The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-11-24

tleman preferred you as you were be-
fore, II would seem only to be neces-
sary now to remake yourself more
nearly to his hearts desire"
Miss Mercedes tears stopped.
'How beautifully you do say things"
she beamed. Il must 'remake' myself
more nearly to his hearts desire? /
think that's very lovely"
Since time was pressing, 1t did not
seem worth while to point out that
Fitzgerald had done more justice to
Omar's thought. Smif began to
sum up:
+As I understand your case. the
only obstacle between you and your
lover is your size. What is called for
is self-denial on your part. should
not think of advising either diet or
treatment. The most should be will
ing to do is to suggest a physician
who to my knowledge has been sue
cessful in similar cases."
Miss Mercedes now exhibited an un-
suspected trace of. native shrewdness.
IF you don't mind my asking. have
you gone to him yourself?"
AS Sniff could read in her face that.
IL she had, her visitor did not think
highly of the result, she permitted
herself broad grin.
sNo, I've never taken any treatment.
/ can't afford to. My time is too
valuable"
Him." said Miss Mercedes specu.
latively.
"If you wish me to do SO, I'll call
the doctor this afternoon and speak
about the case If he says he can help
you, I'll make an appointment for you
and 1t will then be possible for you to
decide for yourself whether 1t is worth
while to begin his treatments"
"Hm," said Miss Mercedes again.
'I've got better idea than that"
"You have" said Sniff.
~ have an idea that's nothing short
of an inspiration" Miss Mercedes be-
gan firmly. II only hope you'll agree
to It." Sniff waited expectantly and
she went on: "You see. moneys prac.
tically no object to me. I've plenty
of my own, and for the last four years
I've not begun to spend my income.
Then Johnny's simply rolling. If I
marry him never mean to consider
the price of anything again as long
as I live. So, looking at this as a
business proposition, it will pay me to
find out what this treatment is worth
before try 1t on myself"
"And how do you propose to do
that?" Sniff inquired, although she al
ready had an inkling of what was agi-
tating Miss Mercedes shrewd mind.
"What is your idea?''
"To try 1t on you," Miss Mercedes
answered simply
For minute Sniff was inclined to
refuse to consider this proposal.
Vaguely she felt insulted by 1t, though
where the insult lay she could not say.
Then she relaxed.
"In other words, you want a whip
ping boy. Well, believe that was
formerly regarded as an honorable
post. What is your suggestion for the
arrangement to be made between us?
And have you taken into consideration
the fact that the causes'of our too, too
solid flesh may be totally different?"
''If find him successful with you.
1t will give me confidence that he win
be with me. too"
Smif's opinion of Mercy's common
sense, which had been low, was rising
with every word she said now that the
subject Of her love affair was left in
the background. "As to the remunera-
ton, should feel that you ought to be
satisfied If paid your doctors bills"
"Sorry." said Sniff briefly. "we'll let
the matter drop. do not find myself
interested In your proposition. Sup
pose give you Doctor Blanton's ad-
dress and you can make arrangements
with him or moi. as best suits you?
Any good man would probably do as
well for you, but l happen to have
confidence in him."
'You think there is no other course
open to me? What about mental sci
ence of some sort? Absent treatment?
The power of mind over matter?
must do something. I'd go through
anything for Johnny's sake; it's only
that I've made up my mind want to,
see the result of treatment given som&
one else before submit to it." NJ
whimpered, yet 1t was eviden
with her mind made up wac Az
made up once and for all time,
Sniff was becoming bored
"Really, Miss Mercedes" she Began,
II do not believe that you should have
any difficulty in finding some one who
would accept an offer such as you sug-
gested If you added small fee.
cannot help you there"
"Why won't you do it?" Feeling
herself dismissed the lady began slow
ly to work her fat hands into gloves
several sizes too small for her.
because I am a business woman
whose time has very definite value.
Moreover, am by no means sure my
size is not an asset in my business
There is something about it that in
spires confidence. might be making
a mistake to reduce. At al events it
49,