The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1925-12-03
Copyright by w. G. Chapman)

The whistling ceased.
us that the doctor?"
A younger mans voice answered
"Tll see.'
Bertram moved toward the stair
way.
Above, over the banister, peered 8
youthful face, topped by sleek blond
hair, parted in the middle.
you're Doctor Darandr'
EYES,"
"Come right up
The stairway was rather dark, Der
tram thought, as he ascended. The
only light came from dim windows
below.
Bertram crossed to door which
stood half ajar, knocked and walked
into wide front room, well lighted
by three windows. He found his pa
tent alone, pacing back and forth.
Harper Cotton was large man,
with something Of tendency to
waistline.
AS he came forward, there was a
distinct nervousness in his manner.
Morning, DOCTOR" he said huskily,
and cleared his throat.
Cotton did not offer to shake hands.
Once more he cleared his throat; and
as the doctor met his gaze the pale
blue eyes shifted uneasily.
"Iuh-you may think It's funny
I'm up and around, but they-they tell
me I'm bad ofc-even If I don't look
It,"
"Tell me-" said Bertram, wondering
at the mans strange uneasiness Of
manner, why you're worried about
yourself?'
"I'll tell you.' Cotton cleared his
throat. IA serious thing-a mighty
serious thing for man in my posi-
ton, doctor, happened to me last
month. I applied for hundred thou
sand life insurance and got turned
down fiat. Now you know what it
means to get black-listed by life in
surance companies; it means you're
finished If you ever want insurance
again. You can't get 1t; and 1t looks
bad-awfully bad for man In my
position. Now, doctor, you're not only
doctor but you're in with big, influ-
entail business men who just about run
insurance companies. They'll do q
thing for you, as friend, that they
won't do for an outsider"
mot good insurance company"
Bertram denied.
Quite mechanically Bertram brought
out a stethoscope and went through
the routine of listening to Colton's
heart and lungs
He was lifting his head from Col
tons chest when he became aware
that the mans attention was not upon
this examination of himself; lie app
peared to be listening. Curious, Ber-
tram himself listened. A telephone
bell rang somewhere below it ceased
and a voice, which Bertram thought
was that Of the negro houseman,
called: ''Mr. Severson! Telephone,
Mr. Severson!'
Coming, Fred; thanks!" acknowl-
edged the gay voice of Billy Severson,
and door down the hall banged.
Billy Seyerson came in a hurry,
whistling; Bertram heard him run to
the top Of the stairs; then heard:
THAT damn rug! Oh-Ah-God!" A
thump, tumble, crash, fall; and
the gay voice was STILL
Bertram felt himself seized and
held. ''The boys fallen" said Cotton
hoarsely.
Bertram said: "He may have hurt
himself"
Cotton strobe out Of the room, Ber-
tram following, and across the dark
hall to the head of the stairs. He
leaned over the banister. 'Billy!" he
called. ooh, Billy
Doctor Darand found himself gazing
down the polished steps to pattern
of light at the bottom where young
man in gray clothes lay sprawled on
the floor. He hurried down and or
dered the lad placed on couch.
Hastily Bertram knelt and began
his examination He heard Cotton
he supposed it was Cotton, but did
not look up-coming down the stairs.
"Billy!'' gasped Cotton when he was
down. "Billy ~ And to Bertram he
appealed hoarsely: Doctor, he amt
deadI Tell me he amt deadl''
Hes not dead" said Bertram and
himself breathed freer for 1t.
"Will he die?"
81 don't know"
"Why don't you known"
81 DON'T" replied Bertram patiently.
"He's fractured his skull. OF
course he's unconscious, you see; but
he's living. Where's the telephoneF
"Telephone?' repeated Cotton.
81 want an ambulance at once"
Bertram explained. "We must take
him to hospital as soon as possible"
Cotton seemed to arouse at the
word. "Hospital?" he repeated
hoarsely. 81 guess not. Hospitals a
place where people die. / want that
boy to get well. He stays here. doc
tor! I"
"His only chance" said Bertram,
SIS hospital and the best brain man
Il mean a surgeon who specializes
on the brain-we can gel"
"You mean, you don't dare do 1t
here doctorT Cotton challenged.