The Press., 1912-01-17

Crumpnng me n1e out or nIm De1ore he could drag himself out of reach. Then he tainted.
 After lying unconscious for a few moments he came to himself, feeling a terrible pain in his chest, and found it difficult to breathe He was able to arise and stagger to the house, where he tainted again. A doctor was called, who felt of his chest and found a rib broken As soon as possible surgeon was produced who said that the rib was so badly fractured that 1t could not be set. If left as 1t was it would destroy the lung on which it pressed. In fact, it must be removed. Instead of having the patient taken to hos pital, he decided to perform the opera tion 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 MT. Doyle?"
 ''No. What is it?" cried Octavia. pal ing.
 "He fell through the barn floor and broke rib. The surgeons goin' to take it 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 Doyle's house. she asked if she might be of service. The surgeon told her that he had not yet been able ito secure a nurse and would be glad Ito have her serve i'm that capacity. While he and his assistant were mak- ing their preparations she went to Doyle's bedside and pressed his hand sympathetically
 ''I've had sign," he said.
 "What kind of signY
 "A negative sign. was about to propose marriage to the Widow Per kins when I got the fall. 1t is not in- tended that she be my helpmeet."
 The medical men returned. put the patient on an improvised operating ta- ble, administered an anaesthetic and removed the broken rib. Doyle was then placed on his bed and his return to consciousness awaited by the Oth- ers Presently a low moan announced it's 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 if Adam passed through what l 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 about the others I've re- ceived. but those given me this even ing are mighty powerful. I went to propose to Widow Perkins and was turned back by remembering that l hadn't fed the stock. The result was this fall and being nigh tramped to death by a horse. If that isn't sure sign that wasn't to marry her I don't know anything about signs. And now that the surgeon has taken 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 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 MT. Doyle under the influence of an excitement that b0ded no good. He directed that no one 6e permitted to converse with him until sufficient time had passed to enable him to recuperate. But this did not satisfy Mir. 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, q wish a clergy man.
 What for? You're not going to die"
 "I'm going to be married.'
 Married! In this condition?"
 "Yes. As rib was removed from our common father Adam, of which Eve was made, SOL
 You keep quiet" said the doctor. ''or I'll not answer for the conse- auences."
 And I say I wish you to call in a clergyman. If you don't do it I'll get up and call one myself. My Eve Is here, and it Is my duty to marry her.
 The surgeon looked troubled. He believed the man was delirious and thought it better to humor him. Call- Ing Octavia aside. he said:
 "YOUfd better pretend to go througha a ceremony. It needn't mean anything"
 "As you advise, doctor"