The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-03-24
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"Mikew
Ellen leaned against the BAN
mister. Her heart seemed to stop.
Her brain everything seemed
to stop for a terrible, timeless mo-
ment.
Hes unconscious. They car.
ried him in our bedroom"
Myra was gone. Ellen ran up
the stairs and into the shabby
familiar living room filled with ST.
lent people, women In dust caps
and aprons, a few coatless per-
spring men. Mikes bicycle was
propped against the wall. They
were all looking at 1t.
TITS the other sister," Ellen
heard someone say.
Poor thing! Let her through.
Stirring, moving uneasily. they
made a path for her, all the cur.
ious, kindly neighborS but Ellen
did, not notice. She ran past
them to the bedroom. Mike lay
unconscious on the bed, Mrs
Clancy, concerned and anxious
was leaning over him. Molly raj
still and white in chair drawn
close. She did not move as Ellen
entered.
'oh, Ellen, it's you: I thought
Myra-" Mrs Clancy turned and
spoke quietly.
Ellen's breath came in great
gasps. She could not speak.
"Sit down."
The Irishwoman left the bed
and took her hands in an effort
to force her to "a chair. Ellen
leaned against her, spent, ex-
hausted, her eyes on the little mo-
tionless figure on the high white
bed.
What happened"
ut was the bicycle" said Mrs
Clancy patiently. AT Pine and
Chestnut. He was wheeling II
across when a truck. a big truck
he pused the bicycle clear but"
1.-The doctor?"
We've called him. Myra's gone
I to see"
Myra came in just then.
'Dr Ellis Is on his way she
said.
I'll go clear out the living
room" Mrs Clancy offered and lett.
"Oh, Myra, Myra" Ellen whis-
pered.
'"He-he's breathing. Ellen. We
have to hope and pray"
Their fingers closed together
tightly; their terrified eyes met
and failed Of reinsurance.
Molly sat motionless, fearless,
speeches.. Myra tried to make
her leave but she would not. Ellen
touch Mike except to take one of
IL ut,, h.t v,atlAA handS ofilt yri u
from play. She hardly knew what
went on about her. She was not
aware that Myra had at last sue
ceeded In getting Molly into her
own bedroom. She was aware only
of Mike and his death-ltke pallor
and his death-like stiffness.
DIR Ellis came. Another doctor
came. Ellen hardly understood
that they had forced her from the
room so they could make the ex-
animation. After a long while-it
was dark outside now--the doctors
reluctantly announced they still
could not say how gravely the boy
was injured. Internal injuries un-
doubtedly-thep persistent coma due
to that - one leg broken, perhaps
his spine affected. The child SHOULD
be In a hospital. They wanted an
other opinion before moving him.
How soon will we know the best
or the worst?"
1t was the ghost Of Molly's voice.
wen" DR. Ellis hesitated. 'if
he holds out through the night We
should be able to move him by
morning. An immediate operation
would be too dangerous"
Ellen returned to her vigil be-
side Mike. Myra moved in and out,
but most of the time she stayed in
the next room with Molly who lay
sleepless, staring, fearless. Some
times Mikes breathing grew heavy
and the strange, stertorous sound
| filled the watcher with panic. Yet
never would Ellen allow her hopes
to flag. Toward morning Mike stir
red for the first time and MUIR
INJURED something incoherent about
a bicycle. Ellen looked quickly to-
ward DIR Ellis at the other side OF
| the bed.
THAT'S good" he said.
Presently the doctor gave deep
sigh. you can tell your mother
and Myra We'll be moving the
young man to the hospital IN an
hour or So"
He bent and fumbled for Mixes
pulse. looked across at Ellen and
smiled YEARLY.
The ambulance came for Mike.
There was a crowd on the street
when they carried him out Into the
morning sunshine. Molly rode In
the ambulance. Ellen and Myra
followed In q cab and told each
other with courageous lips and
frightened eyes that everything
would be all right. DR. Ellis had
said. 80.
They reached the hospital and
ssw Mike wheeled away. In .
long. white. brightly lighted hall.
heavy with the smell Of ether and