The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-08-19

all things In that instant he saw
deep down into the baseness of his
thoughts, saw the horror and the
blackness Of them. He sprang up with
a cry.
mo, no" he gasped, mot that, not
that. Satan tempted me, but I'll re-
sist-yes, I'll resist. I'll strain every
nerve to save this man. and with
Gods help, I'll do it, I'll do it, I'll
do it,"
On the following morning Herbert
Bassett entered the great surgeons
consulting room. He was tall
brutal-looking young man, with hard
mouth and cruel eyes.
1--WE been recommended to you,"
he said, coarsely, in the tone which
man might use to tradesman,
"and I'm told you're the best chap
for this kind of operation. Money is,
of course, secondary consideration
Just manage the job successfully, and
you can name your own terms"
Had Chesney known nothing of Bas-
sett his repulsive tone would have
been sufficient to sicken him, but he
mastered his resentment and said,
coldly:
IT shall charge you my usual fee.
And now, if you will allow me, I will
make an examination of you, and we
can then arrange details
The examination proved that Bas-
sett indeed was in a serious condi-
ton. An operation would be impera-
tive during the next few days, and be-
fore he quilted the house the neces-
sary arrangements had been made.
Bassett was to enter the nursing home
superintended by Chesney on the fol
lowing day, Wednesday, and on the
Thursday morning at noon the opera.
ton would be carried out.
Next day, whilst Wilfred Chesney
was interviewing patient, his serv.
ant entered and took him aside.
"I beg pardon for interrupting, sir,
he said, in low voice, "but Mr.. Bias
sett is here, and insists on seeing you
Immediately"
'It is impossible for me to see him
now Surely you told him / was en-
gaged?"
"Of course, sir; but, to tell you the
truth, he became so violent that was
afraid of the ladies and gentlemen
in the waiting room being disturbed
and so thought I'd come and tell yor
at once"
eyes, yes; you did quite right Take
him to the study, and tell him I'll BIZ
with him in five minutes.
The man went out, and Chesne!
having apologized to his visitor fol
the interruption, concluded the inter
view as speedily as possible. VIVA
had happened? he wondered. VIII!
had Bassett called SO unexpectedly
and what was the reason of his i'm
patience? Utterly overwhelmed b!
suspense, Chesney got rid of hi
: patient and entered the study.
The instant he entered he foun'
himself gripped by the shoulders, AM
. Bassett was looking into his eye
: with a fiendish stare Chesney was
strong man, and it was the work of
couple of seconds to wrench himsel
free.
What does this mean?" he cried
"Have you gone mad?''
I'm sane enough, you inferna
scoundrel,' shouted Bassett, thickly-
sane enough, at any rate, to sc
through your dirty tricks. You'v
been planning things very nicely, 20
two; and if it hadn't been for tn
> merest chance 1 should have been
dead man by this time tomorrow"
Explain yourself, or leave tn
!, housed"
: Explain! Oh, yes, I'll explain,
shouted Bassett, his small eyes dill;
ted with fury. Perhaps you are nc
L aware that I've discovered that m
! wife was here the other night-he1
= with you-discussing this operatio
:. !. to be made upon me. Perhaps yo
are not aware also that have foun
out what you and she used to be
= each other before I married her?'
:. eff you have found out thes
= things" replied Chesney, trying
speak calmly, II can only say tn;
:, you have found out nothing of whic
your wife or need be ashamed. "
= certainly were engaged years ago. ar
she did come to this house to discu!
L the operation, but in doing SO she W;
playing the part of devoted wi
and nothing else"
"H'm, exactly. She was playing Il
part, as you observe. ! don't belieN
in her devotion. / believe she can
= here to renew her old friendship wit
. you-to hint that If the operate
= failed there would be no Herbert Ba
i sett to stand between you and her
!. you curl"
= For one instant Chesney was {
= the point of catching the brute by Il
= throat, forcing him to his knees, al
- compelling him to take back his vi
,f words. Then he remembered TIL
= this man was suffering from serio,
i complaint-that any violence mig