The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-07-01

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she was lying on tho bed asleep inia
pose that was characteristics Of her.
her hands crossed upon her breast;
but eren 90, he had almost 10 look
twice TO make sure that Il was really
she. 10 pale and emaeisted did she
look.
The noise OF his entrance had ;awaks
onod her, however, and she opened her
eyes 70 stare half lincred ulouslys I mo.
ment. Then, With 0 Glad little cry,
she aprans up and came toward him.
Good hoavenslS You are !fllls he en-.
claimed. Why didn't you lot me
know? .. 3
WELL I didn.t want 70 spoil your va
cation, = she painted.
4 am going 70 examine you for
everything from elephantiasis to
housemaid's knee
But all the time that he was apply
ing the stethoscope and putting he,
through various tests he was gripped
with chill knowledge Of the truth
There was but one hope for her-the
Billiard operation.
I'm going to send you over to the
hospital. my dear, 2 he added lightly
IAN old family doctor would probably
order flannel bandage on you and
dose you up with prescriptions, but
there's condition I have found which
1t seems to me can be reached better
by the knife than anything else.r
AN operationi" She looked up al
him and paled slightly. "oh, George.
Is 1t serious?"
mot in the least, with a man who
understands his business. / shall wire
for Doctor Dayie of Baltimore" nam.
ing an eminent specialist.
He dispatched q telegram to Mrs.
Sands resigning his position in con.
nection with the new hospital.
Two days later. within an hour Of
the time set for the operation. and
Just as he himself was about to start
for the hospital, Sylvia walked into
his Office.
Doctor" she said, plunging into her
subject before she even stopped to un.
loose her furs. I'VE Just simply can't
let that resignation OF yours stand. and
no personal question between you and
myself can be allowed to serve as o
reason for It"
Then he told her gravely OF his
wite's serious illness and of the ex.
actions which her convalescence would
place upon him.
"oh, I nm sorry!" She spoke with
every manifestation of shocked regret.
She rose as she spoke. gathering up
her muff from the table where she had
laid It. But as she moved toward the
door she turned as II on sudden i'm.
pulse.
Listen, DOCTOR" she said, why
make this thing so conclusive? You
say that after Mrs. Bullard has suffl.
GENTLY recovered you want to take her
to California for four or Ave months.
Very well. do SO; but that is no valid
reason for you to give up your post
with the hospital"
He hesltated moment; then he
shook his head.
"oh, George" she pleaded; twining
her arms about him, ~ can give you
all the world, I can make you the
greatest surgeon Of your generation
Don't let yourself be led into such a
sacrifice. Don't stand by decision
that you will repent all tho days OF
your life. Come to me! See! am ut
terly abusing my pride. Come to me,
when you will. how you will; only
promise that you will come. You can't
let yourself sink to level such as
this" She swept the small office with
q gesture. Then-her head was
against his breast, the delicate per.
fume she exhaled rose to his nostrils.
and with 1t the old infatuation which
he thought he had cast of swept over
him like wave. His arms frightened
about her, and with a half articulate
tumble Of words he kissed her passion.
ately.
The moments passed UNDECIDED.
Time was forgotten. Then their
oblivion was broken in on by the Jan.
Cling staccato Of the telephone bell.
With low. startled exclamation.
Billiard stood back from tho woman
and shot quick, inquiring glance at
the clock. It was fifteen minutes past
the hour set for the operation.
Again the telephone rang; but he
made no move to touch 1t. only staring
at 1t dumbly, apprehensively, as II
fearful Of the message that It bore. AT
last, though, he forced himself with
an effort to pick up the instrument
from the desk and lift the receiver
from the hook.
Nothing done YETI" Mrs. Sands
heard him repeat In surprise. "She re-
fuses to go on the table, you say, until
I get there?"
He paused q moment, then added:
VERY we'll, tell her I'll come at once"
And setting down the telephone he
caught up his greatcoat and hat. strug
Cling into the sleeves Of his coat be
3erked quick direction over his Shout
der to Mrs, Sands. "Wait here until ]
set back. / must have Q talk with
you" Then he hurried out.
II. .n.,...4 A. S,.-, a.,