Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-10-16
By Fred M. Uhife
lib.
Putting che Light Ont.

Once the trio were in the operating
o Bell gave N rapid glance at
Heritage. But the latter seemed to
have forgotten ali his fears. There
was an alert air about him; he was
quiet and steady. There was some
thing OF the joy of battle in his eyes.
Now, go and fetch Van Sneck In"
Bell said.
The patient came at length. Every
thing was made ready. Van Sneck MUIR
INJURED something and looked vaguely
about him, like a man suddenly reused
from a deep sleep. But he obeyed
quite willingly when Bell commanded
him TO get on the table. A moment or
two later, and he was gone, under the
influence of the ether administered by
Bell.
A case of glittering instruments lay
on the table. The strong electric light
was switched on and hung just over
the head of the unconscious patient.
"You hold the sponge" Bell whis-
pered to David. There will be very
little blood. / like TO have a man with
me who has GOODNESS and courage. Oh,
here is the spot. Feel the depression
OF the skull, Heritage? That is where
the pressure lies, and M larger than a
pea"
Heritage nodded without reply. He
took up a knife, there was a flash of
steel in the brilliant light and a sud-
den splash of blood. There was a
scrape, scrape. that jolted horribly on
Dayid's nerves, followed by q convuls-
i've movement of Van Sneck's body.
Beautiful, beautiful" Heritage
murmured. How easily it comes
awayis
Bell was watching, In deep admira.
ton, of the strong hand that was yet
as light as t~his5ledown. The big cleo
trio light fickered for just a moment,
and Heritage stood upright.
Don't be a fool" Bell said, sternly.
"It's a mere matter of current" Her
itage muttered that it must be. New
ertheless, 1t had given him quite a
turn. His face was set and pale and
his hand shook ever SO slightly. The
knife was cutting deep, deeper
A snarling oath burst from Bells
lips as the light fickered again and
popped out suddenly, leaving the whole
room in intense darkness. Heritage
cried aloud. David felt q hand guild
ing his fingers To the patients head.
Press the sponge down, anJ press
hard" Bell whispered. Its a matter
OF life and death. Another minute and
Van Snack would have gone. Herr
.tage, Heritage. pull yourself together.
1t was no fault OF yours the light went
out-the fault is mine"
Bell stumbled down the kitchen
stairs and returned with a. candle. The
electric lights were out all over the
ground floor with the exception OF the
hall. One Of the circuits had given out
completely, as sometimes happens
with the electric light. Bell leaped on
a table and turned the hall tight out.
A second later and he was dragging
the long spare fiex from the impromp-
tn operating Dom to the swinging cord
owe the hall lamp. With a knife he
cut the cord looGe, he stripped the cop
per wires beneath, and rapidly joined
n fiex to the other.
1T is amateur work, but I fancy it
will do" he muttered. Anyway, that
rascal is powerless to interfere with
the circuit that controls the hall light
Snap went the hall switch-there
was a sudden cry from Heritage as the
bA5 lamp ONNP biAD hChO Va van 0DtGA
fiared up again. Bell raced into the
study and shut the door.
"A trick!" he gasped. "The light
was put out. For heavens sake, Her
itage. don't get brooding over those
fancies of yours now. I tell ou, the
thing was done deliberately. Here, If
you are toe feeble or weak, give the
knife to me"
The request had a sting In Il. With
an effort Heritage pulled himself to.
gether,
"No," he said. firmly, 'Ill do II. II
was q cruel. dastardly trick to play on
me, but | quite see now that 1t was a
trick. Only it's going to make a man
OF me instead"
Bell nodded. His eyes were blaz.
ing, but aa said nothing. He watched
Heritage at work with stern approval.
Nothing could be more scientific, more
skilful. 1t seemed a long time to Da'
vid, looking on, but 1t was a mere mat,
ter of minutes.
Finished" Heritage said, with q
triumphant thrill. "And successful"
"And another second would have
seen an end of our man." Bell said,
Hes coming round again. Get those
bandaSes on. Heritage. I'll look after
the mess. Give him the drug. / want
him to sleep for a good long time"
"Will he be sensible tomorrow
David asked.
"I1l pledge my reputation upon IL"
Bell said. Hadn't you better tele
phone down to your electrician to come
and see to those lights? see the fuse
In the meter Is ~intanct; Ii is only ON
the n circuit that they have gone"
Van Sneck opened his eyes and
stared languidly about him. In a clear
weak, yet wholly sensible voice, he
asked where he was, and then lapsed
into slumber. A little later. and he
lay, snug and still, In bed. There was
q look OF the deepest pleasure in the
eyes of Heritage.
I've saved him and he's saved me-
he said. but it was touch end go for
both of as when that light failed. But
for Bell / fanciee that / should have
tainted. And Their II came to me that
1t was q trick, and ray nerve re-
turned"
aNaver IN leave Won again % patI