Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-21

careers as doctors Kitty Arm
strong said she would marry
the one who cured her first illness.
We both specialized in eye surgery.
and here is Kitty blind after motor
smash and her recovery rests Win
us"
DR.. Elman Travers looked with
little repugnance at his companion 3
SCARED and ruined face. Fate surely
had played it's tricks with DIR. Carter
Bridges: an exploding test tube had
splattered acid upon his right cheek
and marked it hideously. Bridges had
once been a handsome man. but now
the only likable feature in his face
was his eyes--kind. gray. smiling. He
had just that day returned from
Vienna, where he had taken surgical
studies similar to those that Travers
had made at Hopkins.
II do not think we can hold Kitty
to her bargain now. Elman," SAID
Bridges. His fingers touched the raw.
red marks upon his face. His voice
trembled a little with emotion. Kitty
has not seen me--does not know about
this horror that has come upon me.
A year ago. when / was home last, l
thought / stood a good chance with
her. I worked like a fiend that l
might excel in the profession for her
sake. 1t would make her happy to
see me succeed. I was in the race
with you, Travers She would have
chosen one of US this Summer, but
now"
Elman Travers. practiced in hypoc-
risy, did not show the exultation that
made his heart leap. He, too. was a
good man in his profession. Even If
it were Carter who accomplished the
hyper-delicate task of giving Kitty
Armstrong back her power of vision.
she would not marry man so hide
Gus. nor would Carter. he knew. ex-
pect that sacrifice of her.
THE operation must take place to-
morrow morning." said Travers. You
will go to see her this afternoon.
Carter? She knows you were to come
today. She spoke of you" He leaned
forward in his chair and rested a
slim hand on Carriers knee 'I asked
her to marry me after she was cured.
She spoke of you then and recalled
her bargain. Whoever cures her gets
her. Now which of US is to perform
the operation"
"It does not matter greatly" re-
turned Bridges, voicing Travers' own
thought. II could not, even IL / were
the one who cured her. claim her love.
She could not care for me-"
Travers feigned disapproval. mon
sense! Tonight we shall draw lots to
see which of us does the operating.
Our skill is about even, fancy. and
our knowledge much the same"
But Carter Bridges shook his head.
NO" he said. 1T Is up to you, FL
man. / withdraw from the pact. II
Kitty were to be always blind. why
then should ask her to marry me;
otherwise no"
"As you WILL" shrugged Travers.
That afternoon Bridges sat by Kit
tvs chair in the white, clean-smell-
ing room of the Memorial Hospital.
Her hand was in his. for if Kitty IA
vored either of her lovers. Carter was
the favored one.
They sat for a long time unspeak-
ing. Carter thanked God that she
could not see his blasted face. Her
fingers had caressed his hair and
touched his lips, but her fingers could
not tell her his ugliness. If only she
might be always blind! lie cursed
himself for the selfishness OF the
thought.
"Who is to operate on my eyes.
Carter. you or Elman?"
"E.naan Is going to operate, Kitty,
We settled that this morning"
She could not see the wretchedness
that dwelt in his eyes. He did not
observe the shadow Of sorrow that
fitted over her face. Elman Travers
was a handsome man, weather., more
popular than Carter-surely the more
to be preferred asa husband.
$50 it zig to be Elman." sighed the
blind girl. "And il I see by his hand.
then l must marry him..
IF you love him."
Love? / have always tried to md
out which Of you two want. l have
not succeeded. I care for you both.
/ love you both. This must decide.
If Elman fails, you have your chance.
If both fail, I could not, Of course. ex-
pect either Of you to marry IA
blind"
1t was a ray of hope for Carter
that possibility. He kissed her hand.
Tiff it fails, will you marry me.
Kit? / would care for you tenderly;
would never leave your side. Blind.
ness would make you no less lovely
Indeed, it would keep you always with
me and I would not be jealous, as
surely would if you had eyes to look
at some one else"
She laughed happily, but said no.
1t was good to be loved like that.
Elman had not spoken so. He had
asked her to marry him when she was
cured.
"You will be here when Elman op-
erates?" she asked him.
yes, shall be here. Kitty, hoping.
praying that you may see again.
He was there the next morning be-
fore Elman Travers came. Travers
was late, and when, at few minutes
l. A6 rlarCetVa6
the reason for his hardness. Travers
had been indulging in narcotics-co-
caine, Carter suspected. His face was
white and drawn, his eyes hollow, his
hand uneasy.
can right, Carter" he called. you
get things ready. I'll do the job"
Carter looked at him in disgust. but
said nothing.
All was ready, Kitty, after speaking
bravely with them, lay still under the
anesthetic. Carter thought of rose
that has been plucked from its stalk
and laid on a butchers slab. Elman
look at her nervously and his hand
trembled among tools.
My God. I-I-cant do 1t. Carter!
l.
In an instant Bridges had thruct
him aside Deity, with the speed OF
lightning and the precision of ma
chine, he operated, replaced the BAN
dages and walked from the room.
Remember, Elman." he said. You
did the work She is going to marry
you. Her own honor would force her
to stick to the bargain. but she's not
going to have a face like mine to
brighten her in the mornings"
He did not speak Of the terrible
temptation that had come to him
while he worked--the temptation to
make her blind forever, that she might
be his. He had fought 1t and won.
She would see in a few days. and
rather than have her look upon his
Disagreement. Carter went away.
He went to hide himself until she
and Elman should be wed: then, per-
haps. he could face her and tell her
he was glad Of her happiness.