DT. JOnu LdnuEilu . GULL
Portable Office were filed; and very
prosperous looking occupants they
were, too. Doctor Landrith was GER
talnly busy and supremacy successful.
The door, marked private, opened
quietly, and a small, unobtrusive
young lady stepped out and closed 1t
again. Margaret Crofton was a model
Of neatness from the top of her golden
crowned head to the tips of her small
shoes.
With a half bow she motioned to a
gentleman on the opposite side of the
room. "Mr. Cornelius, the doctor is
ready for you now"
But before he had risen, a richly
dressed young lady swept haughtily
across the room and paused before the
closed door. 'Tell Doctor Landrith
that Miss Harcourt will see him i'm
mediately."
She bowed and entered the room, a
moment later re-opening the door for
Miss Harcourt to enter.
A few days later Doctor Landrith,
unbent from a close study of bacteria,
got up from his chair. He moved
quickly toward the window with the
energy characteristic of him. He
walked several times across the room,
then pressed a button on his desk. I'M
mediately the door was opened and
Margaret came In. In her capacity
as secretary she was ready for serv-
Ice at any moment.
Miss C~rofton,' he said, 81 am nerv-
Gus. / can't concentrate on my work"
She slipped out of the room and re-
turned In a few minutes with a cool
ing drink.
IF you drink this 1 think 1t will
quiet your nerves. I believe that you
are worrying about something. Per-
haps / can help you"
Having drunk the beverage and re-
seated himself in hfs chair, the doctor
seemed q little less restless. He
turned toward Margaret in a rather
businesslike way.
"Miss Crofton, I am going to make
an unusual request Of you. l am In
love. 1 wish to marry Eleanor Har-
court. Also, I Inn a very busy man.
I feel that / cannot devote the time
that Miss Harcourt would desire for
a proposal. You perhaps know that
she Is a very proud as well as a very
rich young lady. She would make a
fitting wife for a man of my position"
"Yes?" her cheeks paled slightly.
snow comes the part / wish you TO
play. 1 have found you very thought
full and devoted to my service. l be-
lieve you are capable of this greatest
service I have ever asked Of you. Miss
Crofton, 1 wish you to go to the home
of Miss Harcourt and request her to
become my wife"
"Why, Doctor Landrith."
"Oh, I know it's queer, but I'm not
original. Capt Miles Standish did his
proposing by proxy four hundred
years ago, but I will profit by the old
warriors mistake. He failed because
he sent a man. Miss Crofton, will you
do this for met"
She smiled inscrutably at him. Il
will. When shall 1 goT"
"Now. 1t is late afternoon and she
will surely be at home. l will have
the car at the door for you in a few
minutes"
He rose and nervously began to pace
the floor. But finding no relief he sat
down and attempted to work. Sud
denly he dropped his microscope on
the floor with a crash of splinterine
glass.
For one moment he hesitated, then
tore the telephone receiver from its
hook.
"Give me the Universal Taxi com
pany-Quick," he commanded. Hello
Is this the Universal? Send a a tc
Doctor Landrith's, double quick. Elk
ira pay for speed"
Dropping the phone he seized his
hat and ran down the steps. Almost
Immediately a car sped up and the
doctor sprang in.
'Going on. Drive up Kensingtor
avenue. II you get to the Harcour'
home In five minutes I'll give. you
twenty-five dollars"
The chauffeur knew his business. Al
breakneck speed they dashed up the
IOWuC III OdkhAdhS "a SN S
stopped suddenly before a large resi-
dence. The doctor jumped out ant
ran up the shaded walk. He pealet
the bell violently. then pushed oper
the door in the face of the astonishet
butler. Showing that worthy aside
with more force than p~oliteness, the
intruder strobe down the hall. H'
opened a door on the right and looked
in. Seated on a sofa was Margare'
alone.
THANK God" he cried hoarsely
'sThen you've not e e herr"
Margaret. darling, do you think
could ever be happy with anyone bu'
you? l know l don't deserve 1t, bu
won't you try to love me just a little
but-won't you, dearestf"
But she needed no second invitation
to test the practicabilty of his shoul
dor a a roct FOR har head