Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-03-28

cit is painful and disagreeable
work." he said
YES. know" she quickly cried II
have thought OF all that l own sew
eral books on nursing and medical
practice and know quite well what to
expect. would have started out for
myself months ago II IL hadn't been
for Artie there. He needs constant
care. and. while my stepmother-my
father died last winter-is very kind to
him. | did not think IL right to put all
this burden on her shoulders But the
desire to 10 grows stronger and stron-
ger every day.
The strangers eyes sparkled again
at her eagerness.
1T looks TO me now" he said quite
gravely. las If there would soon be a
chance tc prove your capabilities. II
you come out OF the ordeal In a salts
factory manner. think | can safely
promise you berth In the big hospital
with which ! chance to have sot.e con-
nection."
'Oh. thank you. SIR she cried. And
what Is the ordeal7''
The stranger looked down at the face
OF the crippled lad.
The little chap Is asleep" be softly
said. with your permission I mean
TO straighten this tortured back and
this ugly shoulder. mean 70 undo the
mischief wrought 10y we'll meaning ig-
norance. mean that this little fellow
shall walk through life as straight and
upright as God intended he should"
The girls eyes dilated.
And you will DO thIsT' she mur-
INJURED In an awed tone.
with your permission and a certain
amount Of your assistance" the stran-
ger smilinGly said.
My assStancer' she repeated.
Yes. have no acquaintances here.
and will need some help DO YOU
think you have the nerve TO stand by
meT'
Il will try" she simply answered.
Three days later a square. leather
covered box OF considera hle size was
brought over on the stage from the
nearest railway station. The surgeon
sat up late that night examining and
arranging it's cOnteuts. Then be went
to bed and slept like a healthy child.
The first thing he did when he arose
In the morning was to stretch out his
long. white hands and stare at them.
STEADY as the eternal rocks" he
said. with pleased smile
Two hours later be made his appear
ance at the door OF the little cottage.
valise I'm hand. where the dark eyed
girl eagerly awaited him
"Artie awOke in capital spirits" she
whispered. and my stepmother has
10 cnnnI hn Il
aud everything that you ordered is
ready"
Good" he said. with an admiring
glance at her eager face and trim. alert
figure
Then he went in and closed the outer
door
When II was all over. the dark eyed
girl walked with the great surgeon to
the gate. She was very pale. and there
were tears in her eyes
Those wonderful. wonderful hands, 4"
she murmured. so swift. so steady.
SO sure.'
He smiled down at her like a pleased
boy.
Il make IL practice never 10 fiatter
my assistants" he said. but | will say
TO you contdentially that the hospital
berth is yours whenever you choose 10
call for it," He stopped her thanks
with a quick gesture as he went on
little more gravely. 1t certainly was
a beautiful operation. and we may
both feel proud OF IT, Our plastered
and harnessed and jacketed little pa
tient ought TO be on the highway TO
recovery in months time. Then you
can safely leave him. Meanwhile you
will have 10 put up with a daily call
from the surgeon in charge"
A cloud crossed the girls face.
But the-the bill for your services.
SIR" she murmured. How are we 10
pay thatT'
Il admire your frankness. my dear"
laughed the surgeon. But chase that
troubled loo from your eyes. When
came TO Marion. | dropped the shop.
haven't even a blank bllhead among
my effects. Besides this took the
case for my own selfish amusement
oh. | can afford these little eccentrici-
ties. I'd have paid you for II sooner
than have missed il. Goodbyw And
the great surgeon walked briskly down
the road quite unconscious that a pair
OF worshiping eyes followed him un-
I'll swift rush OF grateful tears blur
red him from their sight.
Three weeks later, as he sat in the
parior car that was rapidly bearing
him back to the great city. he smiling
ly muttered 10 himself:
II quite failed 10 carry out my vaca-
tion programme. But what OF that?
was never better nor surer OF myself
Besides. IL has taught me valuable
lesson. Fixed habits of life should
only be broken of 10y degrees. ."-Cleve-
land Plain Dealer
London In 1854.
In 1884 NJ. Ia Combe published n
book entitled "A Picture OF London"
In which. inter ALA. he says: THE high
roads 30 or 80 miles round London are
filed with armed highwaymen and
footpads." This was then pretty true.
though the expression filled" is some
what of an eXaggeration. The med