The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-04-19
he Doctor 5 I atie,lf
BY 4, N. EesERT.

EGGgzDzu- G.sd1Gs ware ins- G0cr6f
lived
The story that Mildred told WINS q
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 had lost
his position; that was two months
ago. and the disease. which no doctor
could diagnose, had made tnroads upon
his system until his Life seemed about
ended
%But this isn't the way to the hos
pita1!" she exclaimed. as the machine
turned into a pretty lane and stopped
before q comfortable-lookinSh house.
sit Is my house-my private hos
pital," answered the doctor.
And half an hour later Harold was
comfortable in bed and feehly 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
TIE old pride tie his tongue and re-
strain the hands that were so anxious
to enfold the young mans,
You told me meyer to let you see
me again." said Harold weakly, and
tried TO keep my promise"
You are here as patient, MT. Car
ter" answered the doctor. You owe
me no gratitude; it 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 difficult to
conceal the love that came into his
heart Mildred was Just the little
pictured to himself And little Harold,
blissfully unconscious of anything but
loving kindness, was creeping into his
heart daily more and more until it
seemed impossible that he could ever
let him go.
And, despite his years OF practice.
the doctor was unable to diagnose his
sons disease until the famous ply
stefan for whom he had sent to New
York came down and saw him.
1t was very rare diseass, hardly
known in America, and, until recently,
incurable. There was a remedy now:
1t consisted in an extremely difficult
operation. Only five cases we're 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 his
explanation. Doctor Carter turned to
her.
MY dear" he said softly-he had
never called her that before-"the de-
cision rests with you
Operate" said Mildred firmly.
And an hour later the house was
filled with the fumes of the anesthetic.
Doctor Carter could not bring himself
at the last moment to assist. He had
sent instead for an anesthetist from
the city hospital.
Little Harold, dimly conscious that
some terrible issue was at stake, chung
to his mother whimpering, in the doc
tors Office. Doctor Carter paced to
and fro distractedly. An hour had
passed since the operation began, and
still the house was filed with those
nauseating fumes. At last he entered
the room softly. The operating ply
stefan looked at him and shook his
head
Doctor Carter. very grave, very
white. went slowly downstairs and
shut himself in a little room. He knew
what that look meant. he who had
seen it so often in the hospitals. His
sons chances of recovery were hope
less. In that moment the remnants OF
his pride fell from him like tattereds
garment. He went out into the office
again.
.... .asi:Sired he said. :it Harold uISa I