The Colorado statesman. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1895-1961, 1915-06-12

mans curse follow him. He turned
down side street toward his own
comfortable house.
Vane idolized his wife and child. II
was their only one, and there was not
likely to be another. His birth had
almost cost his wife her life. The lit
tie boy, seven years old, always ran
to meet his father on his return to
be taken up in his arms and kissed
and petted.
Today the boy was nowhere about.
He was wont to watch for his father
from the steps of the house. But he
was not on the steps, nor playing in
the hall when Vane let himself in with
his key. Instead, troubled woman
came toward him.
Cyrus, you must come to see Dicky
at once" she said. Il put him to bed;
he has been feverish all day, and-Oh,
Cyrus, he can't move his right arm"
Frantically Vane bounded up the
stairs. He rushed into the bedroom in
which the little boy was lying. One
glance at his face, and he flung him
self down beside the bed in an agony
of grief.
He rose to face his wife, who had
followed him. She read the verdict in
his eyes. She screamed and caught
at his arm just as the woman in the
street had done.
Cyrus! What is it? 1t isn't"
Yes" he said, bowling his head.
But 1t isn't the worst thing that could
befall him." he added. Many chill
dren make complete recovery from
1t; some, of course, are crippled,
but"
"Cyrusl What are you talking abouti
Only last night you were telling me
that you have discovered an absolute
cure. You said there was not the
slightest doubt about it,"
Dorothy"
Then how can you speak Of Grip
pies in connection with Dicky? Have
| you got the antitoxin with you or must
you go back to the laboratory. Oh
there must be no delay"
The man looked into her face be
wildered Had he never told herr
Hadn't she understood?
Il can't use it, Dorothy he moaned
sinking into chair.
| You mean it isn't for use?"
Yes. But it has to be proved. II
has to justify it's use in thousand
cases. Humanity l am sure, but NOR
ally am not justified until am scien
tifically sure"
She was shaking him by the arm
as he stammered out his explanation
Cyrus! What are you talking about:
Don't you see that Dicky has infantile
paralysis, and don't you know that this
is not the time to argue? Get the
| serum!"
Listen, Dorothy" said Cyrus Vane
rising and going up to her. TRY te
understand me. A doctor may moi
think of persons. He works only fol
the race. Today poor woman asked
| me for some of the serum for heI
child. refused. 1t was dying, and i,
died later. She caught me by the arm
in the street and asked me to save he1
other child. / refused"
You refused? My God, are you go
ing to let Dicky die?"
They were face to face with the is
no relenting upon her own. Relent.
He might as well have argued with {
stone. From the bed came a feeble
wall. Vane started and turned TOWARD
it.
I'm SO hot!" walled the boy. "Ant
can't raise my right arm, daddy"
The mans face was working convul
sively. His wife caught him by the
hands; she sank to her knees ant
pleaded wildly with him.
You're going to murder Dicky TO
science, them" she asked. mo, Cy
rus, you can't Don't you see how bru
tai it is? If science demands that i
is devil. You must save him"
At that moment there came tn
sounds of alteration outside. A strug
gle, the door was burst open, ant
the woman who had pleaded witt
Vane in the street appeared, breaking
away from the butler, who tried t,
hold her.
Doctor Vane!" she cried, flingint
herself upon her knees also and ex
tending her hands. My boy is dying
You can save him. You are going t.
save him-you must. Otherwise yor
will carry the brand of Cain on you
forehead for the whole of your life"
Vane looked haggardly at the two
women, then at the child on the bed
IF / do this my professional future
is sacrificed" he said. Il am out o.
the ranks of the experimenters. No
body will have faith in me. 1t is 6
breach of duty. IL"
Daddy, won't you please make me
well?" pleaded the childish voice.
Vane hesitated a moment longer;
then bowed his head and hurried from
the room. He knew that the cry OF
his blood had proved more potent
than duty. He knew that his WORK
was ended. He had played false with