The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-26

pain bza AAy IO W n1CA IL ESGLAS0 my depar;p4 head had, after all, re- turned. I looked into the face of Au- berry. Be stood frowning, holding in his hand a feathered arrow shaft of willow, grooved along its sides to let the blood run free, sinew wrapped to hold it's feathers tight-a typical arrow of the buffalo tribes. But, as joined Auberry's gaze, saw the arrow was headIess. Duly argued that, there fore, this head must be somewhere in my neck.
 Ellen Meriwether sat on the sand, gently stroking my forehead.
 'They have gone" said she. 'FWe whipped them" Her hand again light ly pressed my forehead.
 I heard someone else say, behind me, But we have nothing in the world-not even opium
 True" said another voice, which I recognized as that of Orme, ''but that's his one chance"
 "What do you know about surgery ?" asked the first voice, which I knew now was Belknap's.
 tsMore than most doctors" was the answer, with a laugh. Their voices grew less distinguishabIe. but present. Iy heard Orme say, "Yes, Pm game to do it, if the man says so.'' Then he came and stopped down beside me.
 ''Afr. CowIes,'' said be. you're rather badly off. That arrow head ought to come out, but the risk of going after it is very great. I am willing to do what you say. If you decide that you would like me to operate for it, will do SO. It's only right for me to tell you that it lies very close to the caro- tid artery and that it will be an extra ordinarily nice operation to get it out without-well, you know
 I looked up into that strange face the face of my enemy. I knew it was the face of murderer, a man who would have no compunctioR at taking a human life My mind then was strangely clear. I saw his glance at the girl. I saw, as clearly as though he had told me, that this man was as deeply in love with Ellen Meri wether as I myself; that he would win her if he could; that his chance was as good as mine, even if we were both at our best. I knew there was nothing at which he would hesitate, unless some strange freak in his na- ture might influence him. Remorse, mercy, pity, I knew did not exist for him. But with a flash it came to my mind that this was all the better, if he must now serve as my surgeon.
 He looked into my eye, and I re- turned his gaze, scorning to ask him not to take advantage of me, now that was fallen. His. own eye changed. It asked of me, as though he spoke: "Are you, then, game to the core? Shall I admire you and give you an- other chance. CT shall kill you now?'' I say that saw. felt, read all this in his mind. I looked up into his face and said:
 You cannot kill me. am not go- ing to die. Go on. Soon. then"
 A sort of sigh broke from his lips, as though he felt content. I do not think it was because he found his foe a worthy one. I do not think he con- sidered me either as his foe or his friend or his patient. He was simply about to do something which would test his own nerve, his own resources, something which. if successful. would allow him to approve his own belief in himself. I said to myself that I would pay him If he brought me thrOugh-pay him in some way.
 l heard them on the sand again. and I saw him come again and bend over me. All the instruments they could find had been a razor and a keen pen knife; and all they could secure to stanch the blood was some water, nearly boiling. For forceps Orme had a pair of bullet molds. and these he cleansed as best he could by dipping them into the hot water.
  voice. I'm going after it. But now tell you one thing frankly. it's life or death. and if you move your head it may mean death at once. That irons lying against the big carotid artery. If 1t hasn't broken the artery wall there's a ghost of chance we can get it out safely, in which case you would prob ably pull through. I've got to open the neck and reach in. I'll do it as fast as l can. Now, I'm not going to think of you. and. gad!-if you can help it please don't think of me-
 Ellen Mer1wether still held my head in her lap.
 Are you game-can you do this Miss Meriwether?" I heard Orme asI
 felt her hands press my head moi :ghtly. I turned my face down all issed her hand. "I will not move"
 lid.
 I saw Orme's slender naked wri ass to my face and gently turn ito the position desired. with my ia town and a little at one side. restiI n her lap above her knees. Her ski was already wet with the blood of tt' wound. and where my head lay it ws damp with blood BeIknap took m hands and pulled them above my head squatting beyond me. Unknown to the girl. kissed the hem of her garment. and then l said a short appeal to the Mystery.
 I felt the entrance of the knife or razOr blade. felt keenly the pain when