Evening star., 1940-12-27

sign the envelopes he sent her. so
she wouldn't be building up false
hopes about her husband.
That's fine. Fine" He got up
and sat on the edge of his desk.
You took those pills I gave you?
And had three meals day?"
The girl laughed and Gale felt a
tug at his heart, the way her eyes
sparkled and her teeth shone. He
thought he'd never seen a prettier
child than this he doubted that she
was a day over 20. And to think
of what she was having to 60
through alone, and in city where
she probably knew no one, made
him shudder deep inside. He was
surprised, too, how she affected
him. Doctors should be hardened
to such cases. Yet somehow he felt
that he'd never be able to harden
himself to cases like hers. He'd
always feel compelled to give them
extra help, take care of them with
out expecting to get paid for his
work.
An UnprOm1Slng Practice.
That was the real disadvantage in
a practice like this among poor peo-
pie. If a doctor had any feelings,
if he had any normal human SYM
pathy in his heart. he'd never in
all the world make money from a
practice among the poor. He'd give
his work away; he'd suffer with his
patients in their misery.
Here in the poor district a prac-
tice built itself up while the doc
tor worked in his Office. The fami-
lies were large and one loyal pa
tient would send brothers, sisters,
his wife and his children when they
were taken i'll. They came py the
score with all kinds of ailments. And
they came with pinched faces and
thin bodies, and they bit their lips
when they dug couple of crumpled
bills out of their purses, and you
felt like skunk taking their money
Others came without any money at
all, but with earnest promises to pay
as soon as they were able. And half
Va e2iSiAlJ IL pllCy WC1C W NO1lOllltC w
eat, would never be able.
Well, he was set here now and it
would be hard to pull away. And,
surprisingly enough, it wasn't really
bad. In fact, it was thrilling to know
that he was doing good work for
them regardless of whether thev
paid him or not. There was the
woman with tuberculosis whom he
finally got set at sanitarium. There
was the man with mangled hand
who'd probably never be able to do
his special work again, who had
some compensation money coming
to him but who'd probably be on
relief after that was gone. There
were a lot of others, too. And right
now there was Mrs. Smith.
Gale Makes a Slip.
Hop on the scales there and we'll
see how you're coming along" Gale
said with an easy grin. "Ill bet
you've gained a couple of pounds
already"
He guessed right, and as he Jotted
down the figures Mrs. Smith
beamed. Il think you've brought me
luck, DR.. Barclay" she said ex-
uberantly. Ever since I first came
to see you I've had confidence that
everything would work out all right.
And now Don has a job again and
can send me money and-and ev-
erything -
Don? Oh, yes. Your husband.
Where is he working, Mrs. Smith,"
The words were spoken before Gale
realized what he'd done. Her hus-
band hadn't sent her anything. It
was he, Gale, who'd sent her money.
and she naturaly thought it came
from Don because it had come to
her anonymously.
Il don't know, really" the girl
confessed. And then her wide blue
eyes lighted again with something
like dreams in them. But I'll know
soon; know he'll be coming back
soon. He's in Chicago; I could tell
by the postmark.
Il see," Gale said grufny, damning
himself for leading these words out
OF her. "Well, come in again in a
week or so, and In the meantime
continue to take care of yourself. No
work, lots of sleep and regular
meals" He Strengthened his shoul-
ders, laid his hand gently ON her
back as he guided f'c~ n the door.
vi Is Suspicious.
There was no one else in the re-
ception room except vi, so Gale re-
turned to his desk to look over some
correspondence which he hadr' = j" n
a chance to open before. It was