Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1933-08-24
COUNTY SENTINEL

anxious, he had descended from the
dais, almost the first to reach the re-
cumbent body. Swiftly he knelt at
its side, removing the cowl and sup
porting the head with an arm, while he
took charge of the situation.
Don't move in so close. there" he
directed the encroaching circle. "Let
him have plenty of air. Here,
I'd better loosen his clothes a bit"
Don't you think we ought to send
for doctor, TedT' A fair-haired boy
in yellow. with pugnacious features
and freckled skin, made the sugges-
ton. at looks as If he had some sort
of seizure"
The black-robed leader nodded. "Of
course, Chuck; try to get hold of one
as soon as possible. And he'll be bet
ter of. upstairs in bed You two
George. and you, Ned-lift him and
carry him to my room. But handle
him carefully"
The two individuals he indicated
shouldered their burden; lane was
silently formed, through which they
bore 1t to the door, into the hall and
stairway beyond. The third, called
Chuck, hesitated before following them
out.
Il suppose, Ted, we should call Doc
tor Thompson rather than anyone
else" he said inquiringly.
Eyes. that's the wisest thing. Any
how, he's in the neighborhood; he'll
probably arrive sooner, too. than some
other doctor we might get"
Some moments elapsed before he
succeeded In communicating with the
physician. And then II took Doctor
Thompson another quarter of an hour
to reach the house. During that in.
terval, every possible effort was made
to relieve the afflicted boy in the mp
stairs bedchamber. At first, convul-
sive tremors and a fresh nausea he
could not restrain INSTRUCTED his at
PENDANTS; but with the passing min
utes, these paroxysms ceased and a
drowsiness and lassitude lessened his
pain. Except for an accelerated but
labored breathing, he lay quiet and
inert. Muscular rigidIty followed;
and gradually, as his strength ebbed.
even his respiration diminished When
the intently awaited assistance arrived.
his stupor bordered on unconscious
ness.
Doctor Wilbur Thompson was tall
rangy man, bald and round-faced.
whose keen eyes looked searchingly.
albeit kindly, through pince-nez glasses.
In his official capacity of medical ad-
wiser Of the University Of Philadelphia.
his name was well known to all en-
rolled as students.
The young master of ceremonies.
still wearing his black robe, opened
the door at his ring.
well, what seems to be the diff
culty?" Doctor Thompson greeted him
briskly.
That's just it." the boy replied
soberly. "We can't tell what It is.
But one Of the PLEDGES was taken
sick during the initiation; and I'm
afraid it's serious. My name is Ted
Stanton. Doctor" he added.
Briefly, then, he described the mi
tiate's sudden attack, while they as
cended the carpeted stairs together, to
lose no time in giving the necessary
attention. There were two narrow
beds In the room, and the now insen-
sible patient lay in that against the
rear wall.
The physician barely observed his
surroundings, as he began his exam
ination. When, at length, he rose from
the bedside. his look was grim, and his
usually amiable mouth drawn into a
thin formidable line. He shook his
head slowly, his voice strangely harsh.
"rm afraid I'm too late to do any,
thing for him." he announced to the
president. perhaps treatment in the
first few minutes after his collapse
might have pulled him through; I'm
not certain. But after that, no doctor
In the world could have saved him.
He's sinking fast now and his pulse is
barely perceptible."
Ted Stanton blanched and GUIDED.
his lips quivering in his attempt to
speak.
"You mean, Doctor, he's really dy-
ing?" The query was an appalled,
whisper
"Just that" Doctor Thompson re-
turned austerely, "he can't live more
than few minutes"
I'VE tried our best to help him, sir"
The other seemed at a loss. "And we
got In touch with you immediate
ly. Just what's happened to him?
1t doesn't look like heart failure; that
would have killed him even quicker.
wouldn't itT'
The physician answered with a ques-
ton. How did he react, after you
brought him up herer' He faced the
group In the room. Someone who
stood close to him all the time-did he
appear more at ease when his convul.
sions were over?"
A blue-gowned youth in the group
around the stricken man spoke up hes
itantly.
mot exactly, SIR" he said, "at least.
l thought he grew stiff and strained.
as II in worse pain, still And he kept
on painting quickly with great deal of
trouble"
"Ah, then he seemed to find it diff.