Los Angeles herald., 1909-03-28
49, M NzzlzizY, 4z2eg claR7SzoY e

back-rnake it nice and straight fnebbe, Just like
sailor. 1t won't bodder any more. Johnny was re-
gardng him solemnly and Schaefers eyes dropped
to the floor Dots right" he said obstnately You
leave it all to Chon ! got to go now GoodpY
Chonny"
door of the hospital and turned his quick steps toward
the avenue. In few minutes he was fumbing foI
the bell at the door of brownstone residence.
white card in the window gave the of the famous
surgeon who had smiled behind his hand
"The doctor never sees patients at this hour" said
The maid doubtfully. "He is dressing for dinner
Tell him John Schaeffer wants to see him." said
the man simply "Mebbe he'll come down."
They met in the hall, the great surgeon bland and
gracious in his dinner clothes, the inventor of braces
slouching against the WALL and twisting his old soft
hat nervously in his big hands,
Halo. John| said the surgeon easily, They had
always been John and Robert TO each other since they
had worked together in the old hospital years ago
Robert" began the other earnestly, Il hat nefer
asked favor of you. Now got one-a big one@
He binked ntenty his spectacles and his voice
trembed
Il hat a little friend in de hospital. He ISIS bads
very bad. want you to TX him quick trust nos
body else He iss a little boy-and-and-Ach, Colt
/ lof him p He c1enched his hands convulsively and
leaned back against the wall
The surgeon looked at him curiously And this was
obS eaeer e ea bs Silence 81 a
plenty of money He pulled several bank-books from
his pocket. Take vot you wish 1t ISIS all for HIM.
anyway"
The surgeon took the books gently from the shak=
ing fingers, and put them back in the pocket. Then
he rested his hands heavily upon his friends shoulders
John" said he sterny, that's the meanest thing
you said to me, and you've said some mighty
You didn't intend it, but that hurts
He looked briefly at his engagement book. I'll be al
the hospital tomorrow at three o'clock. Get every
thing ready
When the little patient was wheeled into the oper.
ang room next day. John Schaeffer was at his side.
all sprightly attention How you like dis funny room;
Chonny? All so vite Ell? Now put you Offer here.
you can look right out dot window. Sol How's
dotf Now we going to hf i, some me- fun d.. You To
back to New York town. How's dot%
The nurse came up and whispered in his ear: His
Mop he said sharply II viii go and see DEM
He found them in the anteroom, girl plainly
dressed and with bold deiant-face, a young man.
worked accountant. They squirmed under his keen
scrutiny.
$50 you are his fadder and mudderi"
''Im not his mother" said the girl coldly.
mo" said Schaeffer quickly Tank Colt for doti
He has not got your face"
Deere ISIS no law" he went calmly. ito keep
buns like you from hating children and making dem
cripples But when you neglect like you hat dis ones
dere ISIS anodder law, ych says you cannot haf dec
child. He IS mine now will fight for fifty tousand
If he dies he is Somebody elses You don't get him
no more. anyway, You catch dotf No. you can't ga
in dot ROOM" he added jealousy you wait out-
side you please. Good-day"
When he re-entered the operating the sur~
geon was talking to Johnny and looked up cheeriy-
eyes. That's the only chance"
ing to the the boy WEN BY the time Pm ready to set
tie down for rest, you'll be captain of ship. VIII
you take me for long voyage somewhere"
The boy smiled brightly and nodded his head:
"Ill remember that promise of these days" said
the surgeon. He mooned to the nurse for the anes-
thetc, and John Schaefer moved hastily to the door
wen you want me-" said he, II am offer dare He
pointed to a room across the area .Wate some
haf-hour later, dropped her suddenly and peered
ntently out of the window Upon my souip' she
said, in awesome whisper, there's John Schaeffer
The room was very quiet when he stumbled backs
and he in tiptoe, glancng first at the surgeon
and then at his boy The little face very white
and still.
The surgeon laid the little arm back on the table
and pressed his head to the patients breast listening
for the throb he had lost in the wrist, and John
Schaeffer looked on with dumb horror in his eyes,
He could hear the rapid. steady thump of his own
heart If he could give all its strength another who
needed just little of it. "Ach Goft" he whispered.
and his dry mouth clacked as he opened it. Mast it
court futered the wndow-curtain gently; it carried
lightly the strains of lusty hurdy- gurdy playing be-
fore tenement,house crowd Of street urchns took
themselves up the hospital roof-garden echoed IL
back merrly:
take me back to New York town,
New York town, New York town.
John Schaefer heard it and great tears welled up
in his eyes and dnlmed their sight. His boys own
song-a song his baby lips would sing. more! He
dashed the tears from his eyes---and saw that ths
surgeon was holding his patients wrist again and
peering intently at his face
Suddenly the eyelids uttered and then opened wide
with blank frightened stare gentle, palptating
sigh and they closed again.
flake me back to New York town." came the ir-
slant refrain and the eyes opened this time
with the faintest twinkle of comprehension. The
geon feeling the pulse decately. broke the silence
sharply with hearty chuckle "He's coming back To
New York town." said he gently. John, you've got
your boy back"
A grief-stricken face, grown suddenly old and
haggard, looked at him with pitifu eagerness. "You
Chonny back?'
He sank to his knees beside the table, his head
bowed low, his hands clasped in alteration "Ach. no!
for my boy,-I say-Gott SCI dGnki Aeht'