Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-08-05
lcopyIight. by ]. 3. Ilppincott Cob

Joe Jennings, foreman of the Bonded
Spur gold mine. Here" commanded
the young physician, stick that UNI
der your tongue, and don't bite it"
Jennings, who was thrashing about
on a cot in Faiion's hotel, snatched the
thermometer and flung it savagely
across the room. 1t narrowly missed
the proprietor of that famous resort,
and broke into fragments against the
upholstered wall
You're a ijiot," was Fallons COM
ment. If / was the Doc. I'd break
your face"
With an oath, the sick man con-
signed Mcfarland to eternal damna-
ton. Then. growing indignant, he
posse after him. Who the devil asked
him to hang up his single in the
Spur, any way? Was anybody sick
here afore he come? No, i guess not
And now Wally's down with the pip,
Carson's kids has the measles, and all
hell's broke loose in my interior"
You'd better quit the job" advised
Fallon, addressing Mcfarland, who
was bending over his surgical case.
Not yet returned the doctor, as
he uncorcek small blue bottle and
loaded a needle-pointed syringe. I'm
going to give him hypodermic injec-
ton of morphine"
Morphine? That's poison Amt it
dangerous?" queried the Irishman.
Yes, but not in the quantity I'm
using
Jennings was suffering too much to
notice the action of Mcfarland, who
deftly caught the miners wrist and
jabbed the needle under the bronZed
skin.
With howl Of pain, Jennings struck
at the physician, who warded off the
blow and pinned his patients arms
to the cot. IF you've got sense enough
to keep quiet for few minutes" he
remarked calmly, you'll feel lot bet
ter. You're sick man, and this non
sense will only make you worse. 1t
looks like typhoid" he added, after a
little, releasing his hold.
Jennings became quiet and soon
passed off into a doze.
''Joe's the popularest man in the
Spur" commented Fallon, making for
the door. do your best for him, Doc.
I'm goin' down to the bar to tell the
boys how he's doin'."
Mcfarland sat by the window, look
ing absently over the mountains,
thinking of his bride of six months,
left behind in Denver. Presently he
took letter from his pocket and read
it through. The last paragraph wor.
ried him. 1t ran:
You have been gone a month now long
enough to know IL the place is fit for me.
| But / shall try to be patient and wait a
week longer Then, If you do not come
TO me, shall go TO YOU.
Your lonely one,
KATHARINE.
He was still intent upon his letter
when Jennings stirred. The young
man went TO the cot. Conscious, but
still under the calming influence of the
drug, the miner permitted him to
make a thorough examination.
Eyes, it's typhoid" he muttered.
mo more morphine. The disease must
|
| ton"
Mcfarland had no sooner made this
decision than jennings, again con-
vulsed with pain, begged for another
hypodermic. When it was refused him
he reached to chair close by his cot.
fumbled among his clothes, and pro-
duced a six-shooter.
Look here, young feller," he threat.
ened, propping himself up on one ell
bow and leveling the pistol, IF you
don't give me one of them doses quick
er than / can count ten, I'll give you a
pill that amt in no way calculated to
preserve your health
Mcfarland shook his head and
laughed You can't bully me, old
mani"
Are you goin' to give me that n.y.
per thing?"
mo"
Mcfarland almost felt the brush of
a bullet and was deafened by pistol
shot. He was only assured that he
was not dead when he heard Jenning s
mirthful comment, That's about as
close as can come without hittin'."
The smoke had mostly cleared away
when Fallon rushed into the room. He
was amazed to see Mcfarland admin.
istering an injection to the belliger.
ent patient. In ten minutes Jennings
was asleep again.
I've had enough of this, Fallon,'
snapped the young man, packing his
surgical case. Il don't propose to prac.
tice medicine under mob rule"
Fallon sighed. Il don't blame you
but II calls at the shack, Doc. you'll
advise me concernin' them baths and
feedin fer him, won't your"
"Oh, I'll do whatever | can I'm that
line as long as | stay, but | won't an.
swer for the result"
II was in an unhappy state OF mind
that Mcfarland returned to his cab
In. Clearly there was no use in trying
to establish practice in Bonded Spur
He would get out as soon as he had
the storekeepcr's child cured OF
| measles Calculaffng that bo mich,