The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-02-14
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

n
After dinner Pete. tired from
his exertions In the storm. went
over to one of the hunks and flung
himself down on it fully dressed.
Doris tried to rouse Mark but
she could not. She thought that
some of the really delicious cof-
fee might strengthen him.
Sound Asleep
She had grown accustomed to
taking care OF the foodstuff re-
naming after q meal and she did
this carefully now, washing the
pans and even taking the broom
she had found behind the door
and sweeping the floor neatly.
Peter had quickly fallen sound
asleep. He lay sprawled out on
the bunk, his legs apart. He was
close to the edge and one arm
reached almost to the floor.
Doris looked at him occasion
ally, wondering about him. Who
was he? Where had be come
from? And why, If he owned this
cabin and had merely come to fish
or hunt, did he choose a real bliz-
gard as the time in which to ar
rive?
Then, too, why was there any
need for such rudeness What
ever supplies of his they had used
could be replaced very easily she
imagined. The whole thing seemed
rather queer.
Doris remembered with q start
the little scene about his pack.
She had been afraid for a minute
when she tried to open the wrong
pack that he might strike her.
His eyes had blazed with anger.
One would think that something
very much more important than
find slab OF bacon had been at
stake.
Doris estimated, glancing at
him now curiously. that her
strange host must be at least SO
years old. He was powerfully
built. a handsome, dark, bold
eyed type.
She noticed now with a start
that there was a letter in the
pocket of his shirt. As he lay
with one arm flung out toward
the floor the letter had almost
slipped out of his pocket.
1t was ready, at his slightest
move, to tumble on the floor. He
moved, then, suddenly in his
sleep, evidently to ease his posi-
ton.
And just as she had imagined
it would. Doris saw the letter
slide to the floor.
Impelled by something more
than curiosity she went over to
it and picked 1t up. The words
she saw there shot like a bolt of
lightning through her conscious
ness. The letter was addressed,
DIR. Peter Leonard, st. Francis,
Canada"
DR.. Peter Leonard. Doctor!
Without second thought Doris
had hold of the strange mans
shoulder, was shaking him ex-
citedly.
He groaned, muttered some
thing angrily, opened his eyes.
What are you doing? What do
you mean by waking me up?"
You're a doctor?" Doris de-
manded.
In His Pocket
II am not" On the instant
Peter Leonard was wide awake.
"You are a doctor" Doris &C
cused. See, this letter fell from
your shirt pocket"
What do you mean taking my
letters ?"
Then you are a doctor7 1t l,
your letter? l didn't take it
merely picked 1t up. That wal
just an instant ago. Here I an
handing it to you"
We'll, thank you" He took tn,
letter and thrust it into his pocket
Just a minute-you don't ge
by with that" Doris told hin
emphatically. You are a doc
tor ?"
Hate Being One
And II l am, what of it,"
You're going to look at m,
, friend here. You're going to d.
what you can for him.
Shame on you-you a docto
and pretending that you know
nothing about sick people. Your,
|, getting up this minute and trying
to help him"