Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-23

down the hay Whether It was his
perturbed condition Of mind concern
ing his proposal and the probably con-
sequent separating himself for all time
from Octavia Sparks. the fact remains
that he stepped into>an opening in the
floor OF the loft OF which he had many
years been aware and landed in a stall
below He not only received an inter
nal injury from the fall. but the horse
occupying the place. frightened at his
masters sudden entrance, came near
trampling the life ont OF him before
he could drag himself out of reach.
Then he fainted-
After lying unconscious for a few
moments he came to himself. feeling a
terrible pain in his chest. and found 1t
difficult to breathe. He was able TO
arise and staCger TO the house. where
he tainted again. 4 doctor was called.
who felt Of his chest and found rib
broken. AS soon as possible surgeon
was produced who said that the rib
was so badly fractured that It could
not be set. II left as IT was It would
destroy the lung on which ii pressed.
In fact. it must be removed. Instead
of having the patient taken to a hos
pital. he decided to perform the opera
ton at the house.
Octavia Sparks was on her way TO
the village store when Mrs. Butter
worth came along and said:
La sakes, Octavy. have v hearn
what's happened to Mr.. Doyle?'
NO. What is it," cried Octavia, pal
ing.
He fell through the barn floor and
broke a rib. The surgeons goin' TO
take 1t out OF him.
The girl made no reply TO this. but
turned and hurried home. There she
learned that the surgeon was about
to perform the operation. Going over
to DoyIe's house. she asked II she
might be of service. The surgeon told
her that he had not yet been able to
secure a nurse and would be glad TO
have her serve in that capacity.
While he and his assistant were max
ing their preparations she went to
Doyle's bedside and pressed his hand
alphabetically.
I've had sign" he said.
what kind OF sign?'
"A negative sign. was about TO
propose marriage to the Widow Per
kins when 1 got the fall. II is not in
tended that she be my helpmeet."
The medical men returned. put the
patient on an improvised operating ia
BILE. administered an anaesthetic aud
removed the broken rib. Doyle was
then placed on his bed and his return
TO consciousness awaited by the 9th
ers. Presently n low moan announced
its coming; then another and another.
When he opened his eyes there was
Octavia kneeling beside him, his hand
clasped by hers.
"Occie," he groaned. "I wonder II
Adam passed through what 1 have
when the rib was removed from which
Eve was made"
Then suddenly n light came into his
eye. and he spoke again.
You've always despised signs. /
don't know about the others I've re-
ceived. but those given me this even
ing are mighty powerful went TO
propose 10 Widow Perkins and was
turned back by remembering that 1
hadn't fed the stock. The result was
this fall and being nigh tramped 10
death by horse. IT that isn't a sure
sign that wasn't to marry her don't
know anything about signs. And now
that the surgeon has taken a rib out O
me you pop up before me as Eve APP
peared to Adam after he awakened
from the deep sleep I'm which the Job
WINS done. l reckon | know what that
means"
what does IT mean, ADJ"
THAT II you don't marry me Wen
both OF us be dying in the face of
providence"
At that moment the surgeon ad-
vanced and forbade the patient to ex-
cite himself Octavia Withdrew while
the medical man looked over the pa
tient He found Mr.. Doyle under the
influence OF an excitement that BODIED
no good. He directed that no one be
permitted TO converse with him until
sufficient time had passed TO enable
him TO recuperate But this did not
satisfy Mr.. Doyle. He conceived that
his fall from the haymow. the removal
OF the rib and at his awakening his
finding Octavia beside him meant that
she was the woman he was to marry.
Doctor" he said. II wish a clergy
man"
what for2 You're not going to die"
I'm going 10 be married"
Married. In this conditionT
Yes. AS rib was removed from
our common father Adam, of which
Eve was made, So
You keep quiet" said the doctor.
cor I'll Lot answer for the cOnse-
quences"
And / say / wish you to call in
IF you don't do II I'll get
up and call one myself My Eve Is
beIn and 81 IL my duty TO marry her"
lie surgeon looked troubled He
believed the man was dcliriOus and
thought it better TO humor him. Call.
Ing Octavia aside. he said
You'd better pretend TO 20 through
ceremony. II needn't mean anything"
"As you advise, doctor"