The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-02

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 well 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
| to him to be seated.
I'VE can't let you go from US like
this" he said. Won't 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 | 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 IAN inscrutable express
sion.
You were operating surgeon in a
New York hospital two years ago.
continued Mr. Parsons. "One day you
had the duty of removing patients
eve. When the bandages were taken
off it 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 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 nigh
have happened to any. Yes, all tina
you have said is true. never knew
how | had come to make the blunder
But | left New York and came to thi
little village, hoping to forget tn
past, and live it down at least, thougl
| knew l could never forget"
THAT, too, was creditable."
MAY | ask why you have invest
gated this natter" demanded Haynes
Have | ever wronged you"
81 have investigated it," returne
the banker. because ! came to TIL
% conclusion that you might have bee
mistaken. Who told you you ha
n Numbered? My dear fellow, it was NJ
e true; It was a joke. a CHASTITY medic'
v Joke such as the doctors at hospital
ID play upon young surgeons. They trie
" to find you. but they failed. And yo
d had hidden your tracks too well"
g Haynes stared at linn as if he coul
N not understand. The banker went
the door and called hts chauffeur.
e, Here is your patient" he said,
t. the man came in. Perhaps you re
e. ognize each other now?'
III And he went softly out, drawing h
he chauffeur after him. He entered h
as library, but he knew that Haynes ar
#, Gladys were together, and that Il
wrong and shame had been forgotte
y in their happiness.