Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-26

these things, better in France. It came last
night, after I'd gone to bed; and the
authorities of this hostelry were too con-
siderate to wake me. Then this morning,
they say, they thought was 90 much occu-
pied that they would do best to wait about
delivering it till was at leisure. That's
French courtesy with vengeance. How:
ever, you're safely arrived at last; and
that's the important thing"
And Miriam9 Miriam?" I inquired i'm
patiently.
The doctors are with her even now," he
answered.
You got my cable-dispatch, of course,
and put off the operation?"
"Yes, got your dispatch, and we put of
the operation until the physicians all in
sisted that it must not be put off longer
that if put of longer it would be ineffec-
tive"
Panic stricken, "You don't mean,"
gasped, ''you can't mean that il has been
perlormed?"
"As / Just said, they are with her now
they are performing it at this moment"
''Heavens and earth, mani Did't tell
you that it would imperil her life. Didn't
! entreat you at all costs to defer it until I
could get here?"
"You did, certainly. But these other
medical men, who were on the spot, and
could examine her for themselves. were of
one mind in declaring that her life would
not be imperilled, and that the longer the
operation was delayed, the greater would be
the danger of atrophy of the optic nerve.
Finally, on Wednesday of this week they
fixed upon this morning as the furthest date
to which they could consent to postpone it.
1t was a choice between going on without
your presence, and taking the risk of per-
manent blindness. So I had to let them
proceed"
"You don't know what you have done
You have done that which you will repent
TO your dying day." 1 groane0, wringing
my hands. "You might have known that 1
should never have telegraphed as 1 die, that
I should never have taken ship for Europe
at two days notice, unless 1 was master of
life and death-but where are they? Take
me to them. Perhaps it is not yet to late.
Perhaps am still in time to prevent it.
Take me to them at once
1 doubt whether they will admit you.
They would not allow me to be present; and
am her husband. have had to walk up
and down the hall, waiting"
''Not admit me They will admit me if
have to break down the door. Take me to
them this instant"
Every well, he assented. "This way"
He led me up a flight of stairs, and halted
before door, at which he raped.
The door was opened Immediately by an
elderly man in professional broadcloth, who
said in French: "You may enter now. 1t is
finished"
Ny heart turned to ice. For a breathing
space could neither speak nor move. At
last, with the composure that is born of de-
spair, "Finished?" repeated. "You have,
then. trephined?''
1--WE have"
"And the patient is
"She is not yet recovered from the anaes-
thetic"
We entered the room. Miriam, pale and
beautiful, lay unconscious upon q sofa near
the window. Tive other Professionalism
ing gentlemen stood over her, one of whom
was tanning her face.
Fairchild presented me: 1.-THE American
physician, DR.. Benary. The uncle of my
wife"
L was in no mood to be courteous or cere-
monious. Having bowed, Gentlemen, I
must beg of you to leave me alone with
the patient" began, addressing the COM
panY at large.
My remark created a sensation. The
French physicians exchanged perplexed
glanees, and chorus of indignant Mais,
Monsieur's rose about my ears.
"Fairehild, 1 am in earnest, I said. 81
insist upon these gentlemen leaving me
alone with my niece. L look to you to see
thu they do so. 1 have neither the leisure
n the inclination to discuss the matter.
. Every second is precious
Somehow or other, Fairchild prevailed
upon them to withdraw. 1 suspect that they
saw that was in no frame of mind 70 bear
trifing with.
81 may remain?" Fairchild queried.
mo, not even you. I must be quite
alone with her for the present"
"But-"
''Nay, do not waste time in controversy.
Leave me at once"
Fairchild went of.
1 sat down at the side of Miriam's couch
and famed her.