The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1937-10-01
By IA NET DOR 4 "
Illustrated By Henrietta McCaig Starreff

ike cloak and felt new strength pour
tna over him.
Thunder heads marched UP sultry
disc of breathless bronze sky and the
leaves stood still In wilted. mute waiting.
DR.. Fairchild Laird was playing Semple
down and out Of running. and the Nomad
Tour wound to mad. stupendous finish.
unaware that In small private room
In Linwood Hospital drama moved
sharply, swiftly toward an exit marked
death
Get Dr. Laird" Johnny said sternly.
and the nurse fed on winged feet.
+Dr. Laird is playing and cannot be
disturbed" she reported.
Get DR.. Laird and get him here In ten
minutes or I'll haul you both before the
State Board for criminal negligence"
Johnny barked. She fed. white-faced.
She had seven years of profitable nursing
behind her and not all the golf nuts IN
Christendom could strip t.er Of her priced
r. N. and j. Benedict meant business
no fooling.
DR.. Laird ragged In, hot, perspiring and
furious. He had had to default to Sem
pie within four holes Of rousing tri-
umph. He knew Semple had been throw
ing his shots In every direction and the
Lid was off.
I could have told you this was futile,
young man." he began impotently, but
Johnny cut him short.
Get into your coat and gloves and be
damned quick about it---we've seconds
only. And it's one shot In 10000
TOHNNY'S hand did not falter as he
= worked swiftly, surely Not until his
shocked eyes saw and measured the
dread gangrene infection. The one thing
he had gambled against-tlle one thing
that could turn his hopes to gre. defeat.
Don't" Laird gasped sharply To.lnny's
eyes measured his for split second and
moisture oozed along his forehead and
streaked into his dark brows above the
mask. "You haven't one chance in
million. Benedict Only two men have
done that-with success"
aShut-up!" Johnny said succinctly
and the head nurse dropped her hypo
and 1t clattered along the floor Johnny
bent to his task. His forehead creased
and nurses wiped perspiratior from his
eyes He took instruments, used them
swiftly, dropped them, took more He
sponged, cleaned, sutured and sterilized
and a prayer lived on his lips and sealed
his heart
Finally he was done. Mechanically he
stripped off the gloves and followed the
stretcher up, his hand on the duttering
pulse of the boy. He drank black coffee,
hot and clear, and several s.aots of stiff
brandy. He stood by the bed or sat In
the stiff chair and his eyes never left the
face Of the boy, his fingers never left the
pulse. Twice he paused to reach for the
tray containing the adrenalin and nee-
die; twice he Wavered and did not use it.
Then, just as the Summer tempest
broke over Linwood, ending tournament
and tour In blaze of ripping, roaring
thunder, lightning and rain, he saw what
ne was waiting for. Signing gently, he
lifted the lids of the boy and studied the
eyes briefly, and then stepped quietly
into the hail.
Susan grabbed his arm
Johnny" she cried. Johnny tell me
will he-live?n
Duly, he nodded.
Il think so-now," he said.
Johnny. you were wonderful, naagniff-
cent?" she breathed.
How did you know?" he inquired
briefly.
"Dad-Dad was furious He swore
you'd murdered the boy. And when
Father persecutes some one, he's afraid
Of hin-afraid he's better than DIR Fair
child Laird!" Susan stated simpl,, I'm
glad you saved him, Johnny. He's an
awfully sweet boy"
II hope youll be very happy together"
Johnny said. stiffly. Susan stared at him.
owl-eyed.
Happy? Me2 With Lloyd sellers9
Johnny, are you utsnay? Lloyo engaged
to marry q little girl back home In his
own town. She's a telephone op-
orator and they went to high school to-
getherI"
"You-you mean you're not crazy over
him. or in love, or anything?" Johnny
blurted, certain that lack of sleep was
impairing his faculties.
I'm certainly not In love with q
motorcycle racer" Susan stated firmly.
TITS bad enough to worry about person
dying of overwork or catching infantile
or something without adding sheer in
sanity to the list!''
Worrying" Johnny repeated slowly,
doubtfully, did you say worrying, Susan?
Because II you did, maybe you mean. =
Worrying she said firmly, but some
OF it I can evade by being tough,
Johnny Benedict. Home for you, young
man, and twelve hours of sleep, and I
stand guard all the timel Then bath,
shave, some eats. y
Gould I maybe have small kiss
flrst?" DR.. Benedict inquired meekly.
Susan grinned
Wen see. When we're out of this
institution of means and groans. And
wait till you see the paper, Johnny. ID
my parents nose out of joint? For once
ID his life some one told him where to
head in and got away with it. Further
more, you were right
sOf course was right, the old y.
peach" Johnny amended hastily, recall
Ing his applied psychology, third year
lesson ten, but after all precedent il
a matter of !"
"Of being the older man and selling