Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1923-03-09

| w. lVE2, Wentern Newspaper Union.)
The shrewd surgeon sat looking at
the girl. a half-mocking, hnlf-lndulgent
expression in his gray eyes. The girl,
amused, returned his gaze. She was
lounging gracefully In the most com
Portable chair her hostess room afford.
ed. She was small creature, as dain,
| tily dressed and formed as a Dresden
| figure. ..a.a
We'll" she asked, with mild intel
est, what Is the verdict2
beg pardon" the big man said. 'T
dare say | was staring rudely the I'M
conscious rudeness born of studying
ones patients"
a. the girl objected, IAN not a pa
tlent. Perhaps, however, you may have
formed some helpful character dag
nosls. Your scrutiny registered dIssat-
lsfaction. Where do | offend2"
Doctor Homer Amsden leaned for
ward impulsively; he took the young
woman's hands In his own, looking
down upon them. They were beautiful
hands, the nails pink and tapering, the
slender fingers, white and soft as vel
vet. The physician frowned.
Dolls hands," he said, GROSSLY. "The
typical hand Of the modern pleasure
loving and admired woman. Not one
callous of worthy toll-not the hand
of our mothers. palms roughened, In
unselfish effort for home and family
broadened through loving labor"
The surgeon laughed shortly. "You
must be commended for your good
nature, ut least" he said. II have
learned brusqueness and brutal frank
ness In the school Of my profession"
"And have earned" added the girl,
"a reputation, thereby, of skill. Tell
mel am curlous-how do you happen
to come to this humble Hampdon2"
u came at the request OF n valued
friend" the physician told her.
You have met, Of course, young
Doctor Philips? He Is almost an idol
here, and with reason. His life ls prac-
tlcally given over to the villagers. II
he were not held by enforced family
ties Paul would make name for him
self in the bigger world. We were
school companions. l, free from family
obligation, went away, as they used
to say, to make my fortune. Paul
stayed because his widowed mother
was dependent invalid. His only sis
ter, crippled from childhood, became an
added burden. so Paul lives In this
little corner Of the world, q life OF sac
rfce and devotion, cheerful, uncom-
planning In his solitary lot. Solitary In
that sense that he may never be free
to marry"
Coralie Curtis carefully adjusted her
anaalflasl-
woman Will be glad to share his trials
for his dear sake"
Pnul's friend laughed replniscently
"You have not" he said, apparently
met Paul's family"
"Dificult" questioned Coralie.
For years" the doctor replied, paul
has been begging to have the living
room of the old family home repapered
to present needs; the other rooms
undermined and made more cheerful.
| see today the same riotous rose
paper, the same antlquated gloom.
There IL no ruler more despotic than
your invalid"
Coralle sighed her blue eyes be-
tween their darl-frlnged lids were very
grave.
~ am sorry" she said Paul Phil
lbs Is all worthy OF happiness"
you know hlmT
"Only since came here to visit this
old friend Of my mothers. | am now
quite alone In the world and even con.
slderlng making Hampton my future
home. Different from the great city
but friendly"
81 heard Of you" the surgeon said,
Immediately after my arrival"
Carelessly she seated herself before
the piano; melody rlppled forth,
sweet az a BIRDS song. THAT" she
laughed back at him, "the hands cnn
do"
Paul telephoned the surgeon that
night at the Inn. 1--WE been busy over
at the Hudson's.' he explained, "two
children down with dlphtherla. Tried
everywhere to get a nurse for Mrs.
Hudson. Miss Curtis Ii visiting there,
you know, and ! tried to got her out
before quarantine, but she would not
go Insisted on remaining to nurse
those kids. III only'-Paul Philips
paused-"Mlss Curtis escapes, she's
never had the disease. win you go
with me to the skin.graftlng case In
the mOrningr
II will" answered the surgeon,
abruptly, and hung up the receiver
"If only C0rnlie does not contract
the dlsense," he muttered.
The boy who had been badly burned
welcomed the doctor next morning as
the comforting event Of his day, II
sinking old grandmother, bent, trou-
bled above him. Il don't know she
murmured, "why Miss COralle didn't
come last night, M usual
"she could not come" Paul said.
"she Is In quarantine We will have
to do our best"
one month later, when Tony's
wounds were healed, the surgeon came
again to Hampton Coralie received
him In the same pleasant living room.
Smiling, she held out her hands; the
surgeon clasped them close.
IF might he said, tenderly, IL
would claim these little mlnlsterlng
hands, 10 keep them forever my own"
They are patient hands, she said,
softly, "and 50, however long II may
be, they will walt for Paul. Ready,
meantime, 10 help him In his work