Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1906-11-09

10 turn MIN down, one volunteered.
Yes, and he's pulled most OF US
through some sort Of sick spell when
we were kids, and it's not easy to for.
get IT," said young Hunter, thought
fully, still, as you say, he Is a nuts
ance. and the way he makes this his
headquarters is mighty annoying. !
hate to do II, but ! reckon ri have
to take stand against II somehow"
Meanwhile the old doctor made his
way to the post office, where he asked
at the window for his mail-it had
been long since he had had his own
box-and as he waited he was sudden
ly aware Of what appeared to him the
clerks unnecessary slowness lie grew
irritated and took the few advertising
circulars which were his portion with
a sharp word OF rcproof that only ellie.
tied grin.
The doctors spare flesh flinched
from the wind when he again faced
IT, All warmth had gone out Of 1t and
out Of life. There was much. much at
fault In the world. Courtesy was quite
gone; no consideration for age or
merit n.iwhere. And one met ingrat-
itude at svery hand. That young Wo-
man, no| in rustling skirts, which
she drew aside as from contamination
as she passed him with icy bend Of
the head--there was some reason why
she should be gracious and kindly to
! him.
His step Jagged slower and his eyes
were glazsd with tears. And the silk
en- clad young woman Of naughty man.
ner was explaining to her companion.
a recent esident Of lleriaville. II was
a task that came often to DR.. La
Tours acquaintance.
Ridiculous, isn't II, to speak to
such a looking creature? | tell mother
! don't know what strangers must
think, but she insists on my speaking
to him, because he was once the best
doctor In this part OF the country, and
he saved my lie when was baby.
But he got to using morphine and has
simply gone down to the dregs. Aw-
full, isn't IT."
1T certainly is. ! can't for the life
OF me comprehend how q person can
do such things, Especially doctor
who knows what the consequences
must be-"
"oh, Of course not" the other
agreed
They were young; health ran full
In every vein, and life had been kind.
They went on with a high sense OF
virtue lifting them above those whose
feet go down in slippery places.
DR.. La Tour was not observant Of
his dwellings, deficiencies as he again
viewed 1t from his sagging gate. He
stumbled up the broken walk and into
It's barren walls quite without thought
Of plan for Improvement.
The room h. entered had once been
spacious Apartment, with frescoed
; ceiling and paneled walls. but the
, Cupids and garlands were blurred to
vagueness now, and signs of all pro
cesses OF living were In dsordered ev-
idence. II was indeed, the only habi-
table room in the house. Books and
bottles numbered shelves and tables,
and were heaped upon the floor. An
unmade bed with soiled clothing stood
In one corner; a cooking stove with
an overflow Of ashes in another There
were remnants Of frugal meal upon
an oilcloth.covered table near It., and
a smouldering fire in the hearth OF
/ the great fireplace
, The doctor stirred the embers to
what life was possible and, sinking
into rickety arm chair, spread his
, thin, shaking hands over them as II
, to gather their warmth to himself.
lie was tired very tired. His head
| sank on his breast, and his eyes
> closed But surely there was season
:. enough for WEAKNESS, With scarlet
, fever raging aud but one pair Of hands
. to fight 1t, the strength Of a man was
. sorely tried. Back and forth-back
and forth--from this house to that.
q No time to eat or sleep. Fight, fight
fight increasingly, the subtle forces of
4 the disease and the weight of spent
flesh. Bach and forth-day and night
a with now the wrenched heart Of de,
!, feat and now the exultant pulse OF
h triumph. And always the need the
demand, for alert senses-for strength
that was more than human. Still there
= was much that was good in It all. Oh
very much. The grateful tears Of
mothers, the fervent grasp Of fathers
hands He made a cropping gesture tC
; meet the friendly clasp, but his fin
gers only closed about a small alumni
nun case lying on the broad arm Of
the chair.
lie stared at Il for moment wifi
u unseelng eyes. then he mechanically
charged the syringe and, seeking out
with difficulty an unwounded spot Of
I his shrlveled flesh, he drove the por
l. ton Of Lethe home.
And for the life OF the young drug