Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-07-14

HE STUMBLED BLINDLY TOWARD THB
SIDEWALK.
their stare, Or. James sat on one of
the lengthwise seats, with his feet
stretched on the one opposite, and
continued to scowl.
Nothing but heat prOstratiOns, cut
head or so and innumerable cases of
cholera infantum had come his way
since he was put in charge of the am
bulance. The deadly monotony was
getting on his nerves. He hated the
intermnable round Of remedies, the
whimperinG babies and the whining
mothers. This was not the energetic
surgical work he had seen before him
during his hospital term. He won
dered II. after all, the doctors life did
not hold deal of drudgery. And the
path to fame and success was bound
70 be strewn with years of mOnotony.
II all might have been very different
II Maud Allen had stood by him
had married him when, in his impetu-
GUS fashion, he had asked her to come
to the city with him and live on the
slender income which came to him
through his uncle's estate. But she
had said that he must first show his
mettle She lacked faith in him, and,
like all women, she was not content
to help a fellow work his way, but
would be quite ready to enjoy the
fruits of his success.
That was the way when girls ia
ther had money and the man who
loved her had few assets except a
clever brain and n prospective. career.
No doubt she was enjoying herself
this very moment at some seaside re
sort, with a string Of silly summer
men paying her sillier compliments.
He hadn't written to her, and he
wouldn't until he had something to
show, and then perhaps he would not
care. All of which We're exceedingly
bitter thoughts to be indulGed in by a
fine looking young chap dressed in
white duck and bowling along in the
finest electric ambulance In the great
city.
He pulled himself together and
shouted to the driver:
Hey, Bill; where in time are we go
ingY
ITO Stinson's wholesale millinery
shop. Bet there's half a dozen girls
tumbled under It's awful under that
SIX ylight where they trim. We got a
dozen cases from there last summer"
DR.. james leaned back moodily, and
the ambulance swung round a corner
then stopped before the entrance Of n
high factory building. \ policeman
stood guard at the door.
Right up the elevator, doc. Pretty
nasty case, | guess. They've been
working over her quite bit"
"And doing the worst things posi-
BILE. / suppose" growled the young
medical man as he stepped into the
elevator. The driver ana policeman
followed with the stretcher. Up they
shot past floor after floor, where the
whirring of machines sounded like the
emphasized waves of heat On the top
floor girls sewed pantingly amid the
silks and velvets which were being
worked into new fall millinery for the
trade. The heavy fabrics added to their
discomfort. but they barely looked up
as the surgeon passed, though one of
their number lay silent and motionless
IN the private Office. 1t was all in the
days work.
DR. James entered the little room.
The green shades had been drawn
ftnhf A Innnn1 n
stretched on the floor, with ice on the
wrists and head. Or. James jerked up
the shade, and the pitiless sunlight
shot across the floor and rested on the
deathlike face. The policeman and the
driver reached the door just in time TO
hear n Gronn which came not from the
patient but from the young doctor.
He turned as white as his new found
patient dropped on his knees ana went
10 work with lips set grimly and nerves
that quigered.
How long has she been like this|
Half an hour" faltercd the forcwo
man, frightened at his savage tones.
''Godr murmured the doctor. Then
he issued some sharp orders to his as.
sistants, and the girl was raised with
a tenderness new to the ambulance
surgeon, ana as the bearers turned tc
leave he said to the rarewoman harsh
ly, Give me cloth"
He covered her face. The gaping
crowd should not see her. As they
passed out of the elevator he still
graspcd the wrist OF the forewoman
what is she doing here
The thoroughly frightened woman
replied stammcringIy: Working, sir
We don't know much about her, sir
She's seen better days, but she trie
awful hard"
Would that elevator never reach tn,
ground floor? And was that hOspita
at the other cnI Of tie city? Ever,
minute was precious now. He leane,
toward the driver
clip it up. Bill"
And Bill turned on more power
They swung round ,he last corner be