South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-02-07
SECOND YEAR OF
MARRIED LIFE.

DIR. II. NJ. Fireman, Surgeon Den
fist" read the lettering on the ground
glass. AS Helen opened the door.
bell rang shrilly until she entered and
closed it after her.
For a moment she stood uncertain
ly in the little reception room. Then
the doctor, white-cOated, and with an
instrument in his hand, appeared at
the office door.
"Oh good afternoon, Mrs. Curtis,
I'll see you in just few minutes. / m
not quite through yet"
Helen took "A chair by the table and
turned over the several months old
humorous Weeklies, much thumbed.
among them. Evidently people who
were waiting for the dentist did not
care for any heavier literature than
that offered by a comic paper.
The peculiar Odor Of mingled drugs
and antiseptics that is always part of
the atmosphere Of a dentists office.
to force down that flutteTing tremu-
lous feeling that this odor and the
nearness to the dental chair always
brought.
She dreaded it so. Her teeth were
peculiarly sensitive. The last work
on them hurt her cruelly-and she
shrank from pain with all the horror
of a child. And today there were TO
be two filings and one tooth drawn.
She was to take gas for the eXtrac-
ton, and Warren had promised 10
come up at 1870 to to be with her then.
1t was a quarter to four now, and
the work was TO be done on the I'LL
ings until Warren came.
From the other room now came
.
tOr-dOn't-Oh, OH
Then the doctors voice. Hold still
now-just second longer. There
now this won't hurt
The moan had not helped TO soothe
Helen's own quivering nerves. she
tried TO keep her mind on the comic
paper, but she read one of the jokes
three times without realizing what II
said 1t was a midsummer number.
How strange the jokes Of a midsum-
mer magazine seem in midwinter.
There were the usual squibbs about
the ice man, the scanty bathing suit
and the summer widoWer
Now. that's all today" came from
the Doctors room. IF that cotton
filling hurts you-yOu can take II out.
But it's better left in
Then Tuesday at ten I think you
said?" asked the woman.
,Helen's heart beat faster. She knew
now he would soon be ready for her.
The woman came through, put on
her wraps which were lying on a chair
beside Helen, and hurried out.
Now. Mrs. Curtis" and the doctor
appeared once more at the door. Helen
went in, laid aside her wraps, and got
up into the chair Just the sight OF
the shining instruments made her
sick with fear. She could hear him
washing his hands behind the screen
We'll. we're getting a real touch OF
winter today ne remarked cheer-
fully,
II is a prevailing belief among dem
lists and physicians that some com
mOnplace remark tends to distract the
patients thought. when as a rule 1t
initiates them by the very obvious
ness of its intention.
Helen leaned back and closed her
eyes while with brisk indifference ne
made ready his instruments
Now just a moment. please. as he
quickly adjusted rubber shield in her
mouth Just a little wider-there.
For half an hour he worked on the
filling Except for an occasional
moan. Helen made no Outcry. But
her hands were clenched tight on the
arms Of her chair and her feet braced
rigidly against the footrest.
DR. Fireman was most conscientious
and painstaking in his work, and while
he made every effort 10 minimize the
pain. vet his manner was not very
sympathetic. And now as the instru-
ment touched a nerve. with stified
cry Helen put up her hand.
Don't do that" he warned her
coldly. Don't catch my hand or
you'll make the instrument slip"
Aud again Helen clenched the arms