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 FLAMING

YOUTH

259

“Tl do my best.” At the James house they found Dr. Osterhout. Pat went up to Dee after bidding Cary come to the Knoll directly after dinner. Going out with the physician he asked how serious James’s case really was. “As serious as it could possibly be,” was the grim reply. ‘‘He’ll live.” “Then Pat was right. He’ll never be any better?” “Not much. A paralytic. With a good deal of suffering.” “Can’t you help him die?” muttered Scott. The medical man turned an uncompromising look upor the other. “When I acquire the wisdom of Deity, then I'll assume the prerogatives of Deity. Not before.” “It’s a merciless attitude. In a case like this iy “Tn a case like this,” the physician cut him short, “the

man’s life may be valuable to others if not to himself. And suppose after I’d killed him, as you so casually suggest”’—the other’s gesture of protest did not serve to stop him—“and some new operation was discovered that would restore this kind of case; where should I stand with myself ?” “Ts that likely?” _ “It?s most unlikely. But it’s possible. In any case, we doctors do not kill.” “You don’t give a thought to Dee.” A ripple of pain twisted the harsh features. “I’m trying not to. My business is with my patient.” “Does he know?” “Yes. He wormed the truth out of me. He wants Dee to get a separation.”

“A separation? idea?”

I don’t understand.

What

is his

“T'9 relieve her from being tied to a corpse, as he says.