The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-09-11
| WHEN DUTY CALLS
BY FLORENCE M'LAUGHLIN.


chatting, when suddenly their attention
was attracted by loud hOnking at the
gate. Almost simultaneously the door
of the house opened and a slip of
girl about twenty ran out and down
the steps and Joined the young man
who had jumped from his car and
was coming eagerly toward her To
gether they hurried down to the wait
ing roadster and in less than a minute
were out of sight down the road.
"Well, what do you know about
that?" drawled Miss Hines, stenog-
rapher from Boston I'VE might be
sticks or stones so far as she is con-
cerned. That doctor is the only per-
son around here that she has any eyes
for"
"Well, you should worry about that"
said her sister telephone operator.
'You know very well we amt in her
class anyway"
eyes," chimed in Miss Winsiow, look
ing up from her tatting. "They only
met each other two weeks ago, and
anyone can see that he Is dead in love
with her. She will break his heart and
then go off and marry someone else,
and"
"Oh, for heavens sake, let the poor
girl alone" interrupted Lawrence Mar
tin rudely. 81 guess Doctor Vain
wright can look out for himself. She
couldn't fool him any If she tried, and
for one don't think she is trying,
and picking up his book he sauntered
off down the road, thus turning the
tide of the conversation to himself.
Meanwhile, Jack Wainwright and
Madeleine Ross, blissfully unconscious
of the criticism they had aroused, were
spinning along the pleasant country
road, both in a delightfully."- happy
frame of mind.
"This is certainly a great day for our
ride" he said. Lets see, we will reach
Boston about twelve, have lunch, get
the ring, and be back here by six.
What will your friends at the boarding
house have to say when they find out
that you have really decided to marry
a country doctor?" he asked as they
entered the village and stopped before
the post Office. But before she had
time to answer, the postmaster rushed
out eXcitedly to the side of the car.
"Don't get out, DOCTOR" he said, Here
is your mail. I telephOned up TO the
boarding house and Mrs. Brown said
you had come this way, so have been
on the lookout for you. There has
been bad accident over by the bridge,
Doe. and they want you over there
just about as quick as you can drive
that car of yours. I don't know any
particulars but they are -awfully ex-
cited over that way. Mrs. Perkins
called up from her house"
''An accidental right, I'll go right
over" The doctor was serious at
once, the boyish happiness in his face
changing to look of grave concern.
''rhank you, Mr. Mills" And turning
his car around without look at the
girl beside him he began to drive rap
idly in the direction of the bridge.
slack Wainwright" she almost
screamed, "are you going to Boston to
buy an engagement ring, or are you
going over to the bridge to see some
body who had to get hurt today OF all
days? l won't be second to anything
or anybody, and you might just as well
realize it now as any time"
"Well!' exclaimed the doctor as he
turned and looked at the little temp
est beside him. you heard what the
postmaster said and, Of course, you
would not want me to leave a person
TO perhaps die just on account OF an
engagement ring, would you? We can
go tomorrow to get that, you know,
but this accident can't wait. Why,
Madeleine, don't you see how it is,
and can't you accept it? Of course
am sorry"
VOT1 ut
give you one more chance. Either turn
your car around now and take me to
Boston or you need not buy me an en-
gagement ring" The car went stead
lily ahead and the bridge came in sight.
There was crowd outside the Per
kins farmhouse, and Doctor Vain
wright drew up and stepped out. Just
as you wish, Madeleine" he said quiet
II. 81 know you are angry and unrea-
sonable now, but think it over.
Finally, after perhaps half an hour,
Mrs. Perkins small son came running
out to her. doc Wainwright wants
you to come right up to the house.
He's got 10 give ether and wants you
TO help him." Madeleine followed him
as quickly as-she could. The doctor
met her at the door. He was coat
less, his shirt front was mussed up and
he looked worried.
Hurry, dear" he said. 81 need
help. It is serious, but not dangerous,
as l got here just in time" AID Doc
tor Wainwright led the way into Mrs.
Perkins spare room where the injured
man lay. One glance at the face, and
Madeleine grew deathly white. She
thought she must faint, but the doc
tors words. ''You can help save him
if you keep your nerve" braced her.
and with an effort she steeled herself
and turned to him.
"Jack Wainwright" she said be-
tween set teeth. I'm sorry for my
harsh words to you, but If you save
that man I'd be willing to die for you.
That's my dad"
"Well, what do you know about
that?" drawled Miss Hines, the
stenogrcpher from Boston. few hours
totor ,,-s,or the nous hod reached sIho