The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-08-01

i
! Winfred, seeing a pleasant finale to
what might have been Disagree
able contretemps; "and here Is Ned
to take my place with you, Vance.
| I'll be ten minutes dressing, Milli-
cent" and, nodding to her brothers
friend, who had thus opportunely APP
| peared, she went out. Millicent fol-
| lowed her.
| Ned Price laughed as soon as he
was alone with his friend.
''The warfare still RACES, | see" he
| observed, as he proceeded to array
himself for the fencing bout; "can-
didly, l think you're an ass, Vance.
| There is nothing of the new woman
about Miss-er-Dr. Millicent Trevor;
! you must admit that"
"Oh, / admit anything if it dis
misses the subject" said Vance, with
shrug of annoyance; "come, I'm
ready for IA good tilt. Don't put the
| guard on your foil. It's much more
exciting without"
Exciting? Yes-but--"
"But me no butts. Let's see what
stuff you're made of this morning"
And, following Instructions, as he
invariably did with Vance, Ned en-
tered into the fray with his accus-
toned zest. For few minutes the
young men played with great delib-
Grafton, making their thrusts with
care, lunging with caution and run
ming no risks.
But presently the heat of contest
rose in their veins. Forgetting eau
ton, disregarding the fact that they
were playing without guards, Ned
made a violent lunge, his foil missed
the wide aim he had intended and in
an instant had swerved to it's resting
place in Nance's side.
The young man dropped to the
floor with barely a groan. Ned stood
gazing stupidity at the PROSTATE fig.
ure. The crimson staining Nance's
jacket brought him to his senses. He
hurriedly bent over his friend, tear
ing open his shirt. The wound spout
ed out its warm, red stream.
Good heavens, Vance, old fellow,
this is awful didn't mean"
Vance opened his eyes.
| hhI IL uOtSu U
-amount-to much," he murmured;
"Wnifred--"
Then he lapsed into unconscious
ness.
Ned gave frightened call for help
and rushed to the door. Winifred and
Millicent, with their outside wraps
on, were passing through the hall on
their way out.
"What is it? Anything wrong?" de-
manded Winifred.
"Ies. Vance. I'm afraid-I've hurt
him-he would play without the
guards-there' a wound"
But Winifred, with a cry, had flown
to her brothers side. Her distract
ed cries pierced the ears of the other
two, who had followed her.
"Oh! he's dying, he's dying! Milli-
cent, Millicent! can't you do some
thing? Oh, what shall we do?"
Millicent approached quickly but
quietly. She knelt and unfastened
Vance's cravat.
He is not dead, dear" she said to
Winifred; "he has simply tainted.
That is natural He is losing blood
while you are talking"
"Tell me what to do and I'll do
1t. Oh, if he dies
"In the name of common human
lty," interposed Ned, impatiently,
cant you do something's
at isn't case of can or will,
Mr.. Price" said ,Millicent, quietly;
'it is a case of whether | am to be
allowed. | shouldn't care to begin
and then find resistance. Mr.. Bishop
has an antipathy to women physi-
clans. Better send for your physi-
clan, Winnie"
"Tll CO." said Ned, and hurried out
Winifred turned almost savagely
upon her friend.
"And in the meantime is he to
die? And because you won't help
him? Oh, Millicent-"
A sob choked the further utter
ance of words. Milicent restrained
an impulse to laugh.
my dear, I've been holding the
wound together. Your brother will
not die-at least not from this. If
you'll get me some bandages and my
box of implements in my room, the
bottom bureau drawer"
God bless you!"
Winfred rose with alacrity but she
paused to say: "You don't think he'll
die?"
"No, of course not"
Winifred vanished.
And with her went Millicent's in
difference. She glanced hastily
around, and upon assuring herself
that no one was in the room, she
examined the wound with far greater
care than she had at first displayed.
She listened eagerly to the heart
beats. Her whole manner betrayed
the keenest anxiety. A look of ten
derness her friends had never seen
crept into her luminous eyes. She
bent over the impassive face with un-
mistakable yearning, but she drew
back quickly as Vance stirred un-
o,,;l,, aud onapa1 bic