The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-10-16
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By Fred M. Nhite
CHAPTER LII.
Putting the Light Out.

Once the trio were in the operating
room. Bell gave one rapid glance at
Heritage But the latter seemed to
have forgotten all 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 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 q 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 no larger than a
pea"
Heritage nodded without reply. He
took up a knife, there was fash of
steel In the brilliant light and a sud
den splash of blood. There was
scrape, scrape, that iolted horribly on
David's nerves, followed by a convuls-
i've movement of Van Sneck's body.
Beautiful, beautiful" Heritage
murmured. How easily 1t comes
awayi"
Bell was watching, in deep admira-
ton, of the strong hand that was yet
as light as thistledown. The big cleo
trio light fiickered for just moment,
and Heritage stood upright.
Don't be 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
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 fiickered again and
popped out suddenly, leaving the whole
room In intense darkness. Heritage
cried aloud. David felt a hand guild
ing his fingers to the patients head.
Press the sponge down, and press
hard" Bell whispered. its a matter
OF life and death. Another minute and
Van Sneck would have gone. Herr
tage. Heritage, pull yourself together.
1t was no fault of yours the light went
out--the fault Is mine"
fDau uf,,,,I,lad 51x.,u A.
stairs and returned with 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
q table and turned the hall light out.
A second later and he was dragging
the long spare fiex from the impromp-
tn operating room to the swinging cord
over the hall lamp. With a knife he
cut the cord loose. he stripped the cop
per wires beneath, and rapidly joined
one fex to the other
1T is amateur work, but l 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 sudden cry from Heritage as the
big lamp over the head of Van Sneck
flared up again. Bell raced into the
study and shut the door.
"A trickl" he gasped. "The light
was put out. For heavens sake, Her
ttage, don't get brooding over those
fancies of yours now. | tell you. the
thing was done deliberately. Here, If
you are too feeble or weak, give the
knife to me-"
The request had sting in It. With
an effort Heritage pulled himself to-
gether.
mo" he said. firmly. '1'll do it. II
was cruel, dastardly trick to play on
me, but quite see now that II was a
trick. Only it's going to make a man
of me instead"
Bell nodded. His eyes were blaz-
ing, but he said nothing He watched
Heritage at work with stern approval
Nothing could be more scientific, more
ekilful. II seemed a long time to Da-
vid, looking on, but IL was mere mat
ter of minutes.
Finished" Heritage said, with a
triumphant thrill. And successful"
"And another second would have
seen an end of our man." Bell said
Hes coming round again. Get those
bandages on, Heritage. I'll look after
the mess. Give him the drug. I want
him to sleep for a good long time"
''Will he be sensible tomorrow"
David asked.
'fI'll pledge my reputation upon IT,"
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; 1t is only on
the one 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 Iapsed
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 1t was touch and go for
both of us when that light failed But
for Bell / fancied that should have
tainted. And then it came to me that
4 was q trick, and my nerve re-
turned
Never 20 leave you again" Bell
said. IT TIED yea high and found
you not waning"