Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1895-01-19


to hear tne toae taxed with him which
he himself was prone to take with his
own patients; it was like I'm unexpected
glimpse of his own reflection. As for his
chances. h. could estimate their worth
far more accurately than could his mon
itor; his opportunity for observation had
been greater. and, as he had stated, he
had followed the ease from the begin
ming. To his mind the question involved
was less one of choice between life and
death than an estimate of endurance
under diverse conditions and of hours
ere deaeh should come. His pain had
been lessening for several hours, and a
torpor was gradually stealing over his
lower limbs, whose significance was un-
mistakable. His brain was clear and alb
normally active. and he involuntarily
trusted to his strength Of will to clinch
his grasp on life until his purpose should
be accomplished. Like most forceful
men he cut his margins close, and some
times neglected to make sufficient allow
ance for nature.
He waved the opiate aside.
Il don't intend to sleep yet" he de
clared. "Propme up trile, please, and
give me something to fight this cursed
weakness. You look fellow to be trust
ed, aside from the order, and | want you
to help instead of hindering me. My mar
riage before II o'clock tomorrow isn't
simply question of anxiety or NORTH
cation to a woman. though that would be
bad enough. It's question of food, raj
ment, hope, jOy-all the things which
would go to make life full and, in meas
ure, satisfying, as set against the devils
grind of poverty and dependence, and
for a woman physically incapacitated fol
holding her own in the scramble"
Royal put the rejected opiate aside
and did as the patient requested. Then
he drew a chair to the bedside and com
posed himself to listen. There would be
no rest for the bruised body. he knew,
until the mind should be at liberty tC
rest also. He must get the load, what
ever it might be, transferred to his own
shoulders, or the case would be beyond
his skill 1t must be done quietly. too,
for excitement might bring on internal
hemorrhage, of which there was immi-
nent danger.
Take it easy" he said gently. I'm
going to help You. Put what you've got
to say in as few words as possible and
then leave the matter to me. You We
overtaXed your strength already, but
there isn't any hurry now. We've got
eight hours before that train goes. But
first | want to suggest something.
Wouldn't will set the matter right for
the young LADY,
The patient shook his head.
Not mine" he answered. I'm worth
nothing outside Of my profession. It's a
worse tangle than you think. Listen.
This is how the affair stands"
Divested of all superiority of detail
for which there was neither time nor
strength. the facts of the case We're
these: Some fifty years before there had
been quarrel in one branch Of the
Royal family over the disposition Of GER
tain property vested in northern secur-
ties The family consisted Of two broth
erS and sister, and the property be-
longed to maiden aunt who made her
home with them. The aunt's affections
tween nephews and niece, and without
overt declaration to that effect on her
part, the family feeling had been that
the young people would share and share
alike i'll the property. When, therefore,
on the old lady's death it had been dis
covered that the entire estate had been
willed to the niece without reservation,
the nephews not unnaturally suspected,
and what is more, being men Of choleric
temper, proclaimed aloud that there had
been undue influence.
1t is true that, while the men dispOrted
themselves according to their pleasure,
the woman had nursed and tended her
relative with loving care and patience.
But this did not strike the brothers as af-
fOrding sufficient reason for the will be-
ing made SO unequivocally in their sis
ter's favor, since anxiety and care and
household pains and troubles fell natu-
rally within woman's province. Per-
haps they recognized the family foible,
too, and the fact that to those who love
dominion the possession of wealth is apt
to secure it. They forbore from suit to
break the will, first because the family
lawyer assured them that they had not a
leg to stand on, and furthermore because
their very souls abhorred public scan
dial. They made evident their sense of
wrong in forcible and incorporate Ian
guage, giving their sister to understand
that they were distinctly disappointed in
her, and then leaving her to her con-
science.
For many years family relations were
somewhat strained, and then the war
hrnke ont and all smaller fires Nera ax-