The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-12

which mis- son was lying, racked with
fever. and delirious, upon bed.
He must be moved ut once" said
the doctor. Il am going to take him
away to the hospital in my automo-
bile"
II was all he could nerve himself to
do to utter the words. for . son. even
though lost for years. 10 stu . SON
at least, to most Of us.
Wrapped in rugs the patient was
transferred to the automobile, which
made its way at . slow pace into the
suburban district where the doctor
lived
The story that Mildred told was .
painful one For years her husband
had been working for the company;
he had started at the bottom and was
just getting fair salary when he was
attacked by a. mysterious disease
After q months absence he mad lost
his position; that was two months
ago, and the disease which no doctor
could diagnose. had made inroads upon
his system until his life seemed about
ended.
But this isn't the way to the hos
pital!" she exclaimed. as the machine
turned INTO q pretty lane and stopped
before q comfortable-looking house.
1T IL my house-my private hos
pital," answered the doctor.
And half an hour later Harold was
comfortable in bed and feebly con-
scious.
He looked up and recognized the
, face Of his father. Now. according to
all rules OF literature, father and son
ought to have fallen into each others
arms. But oddly enough, the moment
his son recognized him the doctor felt
the old pride tie his tongue and re-
strain the hands that were so anxious
! to enfold the young mans.
you told me never to let you see
me again." said Harold weakly. and
; tried to keep my promise"
"You are here as patient. Mr.. Car
ter" answered the doctor. you owe
me no gratitude; 1t is my duty to heal
with all the means in my power"
The young man averted his face. He.
too. had pride.
Nevertheless. IN the days that fol.
lowed the doctor found It dimcult to
conceal the love that came into his
heart. Mildred was just the little
daughter.in.law that he had always
pictured to himself. And little Harold,
blissfully unconscious Of anything but
loving kindness, was creeping into his
heart daily more and more until 1t
seemed impossible that he could ever
let him 60.
And, despite his years Of practice.
the doctor was unable to diagnose his
sons disease until the famous ply
sician for whom he had sent to New
York came down and saw him.
! 1t was q very rare disease, hardly
known in America, and. until recently
incurable. There was remedy now;
it consisted in an extremely dimcul'
operation. Only five cases were on
record where the operation had been
performed; three had died, two had
recovered completely.
Mildred, standing dry-eyed beside
the famous physician. listened to hi
explanation. Doctor Carter turned t
her.
my DEAR" he said softly-he hat
never called her that before-"the de
cision rests with you"
Operate" said Mildred firmly.
And an hour later the house wa
filled with the fumes Of the anesthetic
Doctor Carter could not bring himsel
at the last moment to assist. He ha'
sent instead for an anesthetist from
the city hospital.
Little Harold, dimly conscious tina
some terrible issue was at stake, clunl
to his mother, whimpering, in the dot
tors office. Doctor Carter paced t
and fro distractedly. An hour ha
Q passed since the operation began. an
t still the house was filled with thos
q nauseating fumes. At last he entere
9 the room softly. The operating ply
y stefan looked at him and shook hi
/ head.
Doctor Carter, very grave, yer
. white, went slowly downstairs IN
n shut himself in little room. He knee
what that look meant, he who ha
t. seen 1t 80 often in the hospitals. HI
o sons chances of recovery were hop
D. less. In that moment the remnants {
y his pride fell from him like tattere
n garment. He went out into the ONO
again.
D. Mildred" he said, III Harold lives
10 want him to come back to me. l wal
9. you all to be my children. want m
10 son TOTO forgive"
Il Nobody knew the effort it cost hi
it to utter that last word. Mildred locke
in at him speechlessly. She understood
y, the meaning Of his words.
,e Suddenly there was q fresh drift I
II. ether fumes through the house as Il
ID door upstairs was opened. Carte
heard the operating doctor come dow
,e the stairs. With one arm supportir
lg Mildred he braced himself to bear Il
lg news he feared.
ne The doctor came up to him. I'VE
o. Carter. ii was touch and 60 more ths
i'd once-but he will live now" he said
re "Live!" In an instant the old m,
IN had caught up little Harold upon h
hi shoulder And. as the child Groom,
joyfully. and Mildred wept tears
on happiness. he knew that he, too. VI
he just beginning to live.
"a
en- Words and War.
You Americans are always talkil
lid about dollars and cents" said the v
4 L tto, from, ahrooA