The daily Alaskan., 1920-09-04
DAVID'S HOUR
By JACK LAYTON.

David sat before the fireplace iu the cozy room and looked earnestly at ms | old friend The room, was lined with books; and desk stood in the center; 1 half curtains were at the window, where ruGrIcd curtains had been, and 6 doctors sign with gilt lettering hung | above: David had done his best to | turn his mothers sitting room into q doctors consulting office. The old
 friend looked back at David, and sym pathy was in his gaze.
 Its tough" he said, after all the years you've planned for this, boy to
 have 1t fall through. Your mother and he used to sit and talk Of the time when you'd come back from col lere and have the whole town calling you for their sick. You'd a made 1 good doctor. too; there's no question about 1t. Bctter'n the big one that's come out of the city. Hes had none of the struggles you've had 10 ma his place.
 His dad is one of the big specialists In the city. Thought 1t would be good thing to start his son on his own feet so he bought him the Callum place and got him established. We sure dld need a doctor. Old Doc Wells | dropping or sudden. this new one fell soft into his place, the place that
 should have been waiting for you. | David. Everyone seemed to take to , Doc Rrereton right or. Maybe It was his fine car that impressed 'em, or the hOuSckeeper in cap and tucker that opens the door ut his house. Anyway, I'm sure there's nothing for you here now, son. an you'd better hunt an- other stand. Rent this house and
 start out for another town. We'll miss you, hut I'm telling you just how | things are"
 David nodded grovely, Thanks" 1 he replied. "hur I guess I'll stick; Doctor Brereton may take all the reg ular patients. can see how our fami- 1 lies would wclcuiur a city practitioner. | But there must be others who could use me; the lower town folks per | haps. or those across the bridge"
 Land alive hoy," the old man eX- i claimed "how'd you expect to make a living ofr those folks? Most of ems on charity now"
 "I always have managed to live some way" David said slowly.
 You have. David" Dan warmly i agreed "and against all odds you've | reached your chosen goal"
 The old man paused. Helen Carson rides out good dcul with Doc Ere i rnton." he said hruSQuely, some folks ! think it's going to be match. Sure would suit her father down to the ground; you know how Carson is-no { one round here ever was good enough : for his daughter"
 1 No one. you mean" David correct ! ed. had money enough, in his opinion, 1 10 be eligible as a husband for his | daughter"
 ! That's it." Dan said. "and tho girl ! cares SD much for her fool father that 1 she'd never cross him. We'll good night David I'm sorry you haven't l a better welromr"
 1 David decided to stick and do what { he could IIr met Nell next day. She was driving with the capable and conf- , dpnr Errrrrnn, and after her little eager ! cry. Nell had in a whispered word . asked to he allowed to speak :o him.
 H. was fortunate in meeting the girl after th"r. down by the bridge I now white with The Snows of winter, or | i1 tnr wood r"od perhaps. with ever 1 ~rrrnS on ci-h.r side. And Nell con. ! frS>rd ,o him thar.IIal Brereton want i cl her for his wife. and that her father wanted lt too.
 And you care for him. Ncll?" he managed to GSk.
 ' The girl regarded him quietly. i "Certalnlv mol, David" she said; 'T shall never marry Hal Rrcrcton." i David'> heart sung as he walked i home alone
 I From deSpairiu=. waiting hours of IdIcress. tho telephone called him. He 1 was wanted at HillcreSt. "Ill come ar once, ne responded, | and started unhcIicvingly. i IlHlrrpSt was the new doctors as- SurrI province The phone called l again as David drew on his coat . then sriu again! He was to he very ! busy, he told himself juhllantly. Then | came the explanation. Old Dan gave it over the wire.
 "The epidemic has caught Doctor Brereton." he said. Hes q sick man, and his patients are all scared. tc ' death because there isn't another doc. ! tor within two miles, and not one would venture out on these roads in | this blizzard and weather Go to It. | Davy; cure 'em all up, and make your 1 reputation" And that Is exactly what David did. ! FearleSSly he attended every sick bed, thankful for the experience which | had been given him in this dreaded disease. lis skill was soon recognized David had arrived. Carson, the im-