Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1918-06-20
On
Furlough
81
By Fannie Barnett Linsky
Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)

per Synncate.)
sIieutenant Han1on and Sergeant
Farrell-to see Doctor Carroll, please"
and flash Of admiration came into
the usually impassive countenance Of
Sims, the butler, as he took in with
one all-appraising glance the uniformed
figures before him.
"a fine looking pair of soldiers" was
his silent verdict, but aloud he said:
"I'll tell the doctor you have GOMEZ
and he waved them into the large re-
ception room that forms part of every
doctors home.
"Gee," said Scott Hanlon Che Of the
lieutenantlike decorations), "this is
sure some fine place. Our doctor man
must certainly be man Of means, al
though he never tried to make us think
so when he talked to u.s.
II know it, Scott, but that's just
What made everybody like him So"
replied Sergt. John Farrell, late of
the One Hundred and Seventh artil
lery. II know a few boys in the trench
es thatll never forget him, and I'll
wager any one of them would cheer
fully give up his life for old Doc"
81 guess you're right, Jack. always
knew be was big man, but 1 never
thought that he had left all this be-
hind to go over there and take care
of the boys; and as for anyone ever
giving up anything to help old Doc
why, 1 only hope I have the chance
some day, for I'll sure never for
get"
"Sh!" came warning whisper from
his brother officer as footsteps sounded
in the hall. The draperies parted and
once more Sims, the butler, made his
appearance.
BEG pardon, sirs," said he, "but the
doctor was called out quite unexpect-
edly, but he's expected back any min
ate. Mrs. Carroll went with him, but
if you'll please make yourselves COM
Portable, Miss Madeline and Miss Mary
will be down directly" And taking
caps and listers from the two guests
Sims withdrew once more with an
apologize cough.
Again left alone, the two men talked
shouldn't be here to welcome US, don't
you think?" said Jack to his compan-
ion. Hes had our letter now over
two weeks, telling him that we'd spend
the last three days of our furlough
with him here. However" as an after
thought, II suppose doctors a pretty
busy fellow. Must be if he can afford
to have all this" and once more his
eyes wandered with an admiring
glance around the luXuriously fur
nished room. II guess I'll leave our
small offering here till by and BY"
he added, carefully depositing on the
table large and bulky package which
up to now he had beer holding.
'Miss Madeline and Miss Mary
they must be the twins that Doc was
forever raving about" said Scott.
"Can you picture me holding a club
by three-year-old on my knee, and
saying: 'Oos ducky darling is oo?"
And two hearty masculine laughs
pealed forth, forgetful for the moment
of their surroundings; but only for a
moment, for a slight noise made both
men turn.
The twins, indeed-but nothing
chubby or three-year-old about the two
young ladies who stood in the door,
way. Quite the contrary; tall, slen-
der and good looking-at least such
was the mental verdict of two young
men who saw them for the first time.
Lieutenant Hanlon," spoke up one,
slightly taller than her twin, and she
looked inquiringly at the two young
men.
II am here" said Scott, as he
stepped forward.
81 am Madeline Carroll" said the
girl, holding out her hand, "and this is
my sister Mary. Then you," turning
to Jack, as Mary and Scott were
gravely shaking hands, 'you must be
must be" and she made pretenSe of
looking at a well-worn letter that she
held in her hand, ''you must be Ser
geant Farrell"
II am" said Jack so promptly that
they all laughed, and so the ice was
broken.
"We've been looking forward to your
coming for ever so long," said Made
line, who evidently felt that the bur-
den of entertainment rested upon her.
shoulders, "and we were so excited
when dad got your letter saying that
you were coming today, because-well,
you see, it's very important day for
us-it's our birthday-Mary's and
mine. You see, we're twins"
Eyes, know that" said Scott. "Your
dad-we always called him Doc over
there at the front-did nothing but
talk about his twins"
"He sure did," chimed in Jack, "and
Scott and thought that you were
about three years old
what" exclaimed Mary, shocked
into speaking for the first time: "Why,
we're eighteen today" and she drew
herself up to her full height, as if to