Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-12-23

Desmond laughed gleefully.
''Well, old chap. how's that7 Bring
him somewhere for me to talk to him
comfortably. He's simply wild with
excitement and delight at finding
Johnny who understands him. 1t
won't do for me to collogue with him
here. 1t would upset the ward"
III you're quite sure that he's not
dangerous lunatic," began Barr.
"Thats right enough" interrupted
Desmond. turning toward the door.
you send him along to me, and I'll
find out all about him. He's as sane
az you or me now. Send him along"
Barr shrugged his shoulders and
made no further opposition. At his
order two attendants came forward
and helped the man into the regula.
ton slop suit OF the conyalescent. Sup
porting him, they followed Desmond
down to the house surgeons private
room. There they left him pouring
out words and yet more words at his
new found friend. One Of the attend
ants thrust his tongue into his cheek
as he retired into the passage He
winked toward his companion and
tapped his forehead significantly.
you're right" said the other. Both
of 'em, / should say." Then they pass
ed back to routine grnuing.
Barr went Oh through the wards, and
an hour had gone by before he finished
his rounds. When he returned to his
room again, the patient was still talk.
ing, talking, but the first passionate
outburst had subsidized into a slow,
ceaseless stream of monologue. Des-
mond, his elbows leant upon the table,
was staring across at him. His eyes
were alight with an interest that his
usual stout complacency utterly failed
to conceal.
"My goodness, Arthur" he called as
Barr entered. "Come here and pinch
me, old chap. Either I'm dreaming the
worst sort of nightmare or else we've
got chance before US that doesn't
happen to q man twice In a lifetime.
Such things as I've heard!'
Barr shifted. "You must recollect,
Billy, that the beggar's only half wit.
ted at present. Aphasias a rummy
thing. Probably he's just remembering
something that he's dreamed or wha.
not, and thinks it's reality. What's he
been trying to tell your
"You shall hear afterward. old man.
For the present get this beggar into a
private ward and the best of attend
ance. I'll stand the shot. I want him
to buck up and get well-and as quick
as possible too"
Barr did not look enthusiastic. '"He's
been getting everything he wants so
far" he said stlffly. 1--WE don't i'll treat
them as a rule, even in the public
wards"
Desmond chuckled Joyously. "There,
there, my son, don't be shirty. You for
get know the secrets of the slaughter
house as well as you. know he's had
the best Of everything, but he hasn't
had the quiet he needs, or, rather, that
1 shall need, for I'm coming to see him
every day. Next week he sails with
you and me for Uleaborg, and very
likely for one or two other places that
you've never heard of. So don't you be
hedgehog. but do as tell you"
Barr stared at him In deepest aston
ishment. Good Lordlp he burst out.
you're going to take this Yiddisher on
your yacht! Heavens abovel Billy.
you're as demented as he is."
Now, my good Arthur" answered
Desmond solemnly, don't you think I
may know my own business as well as
you do? Get this man comfortably in
to private ward, and then, but not
before, you shall hear all there is TO
hear. What's the good of arguing
about things you don't understand in
the least"
Barr shrugged his shoulders and
dropped further discussion. In silence
he touched the bell. Back came the
two attendants and received their fur
ther orders. Desmond added cultural
word or two to the patient, and all
three retired stairward. The Finn con-
tinued to wave his hand excitedly to-
ward his benefactor as he withdrew
upward, and the flow of his grateful
words died slowly into the emptiness
Of the passages, a door shut in the
distance. The last echoes of his chat
tering were still.
Then Barr turned again to his friend.
"Now perhaps" said he, you'll be
kind enough to explain yourself. What
has this hopeless imbecile been stufing
You with2"
The other looked at him with an mir
Of compassion. He nipped the end of
his cigar and spat shred Of leaf into
the crate before he answered, settling
himself comfortably into the recesses
of his armchair.
"What an old, fat headed. narrow
minded customer you are, Arthur" he
began cheerfully. ever been out of
England YETI No; now come to think
of it, you never have. Well. we'll right
all that presently. However, here goes
for the romance, IL you like to think 1t
so. l swear to you it's gospel truth.
feel 1t in my bones. The chap couldn't
have possibly imagined the thing. Be-
sides, I've heard myself-but that's nei-
ther here nor there"
Barr showed forward the other easy
chair and reached for cigarette.
"Well, I'll hear you" he said. "but
draw 1t mild II it's particularly sensn-
tional. The practice of medicine doesn't
induce a high level of receptivity for
the marvellous. Trot out your lie. I'll
reserve judgment till afterward."