The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-01-19

1 ~~~N3AD~O ~AN-~@ - 80
step on the stairs, and Doctor Ed made
haste to put away the last vestige Of
his little operation. Eds lapses from
surgical cleanliness were a sore tria
to the younger man, fresh from the
clinics Of Europe. In his downtown Of
fee, to which he would presently make
his leisurely progress, he wore white
coat, and sterilized things of which
Doctor Ed did not even know the
names.
Max paused at the Office door.
Eat 1t already" he said. "Or have
you been to bedY
'It's after nine," protested Ed mild.
ly. IF don't start early, never gel
through"
i Max yawned.
Better come with me-" he said. 1T
things go on as they've been doing, I'll
have to have an assistant. I'd rather
have you than anybody, Of course -
He put his 1.-THE surgeons hand on his
brothers shoulder. "Where would ]
be If it hadn't been for you? All the
fellows know what you've DONE"
In spite Of himself, Ed WINGED. 1t
was one thing to work hard that there
might be one success instead of two
half successes. 1t was different thing
to advertise ones inferiority to the
world. His sphere of the Street and
the neighborhood was his own. To
give 1t all up and become his younger
brothers assistant-even If 1t meant,
as it would, better hours and more
money-would be to submerge his
identity. He could not bring himself
to do 1t.
| IT guess I'll stay where am" he
said. sThey know me around here,
and know them. By the way, will
you leave this envelope at Mrs. Nc
KEGS? Maggie Rosenfeld is ironing
there today. It's for her,"
Max took the envelope absently.
you'll go on here to the end Of your
days, working for a pittance," he OBJ
jected. "Inside of ten years there'll
be no general practitioners; then
where will you be?"
"rll manage somehow" said the
brother placidly. 81 guess there will
always be a few that can pay my prices
better than what you specialists ask"
Max laughed with genuine amuse-
ment.
II dare say, If this is the way you
let them pay your prices"
He held out the envelope, and the
older man colored.
Very proud Of Doctor Max was his
brother, unselfishly proud, of his skill,
good manners; very humble, too, Of his
own knowledge and experience. If he
ever suspected any lack Of finer fiber
in Max, he put the thought away.
Probably he was too rigid himself.
Max was young, hard worker. He
had right to play hard.
He prepared his black bag for the
days calls-stethOscope thermometer,
eye-cup, bandages, case Of small walls,
lump Of absorbent cotton in a not
overfresh towel; in the bottom, a het-
erogeneous collection of instruments, a
roll Of adhesive plaster, bottle or
two of sugar-of-milk tablets for the
children, a dog collar that had be-
longed to a dead collie, and had got
in the bag in some curious fashion and
there remained.
He prepared the bag little nerv-
ously, while Max ate. He felt that |
modern methods and the best usage |
might not have approved Of the bag.
On his way out he paused at the din
ing-room door.
"Are you going to the hospital"
Operating at fOur-wish you could
come in."
"Pm afraid not, Max. I've promised
Sidney Pa1- to speak about her to
you. She wants to enter the training
school,"
"Too young" said Max briefly.
why, she can't be over sixteen"
"She's eighteen"
"Well, even eighteen. Do you think
any girl Of that age is responsible
enough to have life and death put in
Ter hands? Besides, although haven't
loticed her lately, she used to be
pretty little thing. There Is no use
illing up the wards with Hot of
1t keeps the internes all
tewed up" /.
"Since when," asked Doctor Ed mild
y, ''have you found good looks in a
;irl handicap?"
In the end they compromised. Max i,
would see Sidney at his Office. 1t
vould be better than having her run
cross the Street-would put things
n the right footing. For, If he did
ave her admitted, she would have to :
earn at once that he was no longer E
Doctor Max" that, as matter Of :
act, he was now staff, and entitled =
, much dignity, to speech without con- ;
addiction or argument, to clean tow =
Is, and deferential inferno at his .
bow. 4
Down the clean steps went Doctor s
lax that morning, big man, almost +
) tall as K. LIE Moyne, eager Of life, s
rong and a bit reckless, not fine, per- (
Ar~A III | -