Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1914-08-29
WhenD
Was Sweet
Her Dream Became a
Reality
3, ETHEL JAMES coANE


get INTO his phncton one " the intcrncs
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 aud turned around
Il don't know anything about the
case Where IS Arnold
Hes Ind m accident ana can't
come
The doctor mcdi,ated minute or
two. then went buck ~ the hospital
steps
\ 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 rs they lifted her to the table
AZ Severn began 10 operate he laid
his fingers for an instant on her wrist
then made the nclSion for straight
laparotomy In his movements there
was no haste
II have my doubts about this case"
he said coolly as the flesh parted IN
der his steady blade
The assistant noticed a puzzled look
on the surgeons face as he hesltated
In selecting an instrument A hush
fell, for he was feeling his way eau
tiously
The patients breathing was slow and
lnl 81, To- a
body quvcred with each respiration
Let up on the ether" Dr Severn
commanded
Silently he picked instrument after
instrument from the tray offered him.
The work began In earncst-slow.
cautious work-till the perspiratlon
stood In great drops on the surgeons
forehead. aud the clinic nurse Ind n
white line around her mouth
Then suddenly. as II the silence were
a loud report. they perceived that the
patient had ceased breathing The sur.
gcOn spoke one word
"Alr"
A nurse opened the window. the
anaesthetist laid aside the cap. and.
without letting 20 the ligamept 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 IL no accounting. she opened her
eyes. looking full at the surgeon. who.
with look Of horror that turned his
face ashcn and drew dark circles m
derneath his eyes. looked nj her
In dash the anaesthctist pvt the cap
back and sprinklcd ether, but the sur
ceon stood ~ II frozen.
dark eyed nurse who had been
standing apart with bandages stepped
softly TO DR. Sevcrn's side and. holding
a glass to his lips. said;
Drink
When the operation was finished and
the orlerlies came 10 carry the patient
back TO her room the surgeon brushed
them aside and lifted her on 10 the
stretchcr As he stood after they had
gone his assistant said:
Il thought you were going to dunk
Did you tumble that artery badlyT
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.
"llow is 40 20f" he asked
Coming ont all right, doctor"
rs any one watching herr"
81 have Just come from there. She
is quiet"
Il want 10 watch II is n critical
case he said rs he entered room
No 20
on the high cot the patient lay.
breathing painfully, moaning from time
10 time and mnttering incohercntly
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 | do" he replied But
don't want this patient left alone Has
she special nurse?'
No
Then can you spare that little dark
nurse who was IN the operating
ROOM"
Miss Ashton rang her bell
Ask 10 have Mrs Howell sent up 70
take charge OF No 20, She said 10 the
office boy.
As they crossed the court TO the
nurses dining nan Miss Ashton noticed
the drawn hook on the doctors face.
When he got back the Nurse was
bathing the patients face When she
went ont nc opened the blinds and
carefully studied every feature.
That night ne rested ON sofa in
me end ~ the corridor Toward morn
ng hr heard Two nurscs chatting
"Dr severn Is asleep 90 TIE Sofa by
The sun room one said You know
ne did Aru"ds op TODAY They say
Il was hari one. and he, afraid she's
going to IL. then Arnold ~ nave one
On him
"GonI' ! hone she will I ike Dr