The Press., 1914-08-12
When Death Was Sweet Her Dream Became a
 Reality
By ETHEL JAMES COANN Copyright by Frank A. Munsey Co.

get into his phaetOn one of the internes rushed out and said, "Dr. Arnold wants you to do the operation he has on for 10 o'clock" The surgeon removed his foot from the carriage step and turned around.
 'I don't know anything about the case. Where is ArnOld?"
 He's had an accident and cant come"
 The doctor meditated a minute or two. then went back up the hospital steps.
 A few minutes later the surgeon. in clinic uniform. entered the operating room.
 A door swung open. there was a strong odor of ether, and two Orderlies carried in woman on stretcher. The anaesthetist kept the cap over her face as they lifted her to the table.
 As Severn began to operate he laid his fingers for an instant on her wrist, then made the incision for straight laparotOmy. In his movements there was no haste.
 "I have my doubts about this case. '' he said coolly as the flesh parted un- der his steady blade.
 The assistant noticed a puzzled look on the surgeons face as he heSitated in selecting an instrument. A hush fell. for he was feeling his way cau- tiOuSly.
 The patients breathing was slow and labored. and the sides of her emaciated body quivered with each respiration.
 Let up on the ether." Dr. Severn commanded.
 Silently he picked instrument after
 The work began in earnest-slOw. cautious wOrk-till the perspirat tion stood in great drops on the surgeons forehead. and the clinic nurse had a white line around her mouth.
 Then suddenly. as if the silence were loud report, they perceived that the patient had ceased breathing. The sur geOn spoke one word:
 "Airw
 A nurse opened the window. the anaeSthetist laid aside the cap. and. without letting go the ligament he was tying. the surgeon rested his eyes upon the still face.
 Slowly the patient inhaled the fresh air. and then. by some freak for which there is no accounting. she opened her eyes. looking full at the surgeon. who. with a look of horror that turned his face ashen and drew dark circles un- derneath his eyes. looked at her.
 In flash the anaesthetist put the cap back and spriHkled ether. but the sur geon stood as if frozen.
 A dark eyed nurse who had been standing apart with bandages stepped softly to Dr. Severn's side and. holding a glass to his lips. said:
 Drink"
 When the operation was finished and the Orderlies came to carry the patient back to her room the surgeon brushed them aside and lifted her on to the stretcher. As he stood after they had gone his assistant said:
 ''l thought you were going to funk. Did you tumble that artery badly"
 What artery?" He hastily removed his linen coat and left the room.
 Along the corridor of private rooms he met Miss Ashton. the head nurse. How is No. 2O?'' he asked.
 Coming out all right, doctor"
 ''Is any one watching herr"
 ''I have just come from there. She is quiet"
 "I want to watch. 1t Is a critical case" he said as he entered room No. 20
 On the high cot the patient lay. breathing painfully, moaning from time to time and muttering incoherently. The surgeon sat down beside her. holding one wrist lightly. shading his eyes with his other hand. At two Miss Ashton came in.
 Don't you want some lunch. Dr. Severn?" she asked.
 He reused himself.
 Perhaps l do.'' he replied. But l don't want this patient left alone. Has she special nurseY'
 No"
 Then can you spare that little dark nurse who was in the operating room?'
 Miss Ashton rang her bell.
 Ask to have Mrs Howell sent up to take charge of No. 2O." she said to the office boy.
 AS they crossed the court to the nurses dining hall Miss Ashton noticed the drawn look on the doctors face.
 When he got back the nurse was bathing the patients face. When she went out he opened the blinds and carefully studied every feature.
 That night he rested on a sofa In the end of the corridor Toward morn Ing he heard two nurses chatting.
 "Dr. Severn is asleep on the sofa by Ete sun room." one said. You know he did ArnOld's op today. They say 1t was hard one. and he's afraid she's going to die: then Arnold Fl have one on him.
 Good: hope she will! like Dr., Arnold
 With feeling of sickness the doctor got up and went back to No. 20.
 The cool gray of early dawn was just merging into pink, and the wind window.
 As he took the chair beside her bed he saw her hand hutter on the counter pane, and. bending over, just ais the light touched her. he saw that her eyes were open and on her poor face look of ineffabIe content rested.
 He took the futtering fingers in his hand and said. Nell"
 Then she fell asleep.
 The pink dawn yielded to yellow sun. light. and still she slept. The surgeon went down to breakfast. and when he returned she had not awakened. At 10 o'clock the office boy went to the head nurses desk and asked:
 Where's the main guy?'
 Do you mean pr. Severn?"
 Yep"
 What do you want him forY
 His wife wants him."
 Miss Ashton called him. and he went