Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-08-17

ly paralyzCd. Doctor, nurses and pa
ticnts stared upon this astounding
rupture of the decorum of the room
entirely unable to voice their emotions.
The mouthed babblings of the Finn
smote upon silence born of stupefac-
ton.
Desmond laughed glcefully.
"Well, old chap, how's that1 Bring
him somewhere for me to talk to him
comfortably. He's simply wild with
excitement and delight at finding n
Johnny who understands him. 1t
won't do for me to colleague with him
here. 1t would upset the ward"
"1f you're quite sure that he's not n
dangerous lunatic," began Barr.
"That's 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
as 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 convalescent. 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
as he retired into the passage. He
winked toward his companion and
tapped his forehead significantly.
You're right" said the other. "Both
of EN-, | should say" Then they pass
cd back TO routine grinning.
Barr went on 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,
ccascless stream of monologue. Des-
mond, his elbows leant upon the table,
was staring across at him. His eyes
were alght 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 a chance before us that doesn't
happen to man twice in lifetime.
Such things as I've heard"
Barr shifted. you must recollect,
Billy. that the beggars only half wit
ted at present. Aphasia's rummy
thing. Probably he's just remembering
something that he's dreamed or what
not, and thinks it's a 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. | want him
to buck up and get well-and as quick
as possible too"
Barr did not look enthusiastic. Hes
been getting everything he wants so
far" he said stiffly. I'VE don't i'll treat
them as Il rule, even in the public
wards"
Desmond chuckled ioyously. 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
| 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 Lord" he burst out.
you're going to take this Yiddsher on
your yacht. Heavens above. Billy.
you're as demented as he is"
"Now, my good Arthur answered
may know my own business as well as
you do! Get this man comfortably in
to n 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 a cultural
word or two to the patient, and all
three retired stairward. The Finn con-
tnued to wave his hand excitedly to-
ward his bcncfactor 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 imbecle been stutling
You WITH
The other looked at him with an all
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 ont OF
England yet? No; now come to thinl,
of it, you never have. Well. we'll right
all that presently. However, here goes
for the romance, If you like to think II
so. swear to you it's gospel truth.
feel 1t in my bones. The chap couldn',
have possibly imagined the thing Be
sides, I've heard myself-but that's mel
Their here nor there"
Barr showed forward the other easy