Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-07-22

the assistant surgeons and nurses had
come, II feel it due to myself to ask
that you repeat before these gentle
men what you said in regard to your
understanding of the risk you run in
undergoing this operation
II know that may die, but wish to
undergo the operation"
She spoke slowly, with quiet dignity.
There is no one whom you wish to
see, no one who should be consulted?"
mo one"
She drew from under her pillow the
letter she had written. and handed it to
DR.. Ellis. 'fWhen the issue of the OPP
Grafton is quite clear, wish you to
open and read this" she said
She lay quietly while they put the ether
mask over her white face, not strug-
Cling against 1t as some people do.
Only once she sat up suddenly and
looked about her with wide open eyes,
stretching out her arms and saying:
"Oh, If you will only let me lie in my
husbands arms win bear anythingi'
And then she lost consciousness.
1t was half-past three when breath
less messenger, rushing into Mr.. Wins
lows downtown Office, handed him
note from DR.. Ellis:
Dear Sir: Your wife has Just under
gone an operation. I have every reason
to hope it will be successful one. The
inclosed note from Mrs. Winslow will ex-
plain to you why have but now made you
aware of what has been done. Very sin
cerely yours. ]. HOWE ELLIS"
The other note read thus:
Dear DR.. Ellis: have not told you my
real name, for did not wish my hus-
band to have the pain and anxiety of an
ticfpa ting this operation nor the suffering
of seeing me suffer 1t; and thought that
II you knew had husband you would be
likely to object to taking SO much respon-
sihiity without having him to share 1t.
II all goes well you need only send him the
inclosed note. If / should die-tell him
gently. MARY WINSLOW."
MY Darling Husband: You have been
50 good. so tender, 90 true to me- and you
have made me so happy always. that I
grateful I am. There has never been any
way before. but now there is a way Thank
the dear Father you have taught me to
love and have helped me to try to serve, l
have been strong enough to save you
great deal Of pain.
w &ASA you k0b klllbt DtT lOfSt lily u6dIL
dear. dear love, shall be quite through
with very bad operation, which has
been hanging over me for months.
knew must undergo 1t or die, and yet 1t
was 80 sweet at home could not come in
here before; but the doctor said could
not walt any longer, so came In to-day.
Jane is good nurse; she win take care
of the children while am away. Aren't
they beautiful?
God bless you. my husband. my love.
MARY"
The three doctors stood wiping their
cleaning instruments, talking in half
whispers of the operation. A white
capped nurse was unpinning the sheets.
and padding from the operating table.
At the side of the bed where Mary
lay, another doctor and another white
capped nurse stood watching for the
first signs Of her returning conscious
ness. She lay heavily and with mus
cles relaxed, with closed eyes, breath
ing laboriously, and white as the linen
on her bed.
David pushed open the door with un-
steady hand, and came across the room
to the bed. Without word he dropped
on his knees In grief-stricken heap at
the bedside.
DR.. Ellis put his hand on his shoul-
der, and he looked up, with anguish
laden eyes, that pitifully pleaded for a
word of hope.
"She will do WELL" said the doctor, in
CHEEKY whisper. ''The operation was
a success far beyond our expectations.
But it is important for her to come
out of the ether quietly. Don't you
think, Mr.. Winslow, it would be good
plan for you to stand here at the foot
Of the bed, where she can see you when
she first opens her eyes? Then she will
forget entirely all the pain Of her sep
aration from you, and everything will
be quite nice and comfortable"
David rose. dumbly obedient, and
stood where the doctor directed, de-
youring with his eyes the pale, beauti-
full face lying amid the thick brown
braids.
"Now. Mrs. Winslow, is the pillow
right2" asked DIR. Ellis, trying to
rouse her. Wont you let me try to
raise you up little?"
It seemed hours to David before
Mary, with deep sigh, lifted her heavy
white lids. A moment her half-con-
scious eyes rested on the doctor, who
was speaking to her, and then she
looked at David. She tried to make
the nerveless lips move-failed once,
and then slowly, painfully, she said:
Darling, love you'll"
"She's all right now" said DR.. Ellis,
in tone Of relief.
In few moments all the doctors had
gone, leaving David and nurse to
watch Mary.
"She's doing splendidly now, sir,
said the nurse, moved by the trouble in
David's face to speak to him. @There
is not bit more danger"
But David did not believe that. The
shadow of the terrible possibility of his
wife's dying had fallen across his heart,
and it would take more than words to
lift it.
AS the doctors went down the steps
of the boarding house one said:
"And yet we are taught that women
are not brave
'Oh, yes, they are brave, or the world
would soon be depopulated," said the
newly-fedged doctor who had admin
istered the ether. "But- er-Dr. Ellis,
now what do yop think Of that scheme
of mine for removing the vermiform
appendix in infants, and doing away
forever with chances of appendicitis 2u
"Agreat scheme and great schemer.
doctor" answered Ellis, laughing
good-naturedly. "When you find .
mother with subject to try, consider
me at your service gratis for the opera
ton"
And the doctors went their several
ways.--N. Y. Independent.
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Salaries of Rulers.