Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-06-25

bcst-loyed branch of their art, nor yet
Of those who have achieved unhesitat-
ing, unflinching Obedience to the man
dates of duty, but of those others,
among whom l count myself, " no find
themselves possessed. no matter what
their experience, by reluctance TO ply
the knife. even while they prepare for
the ordeal the necessity of which they
realize. Is the feeling rare? 1t is sell
dom expressed, it is true, but never
theless it often exists, none the less
poignant for its concealment. have
never conquered it, though have taken
part in many an operation since the
one performed in the low-ceiled room
of the farmhouse.
As Banks had said, the hope of the
patients recovery rested on his sturdy
constitution. Since his removal to the
house Jones had had several intervals
of consciousness, although for the most
part he lay in state of semistupor.
More than once caught the word mis-
taken" in his rambling talk, when the
fog cleared away from his brain, and
the memory of Lamar's enigmatic OBJ
servation flashed upon me; but il was
10 time TO speculate upon the coinci-
dence
Ranks VAS at the injured mans head,
ready TO apply the chloroform.
You'll need an assistant, Norris,
said he. Get somebody who can be
depended upon TO keep his senses and
hand you the right thing when You call
for it. Who is available?"
There were two or three wi1e-eyed
faces against the window -panes, but
knew too well how much reliance could
be placed upon their owners. Bangs
understood my hesitation. Stepping
to the door, he called out:
Miss Gray"
She could not have been far away,
for she responded to the summons be
fore l could make protest. Banks
tersely told her what was wanted.
Il will do my best" she said. Her
voice was steady, but, as she entered
the room and came into the glare of the
lamps, her face showed pale and drawn.
1T will be a severe test of your
nerves." said |. Don't undertake it
if"
''I am quite ready" she said, quietly.
but decisively.
"And I'll warrant her nerves" said
Banks. Miss Gray, please hold out
your hand. No shaking there, Morris, >
he added, with little triumph.
NO, there's too much tension" l
thought, but did not put the opinion
into words. Banks passed her an apron
it was an old one of Mrs. Weston's-
and she took the station he pointed out
to her and listened attentively TO the
simple directions he gave.
There is q place for elaborate de-
scriptions of amputations, but, l hold,
II is to be found within the covers of
technical publications. There is no
good reason for setting down here all
that we did, from the administering of
the chloroform and the applying of the
tourniquet to the fastening of the last
bandage. The leg was taken of few
inches above the knee; the operation
was successful, as the term is. Dorothy
GRAY did all that was asked of her, and
Olu IL We'll. OniN once ulSl SlAc AluSh
that was when tiny squirt oil blood
from a severed vessel stained her
apron; but, even then, in an instant she
was again controlled, attentive,
ready. From first to last l 90 not
think she glanced once toward the face
covered by the handkerchief saturated
with chloroform. When our task was
done, and Jones had been borne to the
bed in an adjoining room which Lad
been prepared for his reception, /
turned TO find her leaning against the
wall, her eyes looking straight before
her and the fingers of her clasped hands
working spasmodically. She started
violently when 1 touched her arm, and
gazed at me as wildly as one reused
from an appalling dream.
"Here, here, Miss Gray" said !, this
won't do at all. We can't have you
like this. Let me prescribe for YOU"
"How is he doing?" She pointed
to the inner room.
Gas well as we could ask. Banks
is with him, and will remain as long as
he is needed. Do you come with me-"
led the way to the open air, and she
followed with the docility of child.