Evening star., 1909-08-21
XII
Grimbleshaw Loses Patient.

The sunshine and the crisp air of
glorious November day were like a tonic
to body and spirit and the blue devils
that oppressed Grimbleshaw were exor-
cised of their power The world was
pretty good kind of world after ALL
"Pshaw," he said Isn't it enough that
she may need help and that l may be
able 20 give it? I've got to find some
way TO let her know she can depend on
me come what may: yes and be the facts
what they may. Trafford's but man,
anyway; only he's got "a little experience
on his side, while I've got-determina
ton
AS he came back from his professional
visit he went around by the post office
and found couple of letters and pa
per, which he thrust into his pocket ui1-
read for in spite of his real courage he
was too engrossed in thought to be dis
posed to give immediate attention TO ID
matter not bearing on the existing diff
cult1es. He was too engrossed as we'll
to note the curious glances that followed
him or the cold returns given to his
greetings. AS he turned INTO Somerset
street, however. he did have the pres
ence of mind to recognize the assistant
cashier of the First National Bank. whose
wife was one of his few rather important
patients. whether the epithet used
from financial or social relationship. He
had won young Reed by Il skillful sur
gical operation, performed under exigent
circumstances, and he looked on him
not unlikely TO prove the arbiter of his
professional fortunes in Lanceboro.
And how is Mrs. Reed?'' he asked. the
formal greetings over.
Improving. improving steadily Reed
answered as one answers who feels his
words simply a prelude to something
really important.
'+Ah. / had not expected pronounced
Improvement promptly. Tomorrows
my regular day to see her
Il don't think it will be necessary" in
terrupted Mr.. Reed Tiff she needs
We can call you--you have a phone. Ex-
trenely convenient phone if one wants
to call suddenly isn't it?
The inanity of the statement and the
embarras ssment of the speaker made the
dismissal almost ludicrous had il not
been tragic. 1t meant the loss of every
patient whom Grimbleshaw had won
through his success with Mrs Reed, and
of almost every patient III town who
made any pretense to social standing. He
the wreck of his years of hard,
honest work. and faced 1t with the
bravery that great disasters SO often cali
into play. Even under the stress he did
not cease to be the physician.
.'As you please, he said. no deepening
of the tone even limiting at the blow he
felt. but | should be derelict as
physician not to warn you not to let
day pass without placing some competent
practitioner in charge OF the case. with
full knowledge of its history. My notes
are. Of course. a, his command. l know
the situation better than you can and l
warn you not to delay"
You don't feel that-that there is-any
-any-real danger" the other demanded
his assumed coldness vanishing before
the alarm Grimbleshaw's warning had
aroused.
mo. not ii your physician is within
quick reach and understands the case.
Yes. otherwise Send whoever you select
to me; there's too much hazard in taking
time to make an independent study of
the case.
Il certainly appreciate Your Kindness"
replied Reed. Your bill. if you can tell
me what balance is due and he reached
his hand for his pocketbooh.
Il don't carry those things In my
mind. said Grimbeshaw. dstantly. He
never had felt the emptiness of his own
pocket book more keenly than at this mo-
ment. but whatever came he would not
forget the dignity of the physician. 4
will mail 1t TO you.
So that was over. and like a thunder
clap. What did it mean? He had GER
tainly earned his place at the bedside of
this woman for he had known neither
time nor rest in her service. 1t had
more than once happened that TO nave
admitted the claim of either would have
turned the scale from lie to death. In
deed. he remembered. almost with a
smile even now at the iudicrousness of
the affair a winters night when he hur-
ried to her. clad in his bedroom robe and
night slippers. over which he had thrown
his buffalo coat. He could feel the tinSle
Of the cold on his ankles as he shot from
the door to the waiting Sleigh. That
night he was certain he had saved her
life and now he was dismissed. and that
without word of explanation or com
plant.
AS he came into his room The telephone