The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-05
Eoening Story
Wasting Time.
BY R RAY BAKER.

come to realize he's right. You've had
your opportunity and you've proven
yourself a failure How can you ex-
pect me to marry you?"
Mildred Stewart spoke in rather
unfeeling manner. She sat in a rock
ing. chair while Bert Townsend occu-
pied a davenport nearby. About them
were evidences of a hurricane having
struck the interior of the house. The
floors were bare of rugs and the wall
of pictures. Little furniture could be
seen.
1T seems to me-" Mildred went on,
that our leaving Omo-father and L
lis the best thing. It's an oppor-
tunity for US to call # qtits- 1 can't
marry a failure. 1t Isn't the finan-
cial angle of il SO much; it's just the
idea of having failure for a hus-
band.'
She captured some stray yellow
locks and tucked them beneath the
dust cap she was wearing. Her face,
with perfect complexion and features,
bore an expression betokening reso-
lutte purpose.
Bert. his dark face grave, looked
silently out the window for a moment,
then turned and said quietly with a
wry smile:
Yes, Mildred, I'm a failure; at
least in a business way"
And that's what counts" Mildred
said quickly. You're a graduate of a
medical school: you have a diploma
and also an office with a sign in front.
But you have no practice"
True, true" he agreed sadly. 81
have no practice, SO I'm a failure. 1
might be even SO good physician, but
! haven't the trade. Still, all my pa
tients are living except one. and he
died OF old age..'
That's it, Mildred said. you
haven't lost a patient because you
haven't had many. And the only ones
VINO came to you were those turned
down by other physicians because they
DIDN'T nave money to pay their bills.
You have careless way about YOU
mat shows you lack a sense of re-
sponsloility. Bert, your way of speak,
ing, your bearing. the manner in
winch you dress show lack of RESPONSE
pity. Il have asked you to give UP
the idea of being a doctor ana really
go TO work, but you repeatedly refused.
so I've decided to concur in fathers
WISHES and give you up. I'll say good
by now and never see you again"
Far into the night light burned in
Doctor Townsend's office while he
sat and smoked a pipe and Thought
and thought, and thought
Far into the night a light burned in
Mildred Stewards room. She sat on
the edge of the bed and tore letters
into fine shreds and threw them into
a waste basket. and cried now and
then. and occasionally looked at a pic
ture standing on her dressing table.
-Whlie sne had heen speaking in 4ap-
parently an unf> ling manner to Bert,
her heart had been breaking.
1t was inconsistencies as much as
anything that took Wiibert Stewart
and his daughter back to Tennessee.
They longed for a sight of the Unaka
mountains, in whose shadow the fam
ily mad lived for generations. So Mr.
Stewart sold out his hardware bust
ness ness in Newark and purchased a
peanut plantation in Tennessee.
Before settling on the plantation Mr..
stewart and his daughter went on a
camping trip in the mountains. The
Iather needed vacation from work
and Mildred's mind needed a vacation
from pondering over her unsuccessful
love affair.
With them they took mountaineer
guide, and they selected a deserted
hut as their temporary abode. The
outing was enjoyable for every one
concerned until Mr.. Stewart con-
tracted severe cold, and was Obliged
to take to his bunk and remain there
Fever took hold and his condition
rapidly became serious.
We've got to have a DOCTOR" Mil
dred decided one morning. as she sat
at her fathers bedside, listening to
his ineeherent chatter. I've done all
l caa, Jim, and so have you. I can't
diagnose the case
Me neither" said Jim, lowering
helpless nearby. Its got me. We
sure need doctor, but 1 never heard
of one round here"
eco to Slope Side and see if you
can't find one" she pleaded. There
may be some one there who can help
U.S."
1t did not offer much encourage
ment. but Jim set out, astride a horse,
at his best gait. !
All dav Mildred sat by her father.
watching from the cabin window for
Jim's returning. 1t was long way to
Slope Side.
IT'S all over, I'm afraid Mildred
was whispering some time later, when
the door opened ana Jim stepped in
followed by a young man in noun
taineer's garb.
"Bert!' Mildred calculated. why,
how =
mo mystery" said Bert cencisely,
taking her hand for an instant. y
just simply had to be in the same state
as you, SO I'm living in the mountains
of Tennessee"
He unstrapped a medicine case from
about his body and after a close ex-
animation of the patent mixed por'
ton in a glass and forced it between
the sick mans lips.
What is it? Is there any hopper"
Mildred breathed anxiously.
pneumonia Bert returned simply
THE crisis is due tonight. There's
always hope You go to bed; you need
the rest I'll never leave until your
fathers past the crisis"
At first Mildred refused to obey the
order. but she had been without sleep
for forty eight hours, and before she
realized it her eyes were closing in
slumber,- and presently she dropped
back exhausted on the bunk on which
she had been sitting. Old Jim covered
her with blanket. then retired in his
own bunk, tagged from the long, hard
ride.
About midnight Mildred awoke. A
kerosene lamp on the table threw
strange shadows, as the flame waxed
and waned. An occasional moan from