Evening star., 1932-07-24


seemed man cut from steel, save for his eyes
brown eyes, somber now with weary speculation.
"Well?" echoed the younger man. There "
IF he sticks the night it's a record
"A record-yes. Poor deTil
DIR. Mayer looked up from the notes in his
solid young man, handsome. in a blunt nervee
wide-open eyes. at once visionary and a little
seemed centered in his hands-the hands of
master musician or g. master surgeon.
'1t's a gruesome business, I'll warrant you."
he said. "but'-the pale eyes gseWed-"n he
weathers the next r. hours. DIR Bentham-
think what it means for the future"
His future?" DIR. Bentham spoke gently "Is
it your opinion that such a future as his will
be desirable cousummation- manned gripped
to the end by grinding periods Of pain-or at
best, partially paralyzed?"
Il was tlInkng-' began the younger man
stifny.
"Of the future of science To be sure"
The old surgeon still brooded over his gloves
Another triumphant proof that human life
can be prolonged beyond the limits Of human
possibilities-and endurance. After all, that Is
the goal Of our efforts, is it not?"
We'll, if it isn't-?"
What is? God knows! I used to think
did A strange conundrum, isn't it9 II life
is of the enormous importance we assume it to
be, what becomes of it when it-eludes us?
DO you know, Mayer, time and again. after
have worked my heart out, in van-I have
stood by some burnt-out- OF human
body, taunted by definite sense of-a mocking
prescence-sometning that is free. triumphant
at having escaped, lingering near me as if for a
good laugh-at my expense. :. Can 1t, after
ife2' life nave '@e'' laughing ~ Us A'' '''eSe years
Sorry. ! don't quite follow Dr. Mayors
stiff smile did not hide his chagrin Il am not
a rnetaphysician- dull. commonplace
saWbones.
Quickly DR.. Bentham looked up and placed
a hand on his shoulder.
Don't misunderstood my boy You have
done magnificent piece of work. I don't know
another who could have done it. Just now I am
too tired perhaps, to be quite 1ucd-but am
Unfortunately proud of you. Besides, it is your
case
The young surgeon grinned ruefuy.
ITO tell the truth, wouldn't give whoop
for what I've been abe to do, if it weren't for
his bulldog spirit behind it,
You mean-he wants to live?" DR.. Bent
hams kind eyes were incredulous. The other
considered, his brow wrinkled in frown.
mo, I shouldn't say that He knows what
he's up against. We haven't fooled him bit.
No. For some reason he feels that he has to
live.
And that, Miss Restroom" he turned to the
waiting nurse, "is what We must not allow him
to forget. Thank God We'll get a break, with
you the case! That weak sister coming of
has done more harm than good, I'm afraid
LAS bad possible he told her little i'm
portantly. Internal injuries He'll
never walk alone. Evidently been an active fell
low, too; body Of an athlete at 60-odd. How
ever, hope he'll be good for some time, if we
can keep his fighting blood up for another trip
to the table tomorrow That's your job
Il see" said the girl quietly.
"I hope so. I'm off to Greensburg on the
next tra1n-consultation-an Dr.. Bentham is
worn out. For the next II hours the case is
yours. Watch, the heart. I'll call up when
get a minute '. Oh, and here's pleasant
thought to dwell on-he doesn't respond to
opiates
He detailed his instructions briefly, caught
up his bag and hurried off down the hall
THE girl squared her slender shoulders, and
turned with gallant lift of her head to-
ward the door of Number II.
If Christine Restrom had any doubts as to
what she was facing, she understood when she
stepped into the darkened room Grace Brown,
the nurse she was to relieve, almost stumbled
to meet her, her face white with strain, her
hands shaking
"Gosh, Restroom I thought you'd never
GOMEZ" she quavered. Then with q glance
toward the bed. Hes quiet for the moment;