The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-02-17

His present condition was therefore
the result of his fall, but how long II
was since 1t hoI happened he CoulG
not tell.
When he lad been carried back from
the operation theater to the private
ward he occupied. and was once more
In bed. one Of the first persons he saw
his hand.
where am I?' the patient asked in
a faint voice.
an University hospital"
How long is 1t since the accident
y pened?"
only last night. The surgeon thinks
you are doing well and will be all right
shortly"
rs there no danger of-death?"
Not the least" Headwick Cheerfully
answered.
Bcstock's dark eyes fixed themselves
on space. no sign of satisfaction. re-
lief. or pleasure had shown itself upon
his face ct the words which promised
him a continuance of life; nor did the
thought that filed him with inward
emotion betray itself to his friend,
though It's effect was presently seen
chen the patient gave sudden gasp
as If for breath and then closed his
eyes. In moment the sister was be-
side him.
HE has tainted" she said as she
hurried to apply restoratives.
The house surgeon, just then absent.
was quickly called. and after attending
tu his patient he turned to Headwick.
saying:
II fear your presence has excited
him, and az he must be kept quiet,
you had better leave new before he be-
comes conscious again."
Headwick reluctantly took his de-
parture; nor was he on calling III the
afternoon allowed to see Bostock. And
next morning; on presenting himself
the same prohibition was extended to
him, on which he asked for the house
surgeon.
When the latter appeared his man
Aer was grave, aud on Headwick in
quiring IL he might not see his friend,
the surgeon snook his head.
After you had left" he said, there
was free bleeding from the wound. and
the pulse Welt up to eighty eight.
This must have been caused by ex-
element"
Il know nothing which could cause
him Excitement" answered Headwick,
his ..!ind ding back to business at
fairs. rs he better now?"
Il am sorry to say he Is much
WORSE" the surgeon answered quietly.
"Worse?" exclaimed Headwick APP
prehenslvely.
yes: there Is loss of motor power in
the left arm which fear Is gradually
increasing. There is as yet no loss of
sensation, and he can freely move his
left leg"
rs loss of motor power dangerous
symptom"
TT is the one which l regret to see"
the surgeon cautiously replied.
rs he conscious?"
quite"
'"rhen pray let me see him; it may
be relief to him."
After some slight hesitation Head
wick was allowed to visit his friend.
on the condition that he did not remain
longer than five minutes. On Head
wick entering the ward Bostock looked
at him eagerly as If he had been long
expecting him. Headwiclt explained
why he was unable to visit him the
permitted to remain but a few minutes
ANY news?" the patient asked. a
look of apprehension in his feverish
eyes, for which his friend could not
account.
mo; business goes on quite smooth
ly. Set your mind at rest"
81 was not thinking of business" the
publisher said hastily.
"Of what them"
1.-The tragedy-the Hixton road trag-
edy," he said with a rapid utterance
wholly unlike his usual manner.
las you know. the trial doesn't take
place for some weeks. Nothing of i'm.
po-tance Is likely to be known before
then"
That's more than you can say; an.
day, any hour. some discovery nigh
ing. Eh?"
II think not. You mustn't excite
yourself"
mo: I must keep quiet" Bostocl
said. striving to subdue his emotion
and presently adding. Go and see
Mackworth say sent you, and yol
may have some news for me when yo,
come here again."
After promising to obey Headwick
whose time was up, took his departure
grieved at what he had heard Of hi:
friends condition, but as yet unapp.e.
hensive of the future, and unpreparet
for what was to come. The day wore
tedlously by. andsas he was just think.
ing Of calling on Macsworth, when {
telegram from the house surgeon O.
University hospital was put into hi.
hands requesting his immediate pres
ence.
Without daring to think what nigh
await him, he jumped into cab ant
few minutes later was talking to tn,
house surgeon
II am sorry to say Sir Pugln Think
your friends symptoms give rise to tn,
gravest fears" the medical man ex,
planned. ''The loss of power at the lef
side Is now complete, his temperatur,
lis ITO. The internal bleeding has beer
renewed
Then you think he cannot live?"
| II believe he is beyond all hope, ant
as It's best he should know he canno
recover, l sent for you to break tn,
news to him. He may wish to settl,
his affairs
Has it come to this?" asked Head
wick. his distress apparent In the tire
NOR of his voice and the pallor of hi,
face. :,
Yes. and there is no time to lose,
saying which the surgeon led Head
Wick to the ward once more, where h,
was to perform the hardest task tha
mad ever fallen TO his experience.
II He could never afterward refnembe
3 In what words he conveyed this ter
iribie message of an irresistible, fate bu
he hoped the pity he felt made then
/ fall with lighter weight from his lin
/ than IL they had come from a strange,
| They ELECTED no surprise. no terror, n
! grief. There was even something O
satisfaction, contentment, and relic
| in Bostock's manner as he said:
Il thought so; / felt from tile frs
that I must go; 1t is better should"
The silence which followed his word
was painful. In the passage outsid
were sounds OF hurrying footsteps ant
,subdued voices, one calling to tn,
other, and the banging of door Bu
Jail such things were unheeded by hin
before whose inward sight the great
gates OF death stood wide anarf Tn a