A young and handsome man, who sat at a desk, deeply engrossed in a medical work, looked up with an expression of annoyance on his face at being interrupted; but when he beheld a most beautiful young lady standing on the threshold, his annoyance quickly vanished, and a bland smile lighted up his countenance. He bowed profoundly, and hastened to say:
"Is there anything I can do for you, miss?"
"I want to see Doctor Gardiner," said Sally, in her sweetest, most silvery voice. "Are you the doctor?"
"No," he answered, with a shadow of regret in his tone. "I am studying with Doctor Gardiner. He has been suddenly called out of the city. He may be gone a day, possibly a week. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"I fear not, sir. Still, I will tell you my errand, if I may be seated for a few moments."
"Certainly," he responded, placing a chair for his lovely young visitor; adding: "Pray pardon my seeming negligence in not asking you to be seated."
Sally sunk gracefully into the chair the young physician watching her the while with admiring eyes.
"My call on Doctor Gardiner is not to secure his services in a professional capacity," she began, hesitatingly; "but to learn from him the address of a young lady I am trying to find."
"If it is any one who is his patient, or has been at any time, I think I can help you. He has the addresses down in a book."
"But supposing he knew her socially, not professionally, her name would not be apt to be down on his list, would it?" she queried, anxiously.