Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1926-12-03

at 10 my house-my private hos
pital," answered the doctor.
And half an hour later Harold was
comfortable In bed and feebly con-
ecious.
He looked up and recognized the
face Of bis father. Now, according to
all rules Of literature, father and son
ought to have fallen into each others
arms But, oddly enough. the moment
his son recognized him the doctor felt
the old pride tie his tongue and re-
strain the hands that were so anxious
to snfold the young mans.
You told me never to let you see
me again." said Harold weakly. "and
tried to keep my promise"
you are here as patient Mr.. Car
ter" answered the doctor. You owe
me no gratitude 1t is my duty to heal
with all the means In my power"
The young man averted his face. He,
too. had pride.
Nevertheless, In the days that fol-
lowed the doctor found 1t difficult to
conceal the love that came into his
heart. Mildred was just the little
daughter-in-law that he had always
pictured to himself And little Harold,
blissfully unconscious Of anything but
loving kindness, was creeping into his
heart daily more and more until 1t
seemed impossible that he could ever
let him 60.
And, despite his years of practice,
the doctor was unable to diagnose his
sons disease until the famous ply
sician for whom he had sent to New
York came down and saw him.
1t was a very rare disease, hardly
known In America, and, until recently,
incurable. There was a remedy now;
1t consisted In an extremely dif1cult
operation. Only FIVE cases were on
record where the operation had been
performed; three had died. two had
recovered completely.
Mildred, standing dry-eyed beside
the famous physician. listened to his
explanation. Doctor Carter turned to
her.
MY dear" he said softly-he had
never called her that before-"the de-
cislon rests with you"
Operate" said Mildred firmly.
And an hour later the house was
filled with the fumes of the anesthetic.
Doctor Carter could not bring himself
at the last moment to assist He had
sent instead for an anesthetist from
the city hospital.
Little Harold, dimly conscious that
some terrible issue was at stake, chung
to his mother, whimpering Doctor
Carter paced to and fro distractedly.
An hour had passed since the opera
ton began, and still the house was
filled with those nauseating fumes At
last he entered the room softly. The
operating physician looked at him and
shook his head.
Doctor Carter, very grave, very
white, went slowly downstairs and
shut himself In little room. He knew
what that look meant, he who had
seen 1t so often In the hospitals. His
sons chances Of recovery were hope
less. In that moment the remnants Of
his pride fell from him like a tattered
garment. He went out into the office
again.
Mildred" he said, IF Harold lives |
want him to come back to me. want
you all to be my children. l want my
son toto forgive"
Nobody knew the effort 1t cost him
to utter that last word Mildred looked
at him speechlessly. She understood
the meaning of his words.
Suddenly there was fresh drift OF
ether fumes through the house as the
door upstairs was opened Carter
heard the operating doctor come down
the stairs With one arm supporting
Mildred he braced himself to bear the
news he feared
The doctor came up to him. well
Carter, 1t was one of the very yors
cases-but he will live now" he said
Liver In an instant the old mar
had caught up little Harold upon hi.
shoulder. And. as the child crooneC
joyfully, and Mildred wept tears OF
happiness, he knew that he, too. wa,
just beginning to live.