The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-08-03

Il don't remember l think 1t was
some kind Of an express wagon
My patient seemed singularly free
from resentment, and IL this reckless
jehu had been her brother or her hus-
band and OH trial for hurting somebody
else she could not have been more for
getful Of the circumstances.
Meanwhile had caused carriage to
be called, and presently 1 put my pa
tient into it.
The next day l performed what my
experience taught me might be only the
first of series of operations, perhaps
three, of which the last would mean
life or death. The immediate results,
however, seemed to be very favorable,
and l was pleased professionally and
otherwise
Upon my word, Clarendon said one
Of the assistant surgeons to me, II
think YOU smuggled her in. She ought
to have gone across town."
across town" meant the children's
hospital, which was under the same
management and received patients up
to eighteen years Of age.
I'm glad she's with u.s." said 1. And
in my heart l was very glad indeed and
very strongly resolved to send her forth
restored.
This thought suggested Mr. Merrill.
for it was to him that must send her.
and had taken great dislike to him.
In fact, had already begun to distrust
him and to entertain vague suspicious.
BY arrangement he called at the hos
pital at half past O'clock, the hour
when l was usually ready to depart.
You won't be able to see her, Mr..
Merrill said 1. And he replied, "Oh.
nor with far too great alacrity.
amy message which you wish to
leave for her will be promptly deliv-
ered,' said I, "but as to little presents
and that sort of thing which women
appreciate so much when they're i'll
and especially when they're separated
from those they love-just now I
wouldn't send anything except flow
ers. They're not exciting you know.
like jewels and trinkets."
He stared at me uneasily a minute
to frame question, for his mouth was
little open, and he repeatedly wet his
lips. Then he shut his jaws with
nervous snap and walked out of the
room.
I went across the street to Harley,
the florists, and got few violets,
which l sent to Mrs. Merrill with her
husbands love- The nurse told me aft
erward that the patient was much sur
prised, as she certainly had every right
to be.
The next afternoon Mr.. Merrill sue
ceeded in delivering his question:
as there any danger?"
"What sort Of danger?" said l.
He looked over his shoulder hastily
and then whispered:
THAT she's going to die?"
Was this man a mere weakling and
coward or had he some private source
Of terror?
"Ir Merrill,' said I suddenly, chow
did your wife get this injury?''
'Just as she has told you," he pro-
tested.
"Who was the doctor that attended
her before she came to me?''
II don't know. She went alone.'
"Why did you let her go alone?"
1t took him a long time to frame an
answer to this simple question.
Il didn't know about it." he said at
last
How long have you been married ~
asked And he replied, 1.-Two years. -
with evident relief at the change OF
subject.
At the close of this profltless inter.
view l went across to Harley's and pro.
cured n bunch of hyacinths, because
the nurse had shrewdly found out fol
me that they were Mrs. Merrill's IA.
vorite flower.
Thereafter for five days token Of
an affectionate husbands esteem, quite
unknown to that individual himself
was sent to my patient every after
noon, and some Of the messages which
accompanied these offerings were real
" quite affecting.
Evidently Mrs Merrill had been IN
able to realize at first that her unfeel
ing husband had shown the indications
of a heart, but about the third day sht
began to believe that this good new.
was true She became very particular
about the disposition Of the flowers ant
was greatly delighted when ''her hus
band" was inspired to send a couple o
pretty vases for the posies with al
the love of his heart" or words to tha
effect. l am unable to remember jus
how l expressed 1t.
On the seventh day, just as we wer,
all hoping for the best and beginninl
to feel safe, change for the worse Sc
in. At o'clock on that afternoon
had serious talk with the president o
our board Of trustees, an old man ful
Of worldly wisdom.
"Mr. Curtis said I after stating th
case briefly, there's chance that thi
poor little girl is going to die, and
suppose we'll have to tell her SO ii She
much worse tomorrow, as I'm afrai
she may be, in order to get statemen
that will have the highest legal value
believe that her brute Of husban
struck the blow which endangers be
life today, and he shall not escape th
just punishment"
Mr.. Curtis rubbed his chin, which a
ways had a three days growth Q
beard upon it.
81 will make few inquiries myself,
said he Perhaps I may look In upo
you this evening at your house."