Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-01-04

INTO an opening IN the fioOr OF tne lolt OF
which he had many years been aware
and landed in stall below. He not only
received an internal injury from the fall,
but the horse occupying the place, fright
ened at his masters sudden entrance,
came near trampling the life out OF him
before he could drag himself out OF reach.
Then he tainted.
After lying unconscious for few mo-
nents he came to himself, feeling ter
rible pain in his chest, and found il diff
cult to breathe. He was able to arise and
stagger to the house, where he tainted
away again. A doctor was called, who
felt his chest and found rib broken. AS
soon as possible surgeon was produced
who said that the rib was so badly frac-
tured that il could not be set. II left as it
was it would destroy the lung on which
it pressed. In fact, it must be removed.
Instead of having the patient taken to a
hospital, he decided to perform the oper-
alton at the house.
Octavia Sparks was on her way to the
village store when Mrs. Butterworth came
along and said:
ola sakes, Octavy, have y hearn
what's happened to Mr.. Doyle ?"
"No. What is it ?" cried Octavia, pal
ing.
"He fell through the barn floor and
broke rib. The surgeons goin' TO take
If out OF him."
The girl made no reply TO this, but turn
ed and hurried home. There she learned
that the surgeon was about to perform the
operation. Going over to Doyle'S house,
she asked if she might be of service.
The surgeon told her that he had not
vet been able to secure nurse and would
be glad to have her serve in that capacity.
While he and his assistant were making
their preparations she went to Doyle's
bedside and pressed his hand sympathet-
ically.
w've had a sign," he said.
"What kind OF "a sign ?"
"a negative sign. was about to pro-
pose marriage to the Widow Perkins
when got the fall. 1t is not intended
that she be my helpmeet."
The medical men returned, put the pa
tient on an improvised operating table,
administered an anaesthetic and removed
the broken rib. Doyle was then placed
on his bed and his return to conscious
ness awaited by the others. Presently a
low moan announced its coming; then
another and another. When he opened
his eyes there was Octavia kneeling be-
side him, his hand clasped by hers.
"Occie," he groaned. al wonder if
Adam passed through what have when
the rib was removed from which Eve was
made"
Then suddenly light came into his
eye, and he spoke again.
"You've always despised signs. !
don't know aboutthe others I've received,
but those given me this evening are
mighty powerful. went to propose to
Widow Perkins and was turned back by
remembering that hadn't fed the stock.
The result was this fall ard being nigh
tramped to death by horse. lfthat 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 ap-
peared to Adam after he awakened from
the deep sleep in which the job was done.
| reckon know what that means"
"What does it mean, Ad ?"
"That if you don't marry me we'll both
of us be flying in the face ofprovidence."
AT that moment the surgeon advanced
and forbade the patient to excite himself.
Octavia withdrew while the medical
man looked over the patient. He found
MIR. DOYLE under the influence OF an ex-
citement that boded no good. He direct
ed 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 remoV
al 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, 81 wish a clergy
man."
"What for? You're not goingto die"
"Pm going to be married"
"Married In this condition 2"
Eyes. AS rib was removed from oui
common father Adam, OF which Eve was
made So" -. n
"You keep quiet" said the doctor, "ol
III not answer for the consequences.
"And say | wish you to call in cier-
gyman. If you don't do it III get up anc
call one myself. My Eve is here, and !
| is nv duty to marry her"
The surgeon looked troubled. He be-
lieyed the man was delirious and though
II better 10 humor him. Calling octayi'
aside, he said: -.
"Y,u'd better pretend>to 60 through
ceremony. II needn't mean anything.
"Very well, DOCTOR" she replied
"But when that knot is tied it's going Z
be tied so that If will stay"
"Amen r. said a cheerful ivoice iron
Mr.. Doyle's couch.