Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-04-22
SOWING SEEDS IN DANNY
BY NELLIE L. McCLUNC


and heavy with stale tobacco smoke
Tom sat down, wearily, in the doctor
5 armchair; his heart beat painfully
he'll be dead--henl be dead---he'll b.
{ dead--it was pounding. The clock OF
the table was saying Il, too. Tom go
up and walked up and down to drowr
the sound. He stopped before cabinet
and gased horrifed at human skeleton
that grinned cvilly at him. He opened
| the door hastily, the night wind fan
ned his face. He sat down upon tn,
, step, thoroughly sober now, but sick In
body and soul. .I
Soon heavS step sounded on III,
sidewalk, and the old doctor came into
the patch Of light that shone from the
do you want me?" he asked as Tom
! Yes" Tom answered; "as once"
WHAT'S wrong" the doctor asked
brusquely. ~" =.
Tom told him as we'll as he could.
evening 2'
Tom nodded.
Hurry up, then, and get your horse. :,
Office.
YES. thought So" the doctor said.
gathering up his instruments. II ought
70 know the signs-well, we'll, the poor
young Englishman has had plenty Of
time to die from 10 in the evening till
the next morning. without indecent
haste, either, while this young fellow
was hitting up the firewater. Still, God
knows, l shouldn't be hard on him.
I've often kept people waiting for the
same reason, and" he added. grimly,
they didn't always wait, either"
When Tom and the old doctor drove
into the yard everything was silent. The
wind had fallen and the eastern sky was
bright with morning.
The old dog which lay in front of the
granary door raised his head at their
approach and lifted one ear as IL to
command silence.
Tom helped the doctor out of the
buggy. He tried to unhitch the horse.
put the beating of his heart nearly
choked him-the fear Of what might be
In the granary. He waited for the ex-
clamation from the doctor which would
proclaim him murderer. He heard the
door open again-the doctor was com
ing to tell him--Tom's knees grew weak
he held to the horse for support
who was this who had caught his arm!
it was Pearl crying and lauging.
Tom, Tom, it's all over, and Ar
thurs going to get well," she whisper
ed. Doctor Clay came"
But Pearl was not prepared for what
happened.
Tom put his head down spon the
horses neck and cried like child
no, like a man-for in the dark and
terrible night that had just passed, sui
lied though 1t was by temptations and
Weddings and neglect of duty, the soul
OF man had been born in him, and he
had put away childish things forever.
Doctor Clay was kneeling in front
OF the box cleaning his instruments,
with his back toward the door. when
Doctor Barner entered. He greeted the |
older man cordially, receiving but
curt reply. Then the professional eye
OF the old doctor began to take in the |
a half-uscd roll of anti
septic lint lay on the floor the fumes
OF the disinfcctants and of the anes-
thetic still hung in the air. Toms de.
scription Of the case had suggested ap-
pendicitis.
What was the trouble?" he asked
quickly.
The young doctor told him, giving him
such thoroughly scientific history of
the case that the old Doctors opinion of
him underwent radical change. The
young doctor explained briefly what he
had attempted to do by the operation
the regular breathing and apparently
normal temperature of the patient was,
to the old doctor, sufficient proof of its
success.
He stopped suddenly to examine the
dressing that the young doctor was
showing him, but his face twitched with
some strong emotion-pride, profession
al Jealousy, hatred were breaking down
before stronger and a worthier feel
ng.
He turned abruptly and grasped the
voung Doctors hand.
CLAY" he cried, "it was a great
piece of work, here, alone, and by
amplight. You are brave man, and
honor you" Then his voice broke.
I'D give every day Of my miserable life
o be able to do this once more. Just
,ncc, but I haven't the nerve, Clay"
The hand that the young doctor held
rembled. II haven't the nerve. I've
,een going on a whisky nerve too long"
Doctor Barner," the young man re-
'lied, as he returned the others grip,
i thank you for your good words, but
wasn't alone when I did Il. The
'ravest little girl in all the world was
ere and shamed me out of my weak
less, and" he added reverently, "I
hink God Himself steadied my hand"
The old man looked up wondering.
II believe you, Clay" he said sim
ly.
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