Red Pepper's Patients / With an Account of Anne Linton's Case in Particular

tor Bur

dark brows, though the hair which showed from under the small and close-fitting hat of black was of a wonderful and contradictory colour. It was almost the shade, it occurred to Amy Mathewson, of that which thatched the head of Red Pepper Burns himself, but it was more picturesq

uired Miss Mathewson, entirel

t did not as a rule encourage the arrival of patients in the office as early as this, knowing that they were apt to become impatient and aggrieved by their long wait. But something about the slightly drooping

he said in a tone of relief. "I really have

ireplace and close beside a broad table whereon the latest current magazines were arranged in orderly piles. The girl sank int

sitting much t

my, noting how heavy were the shadows under the brown eyes with their al

t absolutely without moving, except once when the head resting against the worn leather turned so that the cheek lay next it. And after a very short time

d been caught in more than one shower, and the black gloves had been many times painstakingly mended. The small feet alone showed that

ss rather than health, and Miss Mathewson realized presently that the respiration of the sleeper was

otor at the curb outside when Amy Mathewson gently touched

lutched at the handbag, and the girl rose. "I'm so sorry

Amy said, leading her into the consulting room. "It is still half an hour bef

p. I-have you just a minute to spare? I shoul

-sized assemblage of waiting patients, she must not be allowed to take Doctor Burns's time to exploit her wares. Yet, even as Amy regretted having

's time telling him about the book. But you-I thought you might be interested. It's a little bo

away with her into the outer office, promising to look it over if the seller of it would lie down upon the couch and rest quietly. She was convinced that the girl was much more than we

rnoon in consequence of having found every hospital patient of his own on the road to recovery-two of them having taken a right-about-face from

ined Miss Mathewson, standing beside him. "She

-jacket. "Well, best wake her up, though it seems a pity. Looks a

as she caught sight of the big doctor at the other side of the room, his back toward her. When Burns turned, at Amy

chair, please, so I can see all you have to

ll told him that here was work for him. The questions he asked brought replies which confirmed his fears. Nothing in his manner indicated, however, that he was doing con

affairs?" he asked. "I understand that you come

last two years, sin

no

or Burns, I will l

ones without flinching. Whether or not the spirit flinch

somewhere whom we mi

terminedly. Her head

ite alone i

t purposes-yes,

tly, "that it is not very important

anner but no less finally. "Believe me, please-and tell me wh

m at hand. After that you will find there are others. I am going to take you to a pleasant place I know of, where you will have nothing to do but

?" The question was

do you

hosp

the best in

retty i

s quietest tone, "how you have kept around

shouldn't have been in this town and I shouldn

t. I'm glad you're going to trust me. Now we'll take you to another room where you c

d: "Please tell me how to get there. I can g

of my orders Miss Linton, i

ten minutes the heavy eyes were again closed, while their owner lay motionl

een patients. "I don't want to call the ambulance out here for a walking case, and t

to the office. His car is out

t. He's only after his mother's prescriptio

o answered this summons in some surprise at bein

get it filled. I hope it'll do your mother a lot of good, but I'm not pr

you like

hough she walked to the office and would walk away again if I'd let her-which I won't. I can't get off for three hours yet.

ould have made him independent of his own exertions, if he could possibly have been induced by an adoring

erved, "you're so strong on orders. I've got mine. Where's the lady? Do I ha

. Talk as much as you like; it'll help her to forget that she's alone in the world a

enty of power, the office nurse and her patient emerged. King noted in some surprise the slender young figure, the interest-compelling face with its too vivid colour in

atulation of himself. "Jolly, what hair! Poor little girl; sh

ss Mathewson presented him, calling the girl "Miss Linton,

ucked a warm rug around her, taking special pains with her small feet, whose wel

thank you. It's e

" King responded, taking his place bes

n't feel very ill just now, and