The Irish standard., 1897-07-31
CHAPTER V,

When does mana young man
begin to take himself seriously? Oh.
viously, when he realizes that the i'll.
tegrity of the human rope may depend
upon the soundness of single strand;
that the smallest bolt in u mighty bridge
may not be withdrawn or suffered to
rust without disastrous consequences;
that he, Insignificant mortal, may make
or mar not only his own life, but the
lives of others. These platitudes are
proclaimed hourly from 1000 pulpits;
but the practical application Of all
teaching must come from within, not
from without.
The doctor, n country practitioner
with average brains and capital bed.
side" manner, made u careful examine
ton of Burlington and murmurcd two
words: Cerebral concussion."
''Prognosis," he continued, rubbing
softly his pince-nez, "is quite out of the
question at present. The severe shock
to the nerve cells and the tibers Of the
brain may produce violent symptoms.
Upon the other hand, really serious
lesion may not have taken place"
Demetrius, who was present, listened
uttentivcly.
"Nlr. Burlington" he observed, quiet
ly, ais subject to its of violence"
'Eh?" sud the doctor; "what?"
'To fits of violence" the Greek re.
peated. tiles very dangerous nun;
at times insane"
but incapable of hurting fly, now,"
observed.
The doctor pursed up his lips and adj
justcd his pince-nez. His manncrisma
had begun to irritate me.
SIS this--er-the MI. Burlington, the
author?"
"Yes."
''Indeedl A singulurly handsome
man. But this"-hc touched lightly
Burlington's hcad-"indicates u some.
what unbalanced mind"
''1Iow long will the coma last2"
II cannot say. Possibly 4s hours.
Tie may come to himself in ten min
utes."
Demetrus drew him aside.
"Are you certain" he whispered, i'm.
pressively, that he is absolutely un.
conscous--senseless?"
The doctor regarded his questioner
attentively.
THAT is n very strange remark, SIR"
81 know the man." Denctriuls replied.
''1Ie is not malngcring," returned the
doctor, with emphasis. "Of course he
must be watched. I'll send respon.
sble nurse. Meantime you can feed
him; but 10 stimulants. I'll call tho
first thing tomorrow. I have a most
important case; but send for me, il
necessary"
When the doom. had closed behind his
portly person 1 turned to Dcmetrius.
"Why did you ask that question:"
"Mr. Livingston, if you had seen this
mans work at Red Gulch you would
understand. IIe has the cunning Of
fiend."
Ills voice qunvercd; and his eyes, the
eyes of n frightened animal, sunk be-
fore mine. My suspicious swellcd to
certainty. The Greek was a coward.
And I, knowing the facts. felt sorry for
him.
Il saw him fall full six feet onto the
back of his head. He ought to be a dead
man."
eyes" the Greek repeated, che ought
to be dead"
I dismissed him. Presently Miss
Nancy entered the room and seated her
self beside me. To my remonstrance
she turned q deaf ear. It was already
late, and I told her frankly that she
ought to be in bed.
"T cho1I watch t1ia Yicrbf with yr,,
Demetrius has told mamma what the
doctor said about--about the violent
symptoms. You won't have Dcmrtrius,
so you must take me-"
"Dclnetrius has alarmed your mother
most unnecessarily. I cannot for the
life of HE understand"
"a woman" she interrupted, delibcr-
ntely ignoring my real meaning. "Ot
course not. AS for Demetrius, he has
done his duty. I propose to do mine.
You can talk or go to sleep, just as you
please. For my part, should prefer to
talk. 1t can't hurt the patient, and will
serve to pass the time"
She settled herself, smiling, in the
ckair.
"The DOCTOR" she continued, "is an
old woman, but like him because he
Is IN optimist. He thinks Mr.. Burling
ton wall get well. Oh. do hope and
pray that this may be so. You sec,
feel that Mark was really responsible
for the accident. The poor man must
have seen the boys tracks in the sand
and followed them out of curicsit into