Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1905-02-09
Copyright 1901 by
T. ri.za. r>ld n>iioy
EARLY in the morning a skillful oper-


ness returned The strange scene
around him, the unknown faces bend
ing over him, the words spoken by un-
familiar voices seemed part OF
dream which he was just awakins.
the lassitude he experienced as a re-
suit of loss of blood confirming TINS
| Impression of drowsiness.
Then the movements of others be-
coming more plain to sight and hear
Ing. together with the dull aching
feeling in his head, convincing him he
was awake, when the scene and knowl-
edge of his accident flashed upon him.
His present condition was, therefore,
the result of his fall, but how long ii
was since it had happened he could
not tell.
When he had been carried back from
the operation theater to the private
| ward he occupied, and was once more
IN bed one of the first persons ne saw
was Headwick, who bent over and took
his hand.
where am II" the patient asked in
q faint voice.
I'm University hospital"
How long is it since the accident
happened?"
"Only last night. The surgeon thinks
| you are doing we'll and will be all right
shortly"
rs there no danger of-death?"
Not the least" Headwick cheerfully
| answered.
l,ostock's dark eyes fixed themselves
on space; no sign of satisfaction, re-
| lief or pleasure had shown itself upon
his face at the words which promised
him continuance of life; nor did the
thought that filled him With inward
emotion betray itself to his friend.
though it's effect was presently seen
when the patient gave sudden gasp
as If for breath and then closed his
eyes, In a 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
to his patient he turned to Headwick,
saying:
II fear your presence has excited
him, and as he must be kept quiet,
you had better leave now before he be-
comes conscious again.
Headwick reluctantly took his de-
parture; nor was he on calling In the
afternoon allowed to see Bostock. And
next morning on presenting h1mself
the same prohibition was extended to
him, on which he asked for the house
surgeon.
When the latter appeared his man.
ner was grave, and on Headwicl1 in
quirins if he might not see his friend,
the surgeon shook his head.
after you had left" he said, there
was free bleeding from the wound, and
the pulse went UP to eighty eight.
This must have been caused by ex-
element"
Il know nothing which could cause
him excitement" answered Headwick,
his mind DING back to business af-
fairs. is he better now"
Il am sorry to say he Is much
worse" the surgeon answered quietly.
"Worse?" exclaimed Headwick ap-
prehensively.
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
eft Leg
rs loss of motor power a dangerous
1T is the one which regret to see"
the surgeon cautiously repiled.
us he conscious?"
quite
Then pray let me see him; it may
/ be a 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 il he had been long
expecting him. Headwicl explained
/ why he was unable to visit him the
previous day, adding that he was now
/ permitted to remain but a few minutes
ANY news?" the patient asked. a
! look OF apprehension in his feverisf
eyes, for which his friend could not
I account.
NO; business goes on quite smooth
ly. Set your mind at rest"
4 II was not thinking of business" the
publisher said hastily.
4 of what then?'
'"rhe tragedy--the HiSton road trag-
/ edy," he said with n rapid utterance
I wholly unlike his usual manner.
AS you know, the trial doesn't take
place for some weeks. Nothing of i'm
/ portance is likely to be known before
then"
THAT'S more than you can say: an,
day. amy hour. some discovery nigh
4 be made some explanation forthcom
ing. Eh?"
II think not. You mustn't excite
yourself"
No; 1 must keep quiet" Bostocl
said, striving to subdue his emotion
and presently adding, Go and SET
Mackworth; say l sent you, and 70,
may have some news for me when 20,
4 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 unappre
hensive of the future, and unpreparet
for what was to come. The day Wore
tediously by and as he was Just think
ing of calling or Mackworth, when
telegram from the house surgeon o
University hospital was put into hi
hands requesting his immediate pres
/ l.nGe
Without daring to think what nigh
await him, he jumped into Il cab an,
few minutes later was talking to TIL
house surgeon.
II ann sorry to say Sir Pugin think
Your friends symptoms give rise to TIL
gravest fears the medical man ex
planned THE loss of power at the LEI
side is now complete. his temperatur
is 10. ,Phe internal bleeding has bee
renewed
Then you think he cannot live?"
Il believe he is beyond all hope, an
as it's best he should know he canno
recover. | sent for YOU to break til
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. aud 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 tina
had ever fallen to his experience.
He could never afterward remembe
in what words he conveyed this ter
rible message of an irresistible fate br
he hoped the pity he felt made ther
fall with lighter weight from his lip
than if they had come from strange
They elected no surprise, no terror, IL
gliet. There was even something {
satisfaction, contentment and relic
in Eostocks manner as he said:
II thought SO; l felt from the frs
that must go; it is better l should"
The silence which followed his word