The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-08-11
. have carried my researches into surgery

| \ uhSC CatIlleSt ACoCtASASo lAgO ouISSlJ
so far as this"
i"Surgery! I never knew"
:, ""Nor anyone else, outside Of the family"
! interrupted Grover.
"Why do you keep it so secretly?
Surely it is not crime to engage in the
study of surgery, where it is not carried
too far"
l"And you think I have carried it too
only can tell that
- "Have you never consulted with the vii
flage physicians?" asked Eugene.
p "They would only have laughed at me and
4 my theory" was the reply "The fact is,"
he went on, 81 have not studied surgery
I with the idea of becoming practitioner.
II have a mission to perform, Eugene,
l. which can only be fulfilled by the aid of
{ that science, and 1 use it simply as
means to aid in the great end"
"Can you tell me what that end is ?"
"The location IN the body, Of the human
soul"
"Grover! Are you madp"
"No; 1 am not mad. I know that it
exists-apart from the brain, and apart
from the vitality called life know that
it can be removed, taken away, replaced,
and always make one possessor Just what
it made another-and this, independent of
brain Development
"Has study turned your head, my poor
friend?'
"Don't mock me, Eugene. Wiser men
than 1 have spent their lives and their
fortunes in pursuit Of the same knowledge
that seek, but they had not the light of
modern science to aid them and they.
failed"
"And you are hewing into that dead
body for living soul"
"I have only one locality to examine"
said the student, eager to explain every
thing to his friend, now that the ice was
broken. "You don't understand anatomy,
and so will abandon technical terms.
At the base of the neck, the brain nerves
centre into a peculiar substance, VIII ;ch is
protected more carefully than any other
part of the system from injury. It is at
the very apex of the spinal column, and
has been the subject of more than one
theory. I believe that the animal in the
human form ends there, and that there tho
spiritual begins. I believe that the brain
only takes up and uses the intelligence it
draws from this point. see that you are
disposed TO treat my theory rs others have
treated it, Grover added sadly, "and will
say no more about it. l bavc trusted you
fully, Eugene, will you promise not to re-
veal what you have seen here to night"
"On one condition"
"Nlme it."
"That you will cndcavour to pursue
your theory without this CHASTITY work"
Eugene pointed to the body.
"This is my first attempt in this direc-
tion," WAS the reply, "and if make
failure now, there is nothing to do but to
try again."
"How can you keep the knowledge Of
your pursuit from your father and Fanny2'
"They never enter this room" was the
reply. 1t has been sacred to my one pur-
suit for year. l never 60 out without
locking it. can trust you, thenr'
"Yes; for the present at least.
"I thank you, Eugene What! must you
90 30 soon2'' For Eugene had turned TO-
wurd the door.
"Ycs," he replied, al can't endure the
atmosphere of this room. Besides, late as
it is, have an appointment to keep.
Can't you take time for II walk1 1t Is
glorious night. and q stroll will DO you
good"
"Wait," said Grover, "the door is lock-
ed. I will change my clothes and 60 with
you."
In n few moments the two young men
EMERGED from the house and walked up
the street. As they uld so, Eugene 6 lane
cd ut his watch, and saw tiat it was eleven
o'clock.
Bertha will bo anxious" he said, ~
have not been home since this forenoon.
Besides fear I have missed my appoint
ment with Mr.. Gray"
with whom p asked Grover.
"Ah !' said Eugene, have secret
as well as you, you see. But cannot be
as frank as you have been. hy lips are
sealed until to. morrow"
This reply seemed to satisfy Grover ana
for time, the young men walked on IN
silence.
Presently they were overtaken by
mill hand, who was returning from the
attorney 8 Office.
"Have you heard the newsa ," he que
ricd.
Being answered in the negative, the
MIN told the story of the tragedy Mt the
attorneys Office.
"Poor Gordon" said Eugene, wonder
if he was the one l saw enter Grays
Office as I leftp And the body" he added
ais still in the attorneys otics!'
"Yes; it will inot. be-. moved until morn
ing"
Grover started.
al think won't go any farther tonight,
Eugene" he said, as the mill hand pur-
sued his way home. ~ am anxious about
NY subject and must be at work"
"Why not 20 on with me? Then Fanny
will have company h. ue," said Eugene.
"That is what wanted to speak with you
about. You know what l am doing to-
night. Can't Bertha persuade Funny to
remain with her until morning3'
Il suppose So"
"Then have her do so, by all means.
can't bear the thought of having her in
the house Tonight"
And the young men parted. Eugene
going directly home, and Grover hasteuins
in the opposite direction.
Arriving ut his own door, Grover stood
upon the step moment, as if in thought
"Why not 2" he was saying to himself.
"The man has been dead scarcely an hour,
and such an opportunity may never occur
again. The Office is easy of access by
the rear windows, and no one will know.
1t is dangerous job, but what would not
risk to gain my point3 I will do it!' he
said, resolutely. "Thank God the. house
is clear for the night"
HAving thus made up his mind, the
young man sought his room, provided him.
self with few articles which he would
need in his hazardous work, and then
started out to secure the assistance OF a
mum whom he knew he could trust.