Evening star., 1901-09-13

clatter of horses hoofs, approaching
on the dead run.
The vehicles would draw up before
the ropes, and the occupants hurry
ing to the Milburn house would be
greeted by Secretary Cortelyou and
details given of the Presidents con-
dition. For an hour the anxious
watchers on the outside heard moth
ing from Milburn house. They were
fully aware of the struggle between
science and death that was going on
in that semi-lighted room. The wo-
men in the second story, the men in
the sitting room, awaited impatiently
word from the doctors. Finally DR..
Mynter came down and brought the
first good news Of the night.
He reported the case as improv-
ing. The pulse and temperature were
more regular, and, in fact, the heart
was stronger. This was cheering
news, indeed, and it lightened the
hearts of the household, for every
one was ready and willing to carry a
straw of hope. Secretary Wilson
came out and brought the good news
to the correspondents. Between q
and $50 there was no change. The
President was not out of danger, but
the fact that he had rallied was the
thing.
After Secretary Wilson left Mil
burn house the mansion was cleared
of allvisitors who had been sitting up
since the alarm after midnight. Some
went home and some went to bed in
the spare rooms, Abner Mckinley
and his son-in-law among the latter.
Secretary Cortelyou, satisfied that
the Presidents condition was not
precarious for the hour, was induced,
indeed almost forced, by Secretary
Wilson and Secretary Hitchcock to
take moments rest Without re-
moving a garment Mr.. Cortelyou
settled down in an arm chair and
tried to sleep. He was worn out
with watching and grief, and slept
from sheer exhaustion, but ready at
touch from the attendant to resume
the role he has filled SO faithfully and
successfully.
The fact that the best news that
could be obtained from Milburn
house at o:3o was that the President
had fighting chance for his life
indicated the desperate conditions
in which he has lain for the past five
hours The doctors were not will
ing to venture prediction beyond
the staterlent that he had fight
ing chance" There were times this
morning when, in the opinion of the
doctors, he did not have even a fight
irs chance, yet he rallied. am
told that the Presidents marvellous
will power is still aiding him. He
is fighter, and he has not given up
for moment.
Even IN the darkest and most des-
perate moments of the morning
when his heart was futtering like a
sputtering candle that threatened to
go out at any moment, he retained
his nerve, for pure nerve it is. He
never lost consciousness and never
lost courage. He never admitted
for a moment that he was going to
die. 1t was fight that was waged,
a battle royal by the physicians, and
the President was their loyal and
faithful ally, aiding their efforts by
his own will. The exhibition of for
titude by the President is said to
have affected the physicians and
stimulated them to renewed efforts.
All this time Mrs. Mckinley, in an
adjoining room, was sleeping quietly
and knew nothing of the lowering OF
the angel of death over her hus-
bands cot. With the comino 0f the
dawn the President seemed to gain
renewed strength. Whether it is per-
manent or only temporary the day
will have to show.
LITTLE CHANCE FOR RECOVERY.
The Presidents Condition Regarded
az Well Nigh Hopeless.
Special From q STAFF Correspondent.
MILBURN HOUSE, BUFFA-
LO, N. Y, September 13-The re-