The Press., 1922-09-28


 kitchen where Bob gave Polly nn i'm aginary lecture on dishwaShing as 1 he wielded the dish mop and SpIHShed i his big hands about in the hot soap studs.
 Then came a feeble knock at the door. then a knock that was more vigorous Bob quickly dried his hands on the kitchen towel, slipped into his coat and hurried to the door,
 Flash on the porch light before you open the door," said Polly. and they both went toward the front hall. When they first looked out on the front porch | they could see no one; that was be- cause the person who had knocked at the door was lying limp beneath the folds of a heavy ulster just before the threshold.
 It proved to be Bronson Todd, the mayor of HillsborO, and it was no very easy task for Bob to carry the pros trate sIx-fOOt mayor into the reception room of the little white cottage. With Pnlly'S help he spread him out on the lounge and then the eyes opened and looked out at first in perpleXity.
 Explanations did not follow. were not e~nn permitted by Doctor Hill. who was at once immensely professional and not at all ratIIed evrn if il was her very first case until after the pa tient had been examined. Tl:pre was rather badly Sprained anki2 and H bruised knee. The mayor had f"Il.'H on the sidewalk in front of the house and only lost consciousness after he had managed to drag himself up Ihe front steps and to knock nt tiic door.
 Dr. Polly Hill made :! :' mayor "f HiIIborn u$ comfortable ::> t'"-~'h'" and after he had rt'>,eG far 3 Ii !! u.hiln hr,r.,'' ht''' :f .',''',. broth-a by-prOduct of ti,4 expensive stew dinner time-which tiic patient drank with relish.
 ''I was going to suggest" began the young doctor, little less bravely than might be, that 1t would be better for you to rest here, possibly all night. The slightest effort might cause pain to the strained tendOnS, and ny brother could lie on cot in the next room so that If you wanted anything In the meantime, hadn't we better telephone to Mrs. Todd? She may be anxious"
 ''Oh, there's no Mrs Bronson Todd" said the patient with a smile that seemed to irrltate Polly. He seemed ! to be pleased to think that he was bachelor. He was just the good look ing sort of well-built young man who | ought to be ashamed not to be married by thirty. and he must be thirty. Who | ever heard of a mayor under thirty? ! Still he wasn't the least gray-"But | you might telephone to the steward at ! the club" Mayor Todd interrupted Pnlly'S musings. "I live al the club. and he takes a sort of interest in me"
 Polly gave her brother instructions for this telephone message. Then she approached the prOstrute mayor with another suggestion.
 Possibly you would like to have your own dOctOr?" she said.
 'I am with my own doctor" he said. This Is the first time that have had doctor we'll since was twelve. and had the measles. I've never need ed one. I am perfectly satisfied"
 "hCn | Olly Sd" llCl DIOlIISI illCl | the patient was asleep on the recep- ton room lounge she could no longer conceal her own anxiety. "He slipped on our front walk You said you wanted to shovel 1t. It was all my after what we said about getting patients, oh, It was dreadful even to joke about anything so seri- ous"
 When 1t was decided that the young mayor could be moved via motOrcar to his club the next afternoon, he said frankly that he was sorry to go.
 Doctor" he said, you'll look after the case, won't yOuH Perhaps you'd better drop in tomorrow. In the meantime I'd feel better If I settled my account for as far as 1t has gone. You have had to devote your entire time to this case"
 But, of course, there are to be no charges" said pr. Polly Hill. turning 'ather pale. Tt was our fault that you slipped We hadn't shOveled our walk. We should at least stand all he doctors fees. You might ask dam- ages, besides"
 The mayor smiled. "Who ever heard of such q thing? You might