The Era-leader. [volume] (Franklinton, La.) 1910-current, 1921-04-14
SIMPLE SIMON
By ADDiE GRAVES.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
$40. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate

(4. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate''
81 wouldn't marry Merle Morrill, II
every hair of his head was a thread OF
gold-and on the end was suspended a
diamondw
So said Sadie Sanderson, tossing her
bobbed head in dainty disdain. Sao'e
and her friend, Mary Roberts, were
busily engaged shelling peas for can
ming in a rose-arborcd summer house.
Mary looked at her companion resent
fully, and, to a close Observer pity
ingly.
Sadie continued: 81 don't know what
the Simple Simon is thinking OF. lie
certainly had the nerve to think COL
Iege girl, living in the city, would
dream of coming out here to live IN
that shack of a house he has on that
little farm"
Mary was about to reply to the
scornful words, but bit her lip and re-
NAMED silent. Sadie, noticing her retl-
cence, went on: "Its all right for you
to live in the cOuntry-you have
nice big house with modern con-
veniences, a car, and income enough
to enjoy yourselves. But no love IN a
cottage for me with prlmeval methods.
And Merle Morrill, is one Of those Sim
pie simons who would live that way"
Neither Of the girls noticed a rather
more than ordinarily life.sized mascu-
line figure carefully efface himself
from the landscape back of the arbor.
When the girls entered the kitchen
| they found Mrs. Roberts in tears. She
had Just received q telephone message
saying that Aunt Ida's baby girl had
drank some fly poison while at a
neighbours, and was very i'll. Mary
hastily snatched home doctoring book
from the bookcase and started for her
Aunt's. Mrs. Roberts turned to Sadie
and said: "There Is no doctor in town
today. Our physician has been called
to an important surgical case OF an
old patients in the town where ne
practiced before coming here. But
| Merle Morrill, has just graduated from
Hyrvatd Medical school-if he is home,
Mary will ask him to 60 to Aunt 1da's
with her."
! "Why, Aunt Emma, you never men
toned Merle Morrill's being a physi-
cian."
mo: he did not wish anyone to
know. tie worked his way through
college, not being sure Of circum'
stances allowing him to finish. So he
requested us to let people think he was
simply working for living. He is q
quiet, modest, retiring sort Of fellow
Sadie abruptly left the room and
spent the afternoon in torturing anger
with herself. Simple Simon alias
Sadie sanderson, one and the same
Same initials. I made a slight mistake
but I get It now"
Mary found Merle at home just ar
, rived from his uhintentienal caves
dropping, and in not the best of hu
NOR. But when her errand was ex
piained all personal matters were for
gotten iii the activity Of the DOCTOR To
gether they FASTENED to the suffering
child, and together they worked ant
watched for two weeks before feeling
assured Of the baby girls recovery.
Every day Sadie ssndersoh wakes
to Aunt Ida's carrying fruit, flower
and whatever dainties the little CIR
could eat. Wonderingly she watche'
Dr.. Merle Morrill,, emerged from tn
chrysalis Of his farmers role. Coul
this dignifed, self-assured, efficien
man be the Simple Simon who ha'
timidly asked her to be his wife?
Toward the last, when they had fel
the little girls recovery certain, Mar
went home to get some tlecessar
things for herself, leaving Doctor Moi
rill and herself alone. Sadie was t
return to the city in few days with
out something she had never discot
cred she had until It was lost, an
Doctor Morrill, had ia heart. Blu
, he gave no evidence Of possessing 4
Wistfully, Sadie sat and watched hin
Turning her head, she saw Mary juf
about to step On to the veranda; an
+ she could hear Or. Morrill, coming Il
. ward her and the door where Mar
] was to enter.
Would she have to humiliate herse
/ by asking his forgiveness, and no
. beg him to take her for his wife7
! Not now, but soon, she would sc
] him again, alone. With an excuse, 81
went by Mary into the garden
! brushed the tears from her averte
: fuce, and returned to the window
! bid them good afternoon before goir
+ home.
Stunned for a moment by what 81
i saw, she listened. Doctor Morrill, ha
Mary In his arms, showerihg her fat
Z with kisses. Then gazing into tt
worshipful eyes so near his own, /
said: wasn't 1t fortunate I overheal
the remark that l was d Simple s
mon-else never would have disco