New Britain herald., 1927-01-08
NEA SERVICE nG,
WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE

The story then moves forward Il
 years. The twins. now growing tt beautiful womahhood. have beer
 adopted and named Margaret ant | Elizabeth. They are called Rusty anG
 Betty.
 Jim Elwell the son enlists in the
 World War. He then discovers tha, I one of the wins loves him. He is shell-shocked at the Battle
 of Sedan and at first is roprted dead l Finally, however, he Is identified in d New York hospital and his moth- CT and father see him and find he has completely lost his memory and speech. He is like living dead 1 man.
 At the hospital a celebrated brain specialist returns from Europe and examines Jim. He says an opera tion might prove fatal. Nurse Nei- lie Downing asks him why 1t is that music often stirs him to tears. NOW BEGIN THE STORY
 CHAPTER XXIN
 The doctor, after a minute, turned back to Nellie Downing. He was smiling.
 If I could answer those ques- tions. Miss Downing" he replied, with any degree of certainty, l might be able to tell you correctly what constitutes all the secret forces controlling the human brain. But that is something that no man knows and never will know. The omnipotent power that controls the vast workings of the universe guards his secrets too closely for the puny mind of man ever to find their roots."
 He laid his hand on Jim Elwelfs shoulder and locked long and deeply into his vacant eyes. When he turned away again it was with sigh. I've are so helpless he said. in the face of a puzzle like this
 MolIie ventured timidy to ask And is no operation possible at all without the danger of its <. being fatal? Not even to try to find out exactly what is the natter
 I'm afraid not" said pr. Lawson. I'm sorry. As l said before. with vour consent and advice I'd be will ing to operate. but I wouldn't an- swer for your boys life. I'm sorry, he said again.
 'sThere has been improvement Tn his condition" Prof Elwell told the surgeon. since he came here. Re- markable improvement. l think. When he first got here, am told, he was barely able to move around. Now he is able to feed himself and do all those things we've told you about. Music moves him to some kind of emotions. apparently! a2r II produces tears, as Miss Downing told you.
 "Another thing--he kisses his mother of his own volition now - here Nellie Downing blushed faintiy and avcfted her head-"and he can do things-lots of thing-after he sees us do them.
 What I'm trying to get at is this: Might not something have happened to his brain that maoe it just like inc brain of child? Just as child learns to walk and talk and think, might he not be able to regain his lost faculties by degrees? DO you suppose that is possible - that it is possible for him to keep on improv- ing like that?"
 Until he is normal again?' asked Dr. Lawson.
 "Yes"
 The surgeon shook his head. I'm afraid not. A child's brain is unde- veloped but sound. This boys brain, apparently, is damaged. It is pre- vented from functioning as it should function. should say that if your boy gets well it will be through an operation or
 "Or what?" asked Prof.
 "Or the grace of God"
 "He said about what l thought he would say" was Nellie Downing's opening remark to Prof and Molhe Elwell when the surgeon had left.
 And you probably noticed" she went on, that he didn't commit himself any in saying 1t, either. Really he told us nothing--or very little-that we didn't already know. With all their study and research and practice, in the final summing up of things they don't know very much, after all.'
 Prof Elwell nodded gravely.
 "Well, anyway" said his wife with decision, "an operation is out of the question. While there is life there is hope, and if they operated on Jim and killed him that would be ;le end. Pve known what it is to believe him dead and l know what it is to have him as he is now. I'd rather a million times over have him as he is now than not have him at all
 You bet." her husband agreed chance. But dead, he hasn't chance in the world. I've never beer dead yet, but I'm pretty sure about that. And perhaps when we get hin, back home with the old familiar 1 sights and faces and everythirv, his 1 may come back 10 him | finally. Not right away-not for q ong time, maybe-but some day."
 But you won't be taking him hat is. you're not thinking of re- urning at once, are you?" asked !. Nellie Downing. and there was in her tone, it seemed to Hollie Elwell, that was more than ust professional interest.
 Well, that, of course, is up to Molie.' he told her As far as I'm I'd just as soon stay here mother week. What do you say, my to Mollie-'shall we ,reak up housekeeping now or wait few days?"
 Mollie tapped her lips collectively. Which was the wiser thing to do? Return with Jim immediately or wait another week?
 But then, she asked herself. what ,artieulor differancp did if ,,oalyoo IT |