The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1915-04-01

the voice was tremulous. "Oh, sir,
do hope you don't think I sent-sent
Harold" she began.
ITO see me! No, I haven't dared -
hope that" answered the doctor. Z
have simply come to see patient"
Silently the girl opened the house
toor and the doctor ascended the
stairs until he came to the room IN
which his son was lying, racked with
fever and delirious, upon q bed.
HE must be moved at once" said
the doctor. Il am going to take him
away to the hospital in my automo-
bile"
It was all he could nerve himself to
do to utter the words, for son, even
though lost for years, Is still SON
at least, to most Of us.
Wrapped in rugs the patient was
transferred to the automobile, which
made It's way at q slow pace into the
suburban district where the doctor
lived.
The story that Mildred told wss .
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 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 inroads upon
his system until his life seemed about
ended.
But this isn't the way to tho hos
pital!" she exclaimed, as the machins
turned into . pretty lane and stopped
before q comfortable-looking house.
1T is my house-my private hos
pital," answered the doctor.
And half IN hour later Harold waa
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 we're SO anxious
to enfold the young mans.
you told me never to let You see
mo again." said Harold weakly, and
I tried to keep my promise"
you are here as Q patient Mr.. Car
ter" answered the doctor. You owo
mo 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 1t difficult 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 go.
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.
It was q very rare disease, hardly
known in America, and, until recently,
incurable. There was remedy now;
It consisted in an extremely difficult
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 bis
exclamation. Doctor Carter turned to
her.
my dear" he said softly-he had
never called her that before-"the DE-
eision rests with you"
Operate" said Mildred firmly.
And an hour later the house was
filed with the fumes Of the anesthetic.
Doctor Carter could not bring himseA
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, clung
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 phy-
sician looked at him and shook his
head.
Doctor Carter, very grave, very
white, went slowly downstairs and
shut himself in little room. He knew
what that look meant, he who had
seen it 80 often in the hospitals. His
sons chances of recovery were hope
less. In that moment the remnants or
his pride fell from him like tattered
garment. He went out into the once
again.
Mildred" he said, "if Harold lives +
want him to come back to me. l want
| ~, =. IN n,y nbildren 7 want my