Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1936-08-29

too well; but an accustomed matter
now, with no immediate prospect Of q
change.
Mrs. Davis won the deal and drew
Mrs. Drake for her partner. The two
women smiled at each other. They
took their places and Mrs. Davis dealt
the cards. She had provided two new
packS-as the hostess always did on
these occasions, and as she opened
them she had observed that they were
rather flamboyant. The back Of one
pack was brilliant crimson, that Of
the other an edgy green. She had
meant to comment on this to her
guests; to explain that she had ordered
the cards by telephone and had taken
whatever came. That was before she
had seen the doctor Since then It
hadn't mattered Nothing mattered
very must except the tragic road that
spread before her.
She hardly saw the cards as they fell,
hardly heard the quiet voices Of her
three friends. What she still saw was
DR. Harrington's face when he had
lead her out of her husbands room
into her upstairs sitting room, seated
her there, closed the door, and sat
down facing her. All she heard were his
words, echoing, re-echoing in her ears.
I'm going to be very frank with
you, Mrs. Davis. he had begun. 'I'm
going to tell you the exact situation.
I've been baking at doing it for al
most month. Now it's my duty to
give you the facts"
She had felt herself stiffening. had
set her teeth. The end was coming
then-was at hand. But Harringtons
manner was not that Of the family
physician and friend who conveys such
news as this. He was disturbed, was
self conscious
"It's an unexpected development,
he went on, looking away from her
Intent eyes. "But there's been IN the
last month an extraordinary change In
Mr. Davis condition. He's not worse,
he added quickly. ION the contrary, in
some way, he's better. The trouble Is,
the development isn't the sort that
makes for steady improvement and
eventual recovery. It's-weIl, TO put it
frankly. it's the kind that greatly pro-
longs tragic situation"
Il don't think I quite understand, "
Anne Davis mIirmured. But, of course,
she had understood Harrington had
risen, was moving around the room. !
He returned to her now and stood look
Ing down on her, hands In pockets, (
brow fIlrrowed, hating his Job but doing 1
It as considerably as he could.
The splendid nursing your husband
has had, and the long rest suppose
well have to call It rest" he interpolat-
ed, have strengthened his heart and
built up his general health. The basic
conditions remain the same He can't
move, neither can he speak 7 greatly
doubt IL he ever will But he may last
\ long, long time. There seems every
probability now that he will. I called in
Dr.. Crane yesterday. I suppose you
wondered why I wanted him to check
I'D with me. Mr.. Davis can't get well.
But he has an amazing constitution.
Dr.. Crane agreed with my opinion Of
he case. I don't know whether to be
more sorry for your husband or for
1ou"
You mean that he win live on in
his same condition-just live without
eally being alive7"
The doctor nodded.
There's every indication Of It."
For years and years?"
20, wouldn't say that" Harrington
,roke in hastily "But-well, several
ears wouldn't surprise me. When we
'ome up against that situation we feel
'ound to warn the family" He looked
way again. Read uStments are often
Necessary" he ended in q lower voice.
"One club" Anne Davis heard her
elf say now. She was at the card table,
making her first bid. She must not
.eep her companions waiting, but her
oice sounded far away In her own
ars.
zone diamond" That was Eleanor
)rake, coming back with her one-oYer-