The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-12-30
DECEMBER AND May

fashionable side streets hard 10y Ora
mercy park and hung out big bras,
physicians sign. The neighbors won
dered as 10 whom this newcomer might
be and watched the door Till they lis
covered that she was a woman
Then the days went 10y and the solicit
tous nci-hborS watched and waited.
But nobody called Or Wickham out
Christmas came and went and the
brass sign continued TO glow under th.
daily hbors Of the stout servant But
the doctor did not venture from her sol
itude.
And New Years eve was come again.
and the people Of the neighborhood
We're Wild with excitement. Tor tn.
ringing OF the chimes in the church
tower was an event that annually re-
juvenated everybody Thither on this
bitter night. as the hands of the Ola
clock assembled TO the hour OF -. thou
sands wendell their way. There were
acres OF fur clOaks and blue noses. and
the frozen snow crunched with n metal
lie ring beneath a myriad 81 gum shoes.
At last the great bells I'm the tower
pealed out and told that another year
had been born. And simultaneously the
blare OF trumpets. arising from the
crowd. almost shut out their music.
suddenly a cry went up-a cry that
some one had swoued. Tho horns
ceased. the bells rang ON. and every
body gathered around the prostr.,te
form OF young Nt,'e Van Bu>>om who
lay upon the snow white ani if~tlcSS.
rs there medical man in the
crowd?' some one asked.
Yes. Win you Kindly allow mo TO
get hold of his pulse." answered q
strong faced woman as she edged her
way through the ranks Ii was Dr
Prudence Nickham.
"Ah. the cold has told ON h.m aud
his body is fast becoming ri-id." She
said lie must be taken go my office
instantly or he viii not survive ten
minutes"
Strong arms gladly or.ynl. aud VIII
lie Van Bussom WAS borne AWAY and
deposited on lounge i'm the physiciau's
Office. Then the crowd Withdrew. the
doors closed and between her clfuchod
teeth nr. Prudence WicAham. alone
with her victim muttoroi.
AT last. At last
For a time she surveyed the motion.
less form before her IN glad triumph.
Then. walking To her surgical case. sa.
took out an assortment OF knivc, r-..;
saws. Depositing them upon q small
table near her patients head. She took
a strong cord from wall closet and
bound him hand and foot To the sofa
This accomplished. she held vial az
ammonia water TO his nose and shaok
him violently.
whats trumpsy- he asked MS ne
yawned and opened his eyes in be-
wildered way.
BE quiet my poor fellow an
swered Dr. Wickham I'm assuring
though professional tones. Then SHE
drew the table with the Instruments
into palmer view and locked the door
OF the room.
but where am - he pleaded
"Oh. never mind. You must ~ To-
sleep now. 50 that may begin The or,-
Grafton" And thereupon Dr Wick
ham proceeded 20 saturate a sponge
with chloroform
What are you going TO do with meT'
be again demanded. now thorouchly
awake and excited
why, don't you know that am
about to amputate both your legs: I'm
lwfully sorry. but
"Amputate my legs
Yes. So prepare for the ordeal"
And she set the chloroform down and
look up The biggest saw on the table.
Willie Van Bussom wriggled and
thrashed and plunged. but to no avail.
The cord held him prisoner. When he
had finally exhausted all his strength.
Dr- Wickham leaned over him and
with pair Of scissors proceeded TO di-
vest him of the lower portions Of his
trousers.
Wont you have some pity? Can't
we fix it up by arbitration; don't
wish to lose my legs" And his sohs
were loud and pathetic.
To DR.. Wickhams mature mind II
was plain that the time for action had
arrived. So. arresting her scissors. she
looked into his face md said:
What would you do to save themf"
what would not do?'' he answered.
c-sf- AhhNAA ~ HAtstN NtaAilD. 1t ci3 II
be yours"
They looked at one another for a
time. Then Or. Wickham broke the
silence.
IF that Is all. then OFF they come"
And she reached for the saw once
more
Hold. Hold. will. moreover. agree"
the words clogged in his throat-"I
viii agree TO marry you"
There, that is sufficient" answered
DIR. Wickham. And then. cutting the
thong that held his right hand, she
babe him write his proposal down on
paper.
With trembling hand he did so. and
it ran as follows:
My Dearest DR.. Wickham-You have
saved my life. and in my gratitude for
your services offer you my hand in we'd
lock Your slave,
WILLIAM VAN BUSSOAd.
The first sun that arose on the new
born year found them standing before a
minister. The occasion. strange enough,
n loo. flsf,