The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1936-09-04

too well; but an accustomed matter
now, with no immediate prospect OF a
change.
Mrs. Davis o 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
these occasions, and as she opened
them she had observed that they were
rather flamboyant. The back Of one
pack was a 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
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 we're his
vo I'm mrgg' oipng svi to be he very Sag b 5sann T !4!m
ySd, ~CSt 4C 11R0 su4x = III
going to tell you the exact situation.
I've been baking at doing it for al
most a month. Now its 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 Harrington's
manner wa 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 -
ne went on, looking away from her
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-well, to put. it
frankly, it's the kind that greatly pro-
longs a tragic situation"
II don't think I quite understand
Anne Davis murmured. But, of course,
risen, was moving around the room.
He returned to her now and stood look
ing down on her, hands in pockets,
brow furrowed, hating his job but doing
1t as considerably as he could.
1.-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. I greatly
doubt If he eve will. But he may last
a 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
up with me. MI. Davis can't get we'll.
But he has an amazing constitution.
DR.. Crane agreed with my opinion Of
the cas- I don't know whether to be
more sorry for your husband or for
you"
you mean that he will live on in
this same condition-just live without
really being alive?"
The doctor nodded.
There's every indication of it,"
For years and years?"
%, I wouldn't say that" Harrington
broke in hastily. "But-well, several
years wouldn't surprise me. When we
come up against that situation we feel
bound to warn the family" He looked
away again. "Readjustments are often
necessary" he ended in a lower voice.
"One club" Anne Davis heard her
self say now. She was at the card table,
making her first bid. She must not
keep her companions waiting, but her
voice sounded far away in her own
ears.
lone diamond" That was Eleanor
Drake. coming back with her uncover