The Coolidge examiner., 1934-05-18

Z Footsteps aroused her, how much
later she did not know. Janie's eye
lids we're weighted with lead. Lifting
them required a tremendous effort
She decided just to walt. The foot
steps came nearer. halted FOR n mo-
meur seemed 10 be walking to-
wards her up 20 the side porch
steps. A voice said. Good after
noon"
II was n mans voice. low and pleas
ant and ever so family amused
Moreover. Il vas entirely unfa-
millhr. jamie opened her eyes.
A young man was standing on
the top porch steps holding bis hat
In his hands. Her FIRST impression
was a sleepy tumble OF broad tweed
shoulders. brown eyes. sunburn. n
nose that was Just a nose. wide
mouth. a square sort OF chin and n
golden brown necktle that looked
expensive. JAMIE jerked up from
the cushions as though some one
had pulled Invisible strings.
This Is Doctor Billiards. resi-
dence. Isn't itT' be asked.
jamie nodded.
"Is the doctor homer"
"Not now" she answered "aud
the Office door Is around al the other
side"
I'm not a patient" He smiled
down at the small grave person IN
the hammock. Her hair was tousled.
Her cheeks we're flushed. She looked.
though she did not know II. very
sleepy and cross and just about
twelve years old I'm Hugh Ken
nedy." he said. as though the name
might serve as n passport into any
small persons esteem.
II did JAMIE glanced with new
interes, at this smiling young man.
"Oh." she said. You're Fathers
legacy"
You might call me that. ] sup
pose" He continued to smile. II
crInkled his eyes and made them
friendly jamie approved OF his
eyes.
I'VE DO, she confessed. "Just In
the family. OF course"
Il wrote Doctor Ballard. Doesn't
be expect met"
Father Is careless about letters. ="
jamie explained. "It's probably In
or on his Office desk under a book
about bones and a couple of bills
from the plumber. Slt down" she
added. remembering her manners.
Thank you. lie settled him.
SELF into a rocker beside the ham
mock. Are you Doctor Ballards
little girlT"
I'm JAMIE" she answered. ~and
almos, entirely grown up"
How grown up1 Older than
twelve and a hnlf7"
I'm n Moral Influence" she said
20 impress this smiling young man.
Il keep little boys from breaking
windows and shooting craps I'm
the assistant director OF the commu-
nifty playground"
Il beg your pardon" he apollo
gized. Il thought you were a
child"
People do" jamie sighed plain
lively. Il had 10 produce a birth
certificate before they would give me
the playground Job even though I've
lived here all my life And the po-
llceman down there Is always get
ting me mixed up with the urchlns
IL makes life very difficult"
he laughed AZ that His teeth
were even and very white. Viewed
singly. as they emerged from the
sleepy tumble. his features were not
unattractiye. His hair. jamie de-
cided. just escaped being red. His
mouth quIrked humorously at the
corners. He wasn't exactly hand.
some, but he looked Ike somebody
IL would be pleasant 10 know. She
began TO enjoy herself. She was
so seldom permitted 10 occupy the
center OF the stage Celia saw 10
that. But Celia. thanks 10 dear
Aunt Rose. was safely out OF the
way JAMIE became expansive.
Actually meeting you" she said.
as Ike seeing the prince OF Wales
or Billy Sunday or You know,
somebody you've heard OF all your
life but never expected to behold
with your own eyes. Father never
told us much. except that your IA
ther had asked him to let you work
here as assistant when you finished
at the hospital. And then later
there was letter from a lawyer In
New York"
ITS legal, all right" he said
bit grlmly. my sister Louise did
her best but II wasn't any use. She
wept over me as though had been
sentenced TO prison. Anyway. I'm
here 10 stay for a year"
Father needs somebody" jamie
said gravely. He works too hard
all the time"
Hes splendid" Young Doctor
Kennedy's voice sounded warm and
sincere. HE came for commence.
ment when l graduated from JefI.
l He opd nv dad ,rara c1oes,,,, ., ~.