Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-10-13

Al the resident surgeon obeyed. Brir-
ton started, and the hand about the gilt
tering instrument shook.
"Heavens!" he calculated softly
ELLA" He Strengthened himself. and
tt.faed his white face first upon the resi-
dent surgeon, then upon the anesthetist
"A CHASTITY trick!" he whispered lick
ing his lips. lie was livid, but master of
his nerve again. "Who brought this
woman here?"
Her husband, / presume, a Mr.. Wad-
dington," replied the resident surgeon inn
medately.
The anesthetist glanced at his watch.
/ Brlnton saw the movement, and under
stood; but for moment longer he hest
tated, his eyes bent upon the patients
] face Then he leaned forward. The
blade half hidden in his steadied fingers.
giittered as he lowered it over the exact
/ spot he had marked for the incision, and
! he commenced.
/ The resident surgeon watched the deli
cate movements of the lancet with anx-
ious eyes, while the anesthetist's gaze
was riveted on his watch, by which he
was checking the patients pulse.
One word was spoken; Brinton called
| tor another instrument. The only other
sound above his own heavy breathing
while he worked was a soft, stifed ex-
camatlon OF approval and admiration
from the resident surgeon.
As Brinton stepped back from the table
and moistened his white lips nervouslv
the dresser stepped forward to take up
his task; the anesthetist laid a stetho-
scope to the patients heart and listened
intently; and the resident surgeon moved
/ round OnisalaccIxr
guished confrere.
"One word with you, Haddly," said
| Brinton to the resident surgeon at the
same time drawing him aside. "Where is
the man you mentioned-he who brought
| her here?'
Il imagine he is in the hospital at the
present moment. He was to have re-
] turned"
Il will go to your ROOM" said Brinton.
in low voice. IF you find him else.
where. send him there-alone Tell him
nothing"
They passed out together. the operat
ing surgeon going straight to the others
room. As he opened the door man hur-
ried forward Brinton entered quickly
ard closed the door behind him. Wad-
dihgton drew back, the question of his
heart dying on his lips.
SO we are to meet in singular circum-
stances, sir" said Brinton slowly. his
| eyes looking coldly into Waddington's.
The other half averted his hagoard
! face. Then suddenly he turned upon the
surgeon.
For heavens sake tell me how she
isl" he cried fiercely.
Brinton folded his long arms across his
chest.
"She will never be anything more to
you, sir he answered deliberately.
You delivered her life back into my
hands tonight" said the surgeon softly,
and II accept it,"
! There was long pause. Washington
sat with his face hidden in his hands,
| crying gently like heart torn woman.
Brinton stood, with bent shoulders and
dropping head, watching him his face
| cleaning with such a look of triumph
as could never illumine the face of
] weaker man.
"a delicate operation, SIR said he,
breaking the silence; $50 delicate an
operation that the DETECTION of the seal
pei one-eighth of an inch one way or
the other means death. | am not a be-
lever in predestination, or. if / were,
should certainly imagine that | have
studied the operation with particular at
| tention that | might be the only man
you could call to Elias side tonight.
Tonight circumstances offered me this
this unequaled chance to be revenged on
you for the objectionable wrong YOU
did me while posing as my friend. You
loved her-oh l do not doubt you loved
her, but | loved her, and she loved me.
| You could never have induced her to
leave me but by your elaborate scheme
| for convincing her [ no longer cared for
| her.
And tonight! You brought her here
and laid her down before me as a sacri-
flee to my hatred of you! You offered
me her life"
Great heavens!" cried Waddington,
rising suddenly and advancing toward
him with arms appraised threateningly.
Il had no choice! Would it not have
been the same, you fend, if you had not
operated ~
Brinton caught him by the wrists firm
ly and held him in a wise
you have misunderstood me-" he said.
eoldly. Il said you offered me her life
tonight and | accepted it,
He flung off Waddington's hands and
stepped back.
1T was ndeniably mine tonight and l
secured it, he added. "She will live, and
her life will be mine"
Waddington staggered back.
you say she lives?" he murmured.
"She lives-for me-"
The surgeon turned and walked across
the room.
You are not playing with me, Brin-
TONI said Washington, look of painful
doubt in his CHASTITY face.
The surgeon did not answer.
Truly, her life is yours" said Nad-
dincton. slowly. You have snatched her
from a stronger hold than mine. and
Death and | must admit the justice of
your claim"
His voice broke, and for few moments
he struggled silently with his emotion.
i