Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-08-24

Ned and the younger lady were crying help
lessly by the door, when they heard the old
physician s step in the hall They tried to keep
him back little and to give the older lady
warning of his approach, put there was no need.
At the sound OF the opening door she arose,
controlling herself by a strong effort; Bowling
with dignifed recognition of the physician s
entrance. she awaited his verdict with sad and
hopeless eyes.
DR.. Thompson was cadaverous old gentle
man, with sombre countenance. suggestive Of
undertIkers and funerals. There had never
been much sympathy between him and DR..
John. Too many patients whom the old doctor
had given over to die had been saved by the
younger man.
DR.. Thompson was an old fogy. it IS true, but
even old fogias do not relish being superseded
by younger men with better schooling and more
progressive ideas. Therefore it was with q par
donable feeling OF triumph that the old doctor
had answered the call 10 his young colleagues
bedside. he had taken pains to inform every
body he met that DR.. John was worse and had
sent for him.
He drew back with start at the bedside.
What was this?
Instead of the petulant sufferer he had ex-
Pected 10 see, chafng under his enforced CON
hnement, here was a man already marked by
death, silently passing into the great unknown;
one to whom earthly rivalries and differences
were no longer a matter of moment.
How long has he been so2''
The old physician was startled out of his Gus
tomary composure. He put the question to
Ned.
''since clock this morning, sir. I sent i'm
mediatey for you
DR.. Thompson stopped and placed his ear to
Dr.. Johns chest, laying his finger on his pulse.
Then he drew from his pocket a slender rubber
case. and took from il small glass tube, which
he slipped within the pa ted lips.
This the mometer was DR.. Thompson's one
concession 10 modern science. He used il on all
occasions, and, 1t is said, diagnosed disease by
means OF u; rms time ne LOOK II out ana 'ookeu
al it, Snd then around at the Others with an air
OF owlish importance
''will he liveS' asked Ned, and the ladies'
eyes repeated the Question.
Thorn knew enough
of approaching dissolution to be sure there
no mortal hope for DR.. John. But he had his
own professional dignity to maintain, and knew
that IL would never answer to come many
miles to declare his inability to be of use.
''Hm!" he said, strengthening himself and
fastening his THUMBS in the buttonholes OF his
coat. ''Hm! A bad case, a serious case,
madam. II had been called in sooner. But,
ahem as | was not
They awaited his next words in breathless
silence.
There is just one thing that may possibly
save him. said the old doc tor in a deep voice
''He must have an emulsion
DR.. Thompson's emulsions were the terror OF
every household in the valley. DR.. John had
once been known 10 say that more people had
died from DR.. Thompson's emulsions than he
had ever saved. The old doctor had heard Of
this speech. and there had been bad blood be-
tween the two physicians ever since.
Now, whether they are right or wrong, the
people of the valley always have 1t that Dr.
Johns professional spirit was stronger than
death itself. Be this as it may, what patient
what love itself had been powerless to accom-
plish was brought about by this projected out
rage upon his own code of practice.
For the sick mans hand, which an instant be-
fore had lain white and nerveless on his breast
trembled, moved then lifted, with slight re-
pellant gesture. waved and fell back.
The little group was startled Even the old
doctor. accustomed as he was to dying men. was
shocked at this unexpected manifestation; but
he repeated his decision in an or cular tone:
HE must have an emulsion ~
This time the pdlllQ lfps QuiYereQ the head
moved slightly; and faint whisper broke the
silence:
''I'll die hrst.''
Be it dead or dying man who spoke, the asser-
ton a direct challenge of the old gentle
mans medical skill He took il up instantly,
with snort of indignation.
s'You'n die ithout it, sir.'
DR.. John was weak that he could not lift
his head from the pillow. but his eyes. wide