Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-11-21
The Repcration
Of Eustis Carter
By NELLIE cRAvEY GILMORE

M AAN LII. heHuerSOn entered the
~ reception room adjoining his Of
nee at ten O'Clock. the usual crowd
was there waiting for him.
During the six years that had
Elapsed since his graduation the young
specialist had made marvellous pro-
sress in his work. so that at the
present day, not one of his contem-
poraries stood so far. to the front of
the professional ranks as himself.
Several patients were interviewed in
THAR turn before Enstis Carter found
himself ushered into the doctors pri-
Fate Office
Not that I really think you can do
ga any good" he. began, with a sort
OF hopeless defiance: "but"-he paused
and a paroxysm OF coughing ensued-
but I've heard wonderful things of
your skill and. we'll it's a drowning
Gnan's last chance. that's all" He
leaned back YEARLY. almost exhaust
edly. shading his eyes with his palm
After awhile he sighed. and looked up,
q faint CLEAN OF eagerness in his
glance.
DIR. Henderson regarded him with
quiet scrutiny for several minutes. IF
j were quite sure that you want to
yet WELL" he ventured, IL could
thiuk l could treat you successfully.
At the very least. l could promise you
. better lease on life than you appear
TO possess now"
Carter sat suddenly forward in his
chair. a quick light transforming his
pale features into momentary Joy.
what do you mean by that?" he de-
manded; that you can-that you can
really cure me?"
at is just possible
Carter was silent little after that,
lost In thought; his whole expression
was changed, lightened. Then, pres
emily, slow frown drew his brows to-
eether, as his eyes searched the spe-
ciAlist's face narrowly.
But" he protested. you have not
even examined me; you don't know
the condition of my lungs. Why, this
things been going on for over a
yearl" He spoke excitedly. and with a
brutal self-discouragement. which.
nevertheless. bore an unconscious
prayer for refutation.
WAS there consumption anywhere
back IN your parents families?"
81 think not; In fact I'm sure OF It
What makes you think don't want to
get weil?" he concluded. irrelevantly.
DR.. Henderson shook his head and
miled. 81 must have been mistaken
he said, although confess you
seemed indifferent enough at first"
81 was hopeless; that's all. When I
tell you that 1 have spent six months
In a hospital, and paid out a small
fortune to try to get on my feet-with
the result you see"
The doctor interposed a nod of COM
prehension. Naturally" he assented,
but must give you to understand in
the beginning that you will have to
Sield yourself entirely to my charge
for at least that much longer-per-
haps twice as long. An examination
must determine that"
Carter looked blank for an instant
but quickly recovered himself. Five
times over" he broke out earnestly
II you can make a man Of me. The
fact is" he went on with faint flush
have been out there in the Philip
pines for four years. living like
well. like we soldiers do live there
xdeserted my wife AMI child to enlist;
God knows how they have managed
since. though I can't help thinking
sometimes that they have been bet,
ter OF with me gone" His voice
broke and sudden dfmness came int
hts eyes.
The doctor looked at him kindly anC
Laid a gentle hand on his arDi Never
mind about the past" he said; ''w,
are going to have you In shape nov
% little while. and you can max,
n all up to them then"
Carter stared at him DULY. ct coulC
nsver do that" he declared mot If
ifved a thousand years. She was al
18gel and well. l was everything II
The catalogue of bad. from a drunken
tbg to a blackguard. However. | meal
b so back, if she VIII let me, an,
start all over aga.n, clean-handed an,
whole. but not till I'm that"