The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-06-08

But this plan went agley, for, while
the banker was absent in New YORK
Mrs. Parsons was taken seriously Ill.
and Doctor Haynes received an i'm
perative call. 1t was a case which he
could not have refused, apart from
Gladys urgent pleading over the wire.
The illness, which was short, proved
desperate one nevertheless. The
doctor and Gladys were thrown con-
stantly together. The girl proved an
admirable nurse, neither left the sick
room for more than a few moments
for three days and nights.
Her mother was pronounced out OF
danger before Gladys even thought OF
the intimacy that seemed suddenly to
have been restored between them.
And on the fourth day Mr.. Parsons
came home. The telegram had fol-
lowed him from city to city, finally
catching him in Pennsylvania.
He brought with him a chauffeur, a
young, specialized man, whom he at
once installed in the house. And. hur-
rying to his wife's bedside, he found
her already convalescent.
Two days passed; then Haynes an
nounced that the crisis was we'll past,
and that his further attendance would
not be necessary. The banker was
then at his wife's bedside; Gladys
was out of the room, and as Haynes
started to leave the banker motioned
&c him to be seated.
eve can't let you go from us like
this" he said. Wont you make US
an explanation
"Of what?" asked Haynes quietly.
"Of your friendship for us, and its
sudden cessation
81 have nothing to explain" said
Haynes, striving to retain his SELF
possession.
Then 1 will explain" the banker
answered, and at that moment his
daughter entered. GLADYS, please sit
down." he continued What | am go
ing to say is painful-but it is neces-
sary. Doctor Haynes, may say that,
having seen your university certifi-
cate in your Office followed that clue
and discovered certain facts"
Haynes, CHASTITY white, remained
leaning against the door, watching the
banker with AN inscrutable express
sion.
"You were operating surgeon in a
New York hospital two years ago,
continued Mr.. Parsons. Zone day you
had the duty of removing a patients
eye. When the bandages were taken
off 1t was found that the sightless eye
was left, the good eye removed"
Haynes bowed his head; the look OF
utter detection was pitiable. But he
never spoke.
"You gave up your practice" con-
tinued Mr.. Parsons. You turned over
all your savings to the man whom you
considered you had wronged. You
wrote him a letter stating that you
meant to pay him a fixed sum every
month for the remainder OF your life.
All this was highly creditable to you.
"Well?" queried Haynes, raising his
head and looking the banker in the
face for the first time. 1T has hap
pened to other surgeons; it might
have happened to any. Yes, all that
YOU have said is true. I never knew
how I had come to make the blunder.
But left New York and came to this
little village, hoping to forget the
past, and live it down at least, though
l knew l could never forget"
THAT, too, was creditable."
MAY l ask why you have investi-
gated this matter?" demanded Haynes.
Have | ever wronged you?"
81 have investigated it" returned
the banker, because I came to the
conclusion that you might have been
mistaken. Who told you you had
Numbered? My dear fellow, it was not
true: it was a joke, CHASTITY medical
Joke such as the doctors at hospitals
play upon young surgeons. They tried
to find you, but they failed. And you
had hidden your tracks too we'll"
HAYNES stared at him as If he could
not understand. The banker went 10
the door and called his chauffeur.
Here is your patient" he said, as
the man came in. Perhaps you rec
ognize each other now?"
And he went softly out, drawing his
chauffeur after him. He entered his
library, but he knew that Haynes and
Gladys were together, and that the
wrong and shame had been forgotten
in their happiness.