Gilpin observer., 1918-09-12
The VISION GIRL
BY MILDRED WHITE.

to make the usual pretense Of medical
visits, for Alan's well-equipped office,
showed as yet no mark Of usage.
Upon this particular morning of the
disastrous auto ride, he was wonder
Ing: "How he was going to get his
rent money together" When, at the
knottiest point Of his problem, the
car was held in deep rut OF the coun-
try road, then without further warn
Ing. turned turtle, leaving Alan face
upward on messy bank.
This was the last he remembered,
the next development was his wonder
full dream! With a realizing con-
sciousness Of pain, he endeavored to
turn his bandaged head and discovered
that he was lying in n great curtain
draped bed Of fashion of century
ago. Through the golden brocade of
the draperies, Alan saw the room of
princely appointment, chandeliers and
wainscoting reminding him of stage
scenery Of an historic play.
The young doctor wrinkled his
brows in perplexity, then smiled. It
was all an illusion Of course.
When he tried to stir the pain was
Intense, SO he contented himself with
reaching over the satin coverlet to
touch something tangible. Inadver-
tently his finger pressed button on
the mahogany, and around the canopy
over his head flashed row of cleo
trio lights. 1t was not the blow of
the accident, he decided which caused
him to see these strange things, but
some dope a doctor had probably ad-
ministered. When the effect wore Off
he would find himself in the usual irsn
bed Of hospital.
But now as the dream continued,
resting comfortably in his gold-draped
bed, he saw before him a panel Of the
wninscoting slide aside, while in Its
opening appeared a beautiful radiant
creature-a girl who seemed to be
from that same past period of the
luxurious room.
Alan caught his breath MS the living
picture moved toward him. Then as
his eyes still gazed into the girls dark
ones, she lifted small heavily-rnged
hand to smooth his hair.
why, cOltiy tHS Slll,
''did you turn on the reading lights?
Sunshine streams through the WIN
dow.v
At her touch the electricity was
turned off. Alan did not answer. OF
what use to talk to vision?
The girl sighed. rs she turned from
| him, another moment and she had
passed through the panel in the wall.
Restlessly he endeavOred to raise HIM
self as an elderly woman entered the
room.
A man, evidently a physician with
his bag, followed. "Wellw he ex-
claimed cheerfully, looking down at
the injured one, consciousness at last.
You have kept US guessing. How do
you feel"
"Tell me-" Alan asked painfully,
"where I am"
"YOu are carefully housed in the
old Judge Weller estate" the doctor
| replied.
"Then 1t was not all an illusiOn"
Alan eagerly questioned. He smiled.
| II fancied that n lady in trailing bro
cade came walking through the wall"
The physician laughed. you'll have
no more such fancies,t he said. "Your
injury is really slight. Judge Weller's
widow died recently, and the only
ones at present In charge are family
servants. They await the settling Of
the estate by the judges granddaugh-
| ter who is abroad. The place and the
| Weller fortune are now hers"
When the doctor had gone, Alan
gazed intently at the wall opposite.
And as he watched. the panel swung
| again, and the girl was there.
A smiling, r0se-clad figure this
time, as she advanced toward him.
"How do you do?" she asked. "Doc-
tor tells me you are yourself at last.
He advises that we move you out to
the balcony for little fresh air."
From the doorway the elderly wom-
an came forward. "Jake says" she
announced, "that he won't carry no.
body out to the balcony tonight"
The girlish rose-colOred vision
whirled about sharply.
'Tell Jake" she said positively,
"that I am mistress here.v 1t was
bewildering.
Light came suddenly to Alan. This
was the granddaughter, Of course, re-
turned unexpectedly from abroad.
Aims mending was slower than the
doctor had hoped, and Alan was glad.
| Days Of enchantment like those spent
upon the balcony came but once In n
lifetime; his hostess was kind. The
| olden time frocks had given place to
those OF newer and simpler fashion.
Back to Alan's heart came the gloom
of that first disastrous morning. Love
had found him, and he must go away
with 1t buried In his bosom. A penni-
less physician may not ask the hand
and heart of an heiress.
atrEall liaI, hsa oil knd ,..