necessity of supporting themselves, and so can give far more time and
money to the investigation than is possible for me. Even the scientist
must be rich in these days, Miss Durant, if he is to win the great
prizes."

"Won't you tell me something about yourself?" requested Constance,
impulsively.

"There really is nothing worth while yet. I was left an orphan young, in
the care of an uncle who was able to do no better for me than to get me a
place in a drug-store. By doing the night-work it was possible to take the
course at the medical college; and as I made a good record, this position
was offered to me."

"It--you could make it interesting if you tried."

"I'm afraid I am not a realist, Miss Durant. I dream of a future that
shall be famous by the misery and death I save the world from, but my past
is absolutely eventless."

As he ended, the carriage drew up at the house, and the doctor helped her
out.

"You will take Dr. Armstrong back to the hospital, Murdock," she ordered.

"Thank you, but I really prefer a walk before going to _my_ social
intimates, the bacilli," answered the doctor, as he went up the steps with
her. Then, after he had rung the bell, he held out his hand and said:
"Miss Durant, I need scarcely say, after what I have just told you, that
my social training has been slight--so slight that I was quite unaware