Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR NOVEMBER IS. 1910
The Test
Continue hompa
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rom page s
God it won't last long now! Why, old man,
even the doctors I've hired, the best that
money could buy, since this Internal cirrhosis
began gnawing the life out of me-even they
l tell you, have all lied to me, tortured me
with falsehoods that saw through like so
much crystal"
His voice went shrill, as though with un-
comfortable anger Darlington WINGED at
sound of it.
"Then too, that nephew of minc!" con-
tinued Twitchell But the doctors were
worse, think. No truth in them--nothing
but lust for fees! Why, man. not one of
them even now will tell me the living truth
about my condition,-tell me Just how long
I've got to suffer before l can-rcst!"
Seemingly spent with rancor and violent
emotion, the invalid ceased. He lay back,
painting slightly, with closed eyes. The doc
tor regarded him narrowly. Across his
mind came thoughts. hard thoughts, which
mirrored themselves in his face.
W/ELL?" he quered at last. The light in
his eyes was not pleasant to see.
"Just this" resumed Twitchell, when he
had got together little strength again.
"This! 1 made up my mind at last there
was only one man in the world could trust
every way, every tirne-even in spite of the
wrong, the bitterness, the long silence, in
spite of everything! One man! You!"
Darlington made as though to answer:
but from his lips issued no word. His face
had grown almost as pale as the sick mans.
$50 b-oke away from everything out
there" said Twitchell, -" from the harpies
and hellhounds, from the nephew, from
everybody, from all the Internal domination
they've been gradually getting over me as
I've been growing weaker and weaker!
Gave them all the slip. Got big start on
them. Came East to you. Here ami"
Eyes, here you are" the doctor managed
to articulate. His heart was humping.
Here you are; though what you want, or
how you found me, don't know"
Found you? Why, hadn't ever lost you!
l hadn't lost track of you at all, no, nor of
your work, old man. For long time now
I've had clipping bureau send me every
reviews know all about the disagreements
you've had with the profession. l know
your ideas, and all the trouble and ridicule
they've caused you. l followed the Jamison
case from start to finish. When learned
that you passed up twenty thousand you
could have had by just a turn of the wrist
and the conscience thanked God there
was man like you alive! And now, now"
"Well?" 1t was all the doctor could say.
He lowered his eyes lest Twitchell might
read little of his thought.
Nov to the hardest part. Now to the
thing I've been wanting to do for-oh, how
long! Is there-any possibility of anybody
overhearing us?'
Darlington shook his head. mo-" he
answered, I'm all alone here tonight. Go
on. But first let me give you little some
thing, quite harmless, to strengthen your"
mot yet. I'm all right for awhile. Here,
draw your chair up close-so. That's right.
Now"
"Now WHAT"
Il can't live very long, that's certain.
Even if the pain and horror of this thing
weren't wearing me out by inches, the dis
ease itself is bound to get me pretty soon.
Oh yes, it is! Don't talk bosh!' he cried, as
though to head off Carrington's platitudes.
For Heavens sake don't be like the others!
We're talking straight talk now, not bun
combe. Agreed, then, that I'm done for.
Before quit, want to put into reality
plan I've had for some considerable time.
| don't want to snuff out and leave, say,
couple of million or more to be squawked
and scrabbled over by harpies. l won't do
if | fell vOui | want tO leave If all IN medical