Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1927-11-04
IN ROOM
NUMBER
THIRTY-EGnT
Is s. 3. wzi:h.5

II thirty-eight was already spread
ing through the Belvldere hos
pital. She was In her early thirtles,
dark hair, an olive skin, pale as death,
but 1t was beauty unadorned.
There was the operating room con-
ference with three Of the specialists
shaking their heads obviously. ut
can't be done," said DR.. Talbot, the
heart specialist, with emphasis, "That
bullet went through the heart and 10
now lodged in the back. To remove
1t would only mean death sooner. She
may linger hours In this stated" He
thus pronounced his verdict as final
and ordered the patient back to her
room.
DIR. Sanborn, the surgeon in charge,
was determined there should be last
effort made. He had an uncanny
friend who had trick of hauling
back hopeless, glven-up cases. He
stopped at the desk and commanded,
"Call the exchange and find out II you
can locate MacGregorw
After a few minutes the operator
had the information: "MscGrsgor last
reported at the Union club; but he
left there about 80"
"And it's 2 nowl" unused the doc
tor.
Tell Blaine and Sanderson to re-
port at oncel" commanded the sur
geon CURLY.
The two internes came almost i'm
medlately. Gaunt and tSll, they stood,
ready for orders. as would men Of
war.
Confidently and quietly he talked to
them Of the tragedy. "There is only
one man who can save her even by q
miracle; that Is MacGregor" He
talked quickly. HE was last seen at
the Union club. Look In at Schenley's
and along the docks; he has queer
ideas when he Is doped."
MacGregor left the apartment on
Spring street In a taxi shortly after
II, going directly to the Union club,
where he was reported to the ex-
change. For an hour he sat at q
small ebony table in a secluded corner
staring into space. He clutched the
slender table with his left hand, his
right hand on the glass; now looking
out Of the windows into the misty
April night, now half turning In his
chair, alert for some sound from the
entrance. Except for occasional in
Corners the lobby was empty. Mac
Gregor undoubtedly was sick man;
his pale face reflected a gauntness in
his shadow on the wall. "Gad, IL tine
room were only red or white-any-
thing but this CHASTITY gray" This
gray made him feel cold and sick; all
drawn out, as though his feet were out
In the street and cold; his head up
near the ceiling and dizzy with the
height Of It'll
1t was late, but he needed some of
the bracing air. Down the avenue he
went, mutterlng and arguing with him
self in q monotone. He could not re-
member distinctly just what It was he
should do or did do, but 1t was wrong.
He guessed he wouldn't do 1t. II he
could only think clearly enough to
remember. All, here was the river; he
would sit here perhaps the idea
would come to him; water was inspl-
rational. He sat on the edge Of
pier pillng. A small tug nosed sleep
lily against It. Mott wasn't trip
he should take or anything he should
get from the boat. A gunnysack
dropped from a higher piling to his
head. He brushed 1t lmpatiently into
the river and with It his soft hat. A
hat more or less meant little to him
as he waved 1t an Indifferent good-by.
The hat glided away from under the
light with a grace and ease Mac
Gregor envied. II only he could get
away as easily as that hat. He could
swim-yes, he would swim. With the
thought he pulled Off his oxf0rds and
coat, standing free In his shirt sleeves.
Az he gathered himself on the edge
of the pier bluecoat demanded:
"what are'you doing, my man"
"Have little swlml" said Mac
Gregor In the same monotone.
"And where are you swlmmin tor
inquired the officer.
Alp muttered the lone figure,
"but I'm goin' alonel'
"Guess you'll have to-" returned the
intruder, "but first you better come
with me-"
And so with Blaine and Sanderson
on their station trip, MacGregor ar
rived at Belvldere hospital at 4 In
the morning.
Sanbofn talked to him as only San
born knew how. After a half-hour
MacGregor was as DR.. Sanborn knew
he would be-ready to move the world.
A life to save and he the only one
who could do It; well he guessed he
could There was too much Mac
Gregor pride about him to refuse such
a thing as trying for a life! Yes, In
deed, he would try, especially II San
born thought he could do 1t.
Immaculate and white from head to
foot, he stood at the operating room
door. "YOu say murderT he querled
OF Sanborn.
"That or suicide; not sure which"
affirmed the surgeon.
"May / see the patientT again he
questioned.
"No, the anaesthetlc," answered the
surgeon anxlously. There Is no time
MacG:egor now was surgeon. A
touch 90 deft and sure that Sanborn
breathed sigh Of relief. The hesl-
tatlon, the GOODNESS, the stupor were