The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-18
. SERIAL STORY
 MRS. DOC WToM HoesER ss: ss-=::# .. s=s

Frank, Alan" Emily sat up straight. What have you done about the St. Louis offer?"
 "Oh, that. Why - nothing, yet, dear. Why do you ask?"
 What are you going to do about it?"
 ITO tell you the truth, Emily, I haven't thought much about it. Been too busy. I'll write Peterson tomorrow - or the next day or so. Whats the matter, honey? Don't worry your pretty head about it."
 Wont you write Dr. Peterson to- morrow, tell him you'll take the po- sition?" She turned her face to his. For me, Alan"
 For you? I don't understand"
 For me. For us. Before it's too late. Alan Alan darling, we must go back to St. Louis" Her face was against his knee again; sobs shook her body. Alan sat on the floor beside her, turned her chin so that he could look at her.
 "It's this town, Alan. It's doing something to us." She stified her sobs. Its not the same. It never has been the same. Let's go back before it's too late"
 Alan was serious. I'm sorry If I'm dull, Emily" he said bluntly. Just what are you talking about?"
 About you, about me. Ever since we came to Sumner it has been the same. You're not inter ested in me, in our home, in any thing we do. You don't care about parties, about friends. You're never at home. You're gone in the morning before I'm awake. Some times you get home for lunch, usually not. I've eaten so many dinners alone I almost have to tell Herminia to set your place.
 "All you think about are your patients - this ones appendix, that ones stomach. Somebody else's baby"
 You're not being quite fair, Emily. This is my life, these are my people. have to take care of them. have to do my best to cure them. This is my job here"
 But 1t isn't. Your job can be in the medical school in St. Louis just as well as here. You can do 10 times the work there you'll ever do here. You're wasting your time taking care of Sumner while you could be actually accomplish ing great things somewhere else"
 But I like 1t here. My father was country doctor. That's all I want to be. can't do anything greater than bring these people medical care to the best of my ability. We have everything we want. That's all I ask"
 That was 1t content to be a country doctor, content to worry about the aches and pains of all of these people; content to live in by- gone era.
 That's not all I ask" Emily con- tinued. "I'm tired of being alone, of never knowing when I'll see you. I hate going places, and either rush. ing home before the party is over, or coming home with someone else. I can't stand 1t. won't stand it."
 Emily, you're just getting your self disturbed without cause" Alan's voice was gentle. "Ill ad- init I haven't been very consid- crate of you, but I have been awful ly busy. I'll do better. I'll"
 But you won't, Alan, and you know it," Emily said bitterly. Every time the telephone rings, you'll jump, just as you always do. For a few days, perhaps, you'll make special effort to get home to dinner. You might even let Dr. Farrell take care of a case or two so that you could stay at a party. But eventually, you'll be right back where you are now.
 Either you break entirely, or you stay in the same rut. Are you, or are you not, going to accept Dr. Peter sons offer?"
 Since you ask 1t. Emily. I am not"
 Emily did not answer. Alan had her to explode in an angry outburst, and her silence surprised him. For long time they sat there their hands almost touching - but not quite.
 At last she rose to her feet, seated herself in a chair. Her hand shook little aS sha liuhfed 8 cigaret.
 Eric Kane is in love with me, Alan" She spoke calmly, slowly, as if selecting each word.
 Alan turned quickly. It was as If someone had struck him.
 "He just kissed me, there in the car"
 She could see his lips compress into thin line, see his jaw set, see his eyes grow narrower and darker. He was quiet, and cool deadly cool. He could have killed Eric in that same terrifying calm ness.
 He's gone, and he won't come back" Emily went on.
 He'd better not" Alan an- swered grimly.
 He's gone because he was your friend. because he would not be- tray the faith you placed in him. He's fine, Alan. He left even though he could sec"
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