Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1924-08-08
THE DOCTOR MAN

BY cLARIssA MAckIE

lonely, undivided life was not
making for her own happiness, she got
out her cheap little motor car, washed
1t until 1t reflected the morning sun
and rolled over the hills to Drayches.
ter, the nearest city. There, In the
large orphan asylum, she placed her
self on record as Offering a home to
one child under five, boy preferred.
Celia herself was as neat and pretty
and as spotless, too, us her attractive
home. She was almost forty now and
her dark hair was streaked with gray
that was very becoming, especially
when Celia wore plnk-and she wore
pink very often.
"Auntie, your eyes ure like brown
pansles, said small Jlmsie when he
came to Miss Celia from the asylum.
He was a pale, delicate child of four
and he reveled In the beautiful gar
den where Celia had worked so many
years.
Every day Jimsie took little bas-
ket and picked up the eggs laid by his
own three little Leghorn hens. Today
he was coming from the chicken yard
with this tender burden, deciding that
he would like his egg poached for sup
per, and dear Aunt Celin should have
the other egg
Coming around the corner of the
house he heard voices and paused,
One was Cella's sweet low tones, the
other voice had tie nasal twang of a
woman he disllked.
"A child Is such responsibility"
twanged the voice of Martha Smith,
and can make sight of hard work"
"A child IL u great responsibility and
a wonderful blessing" amended Celia
softly. Dear Mrs. Smith, am pray
Ing every day for guidance"
you need the prayers Of the com
munlty," snapped Martha.
Il hope | will have those, too"
Use pwayin' pwayers," lIsped Jim.
sic coming around the lockwood bush.
Listening, eh2 Sneaky2
Jimsie nodded. 1--WE got sneakers
upstairs" he said proudly.
Are you good boy?" asked Mar
tina as Celia took the little boy ON her
lap.
He looked at her gravely. "some-
times"
Hum What have you done today,
young mann"
II was quite bad just now, Miss
Smith,"
"What did you dor"
II curled up my nose at you" smiled
Jimsie, frankly unashamed.
"Oh, Jimsle" and Celia buried a
pink face in his curly hair. Martha,
! am so sorry, Jimsie shall be pun
ished-he cannot have any honey on
his bread tonight"
Notified by this prospect Of punish.
ment to the naughty little boy, Martha
went home, her hands full of roses
from the garden.
When she was out of sight Jlmsle
turned repentant face up to Celia.
Never do It again, auntie," he prom
lsed. Suddenly he looked sharply at
her. you didn't know don't like
honeyi"
And that night Jimsle had plain
bread and butter and milk without a
drop Of honey to sweeten It,
Later In the summer Jlmsie was
taken sick with feverlsh cold Celia
called In her own doctor, but Jlmsle
would have none Of him. He cried
bitterly for his "Own doctor man."
until at last Celia telephoned the asy-
lum and they promised to send one Of
their physicians, Doctor Blair.
Blair" repeated Celia with fright
ened look In her pansy eyes. "Of
course, 1t could not be Ralph Blair,
for he has been living In San Francisco
for years"
But 1t was Ralph Blair--older, a lit
tie worn with hard work and Inward
sorrow. His meeting with Celia was
brief.
II did not know that you were mar
RED" he said, looking down at her
from his great height.
II am not" said Celia, and told the
story Of Jlmsle. who had cried for him.
Relief came into his tired eyes.
"Jlmsie was like my own little lad
to me-" he said kindly I'm hard,
workaday world 1t Is pleasant to find
some one who watches the door for
my coming and who sorrows when I
90. Let me go to him now, Celia"
How easily the old familiar name
slipped from his lips land he did not
even know that he had called her
that
Celia's heart was warm with new
sensation when she ushered Doctor
Blair into her own room where Jimsle
was lying on the big four-poster bed.
hi - HI it's my doctor-man,"
croaked Jimsle hoarsely, lifting his
arms Joyfully. Il been pwayln' for
your
At last there came one long dread.
full night when they both watched
breathlessly with the small form be-
tween them. The doctor came around
the bed--and they prayed together
until with the dawn new life came to
Jlmsle and he awoke to smile
at them.
HE loves you so. doctor, he should
belong to you" said Celia summonlng
her courage and strength for a sacri-
hce.
HE loves US both, Celia, and | love
both Of you" doomed the doctors deep
voice, "and so II remains with
you. :"
Celia settled that question by going
straight to his arms, and so when
Jlmsie was quite well again, he had
a very wonderful experience. He ac-
comp0nled his adopted parents and
shared their honeymoon; perhaps a
tiny satellite, who can tell7