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

AOuSS LII L1dAOFOI OIASSL, duu " ll1ISu
Chesney was at peace for the next
dozen hours or so. He had just fin
ished his solitary dinner and was
slipping his coffee when a knock
sounded at the door of the dining
room and his man Peters entered.
lady to see you, sir" he said, as
he presented salver on which lay
little note
DR.. Chesney tore open the envelope.
The enclosure ran thus:
''Wilfred-I send you this note in
stead of the more conventional card
tell you tonight it is imperative that
nobody-not even your servants
should know of my visit. l am sure
you will see me if only for old times
sake CLARE"
The great surgeons heart began to
leap wildly. What had happened?
Why was this woman whom he had
given up five years ago as lost to him
for all time now creeping to his house
like thief in the night, unwilling
that none but himself should be aware
of her visit? What did it all mean?
The servant coughed slightly to at
tract his masters wandering atten-
ton.
shall l ask the lady to step into
the study, sir?" he asked.
Yes. And tell her, please, that l
will be with her in a minute"
Every well, SIR
h The famous young surgeon few to
the mirror, arranged his tie, and
smoothed his hair. Although cele-
brated throughout two continents, he
was still young enough to desire to
look pleasing in the eyes of the wom-
an who once upon time had been
all the world to him. Having made
himself presentable, he went with
swift steps to the little study at the
end of the hall, wondering keenly
what was going to happen next.
Was it possible, he asked himself,
that her husband was dead and that
she had come to Hanover Street to-
night to tell him that she was free
that the two of them might take up
the strands of an unfinished romance
and weave it gloriously to it's ap-
pointed end? His heart beat furious
ly, and his hands trembled so violent
ly that he could scarce turn the
handle of the door.
When he entered he saw Clare sit
ting near the lamp with it's light shin
ing on her hair like the light of the
afternoon sun upon saint in a stain
ed glass window. She seemed more
lovely than ever as she came to him
quickly and took his hand.
One glance at her clothing showed
the surgeon that his theory as to the
husbands death was wrong, for Clare
wore no mourning. Bassett was alive
then, he told himself, and Clare was
as far away from him as ever.
"You-you are surprised to see me
after all this time," she said, gently,
''but have come here on matter of
terrible Importance. 1t is matter of
life and death"
He looked at her keenly as he let
go her hand. Surely she had not
come here to consult him regarding
herself, for, although her face spoke
of sorrow and suffering, there was
obviously nothing wrong with the
girls physical health.
Come, let us hope it's not so bad
as all that" said Chesney, trying to
speak lightly; now, sit down and tell
me all you have to tell"
TIT is about my husband" she
began, neryously; 'he-he is coming
to see you tomorrow to ask you to
perform an operation on him-the OPP
Grafton which has made you so ia
nous, the operation which they say
is safer in your hands than in the
hands of any man in Europe"
YES, yes; go on, go on"
eft is difficult for me to say what is
in my mind" faltered the girl, a little
i huskily, "but-but / think you will
understand. You have heard, dare
say, that my married life has been a
failure-a miserable failure. Herbert
has made my existence martyrdom
with his jealousy and his brutality.
Knowing all this, I thought that in all
probability you would refuse to per-
form the operation for him, and so
have come here tonight to beg you to
put aside all thought of me and-and
to do your best for him"
Il The face of Chesney hardened and
the lines about the mouth stiffened.
i, You were right, quite right in your
belief" he said. coldly; Il certainly
should have refused. Five years ago
you and I were engaged to be mar
ried. I was hard up in those days,
and success seemed thousand miles
away. Your people forced you into
this marriage with Bassett, and you
were weak enough to obey them. And
Il noW-noW you come to me and ask