The Lamar register., 1919-11-26

NO, l am sincere. rediiy neeu
some one. and you have had expert
ence with drugs" he said patiently.
The quiet reproof in his voice was
enough. Forgive me. l hardly know
what l am saying. Yes. II can serve
you. want to-"
"All right" he said, cheerfully.
Wen consider the matter settled"
So 1t came about that after week
she found herself In charge Of the doc.
tors pleasant office.
From the day she had seen her blue
SCARED face she had not looked into
mirror She combed her hair by
arranging small mirror in such
way that her face was not revealed.
The pitying glances of the patients
WHO came in was all the mirror she
needed. Keener. too, was Walters
gentleness, and the way his eyes would
rest upon her in moments when she
guessed he did not realize that she
knew he was looking at her. Every
thing seemed to combine to make life
more and more dismal as she looked
down the slope of the years.
Worst Of all, and unguessed, she
found herself being drawn more and
more to the tall, handsome physician.
His personality seemed to the weak
cned and worried girl a shelter within
which there was kindliness and peace.
The full force of the situation did
not strike her until ore momentous
day. when n girl came into the office.
lovely with the lovellness that Is al
ways suggestive Of June time and
roses She was welcomed with mani
fest pleasure by Walter. and the strick-
en- girl In her simple gray and white
dress felt the world sink about her.
81 must be brave" she said to her
self must. He just pities me. and
! must not trouble him."
Two weeks went by. The Junetlde
girl came aud went with Walter: and
his interest in her presence was evil
dent
Then came the day that bore with
1t change Of destiny.
The Junetide girl. her face flushed
with JOY. hurried from the office. end
Walter. following with as much pleas
ure shining on his. went with her.
Doris watched them go, and guess
ing what had taken place between
them. felt the room about her grow
gray as with dusk. From her world
the last sunshine went. Through the
darkness came suggestion. She
tremhled. To go through life alone
an object of pity when she was so hun
CRY for love. for beauty and happiness
and youth-lt was too much.
The afternoon vHned. The din Of
the great city ehbod into the low mon
otone suggestive of tides that have
spent their force. drawing outward TO
the sea. She sat In silence. then quiet
ly she went 10 the cabinet in which he
kept the drugs with which he stocked
his case She knew every compart-
ment. From bottle she shook out
with steady hand three tablets-mor-
phine-enough to send her into the
long and restful sleep which would
carry her beyond suffering. beyond
pity. beyond heartache.
Taking them. and shlvering only
slightly IN the act. she turned to the
couch and lay down. 81 am sorry.
dear for the trouble and bother ! shall
cause you, but I am weary beyond
wenriness."
out Of the darkness came q voice.
lnsistent firm and thrilling. with a
meaning that broke into her conscious
ness. She opened her eyes, feeling
strangely rested and at peace.
The lights were soft and sh,nlng in
the office. Rneeling beside her. his
face strained with anxious question.
was Walter
"Doris. Doris. what have you been
trying to dor" The grief In his voice
woke her to full consciousness Sanity
came. with a low cry she sprang up.
TO find herself caught In his arms
and held tight.
."Don't pity mel" she begged breath
lessly.
His voice Indicated that he had
found himself 81 don't pity you" He
drew her closer to him. 81 love you !
How blind you have been Haven't you
SEEM
"Seen? You love me-me?" she
questioned in whisper.