Argosy All-Story Weekly, March 15, 1924 — page 32: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

660 he could not control those revealing win- dows which were his eyes, and he saw re- flected in the eyes of the girl an emotion which was akin to his. This moment, he perceived, could only end in a wordless part- ing, and he could not endure that, so he spoke coolly, and masterfully brought the - perilous moment under rein. “Do you think that the case is a hope- less one?”’ Her . expression _ changed, betraying a quick surprise. “ Why do you ask me that?” she said. ‘You seem to be deeply interested in the poor boy. And I know that you are too brave a spirit to accept.a hopeless verdict without a struggle, even if it is only a men- tal struggle. Do you really think your friend’s case is hopeless?” She left the doorway in which she had been standing, and walked to the edge of the veranda with a quick, nervous stride. She stood for an instant looking over the quiet meadows and the bay beyond, as - though seeking counsel there. Then she turned upon him quickly. “I’m so glad you’ve asked me that,” she said. “I’ve thought of it so often. But when I first mentioned it to the people here, Dr. Stevens would not let them listen. He was rude, and they would not listen to me. But I do believe there is a hope.” She gazed with bright eyes at him, and -was encouraged by his gravity. “ It isn’t just a foolish thought!” she assured him. ‘“Tve inquired about, and written letters. I’m sure he has a chance!” “Why are you so sure?” “In Michigan, in Battleberg—that’s the name of the town—there is a great special- ist, and he has.cured more cases of epilepsy than any other doctor in the world. He has taken them after all the others have given them up. And he has cured them. I’m sure of that. I have the figures.” “Yes. And you think Harold should be sent there?” “ Ves? ; *Do you know anything of his condi- tion?” “Yes. You see, he wasn’t like this when he was young. He was a lovely boy, one of the brightest little fellows I’ve ever seen. . “T know it. glands. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. ‘Then when he was about seven years old he started having fits; but it didn’t seem to affect his mind. — “Tt was only two or three years ago that he started to act peculiarly: Then he became worse, and had the most awful headaches. idiot, and he has fits every few days.” As she spoke, tears filled her eyes. He could see that she suffered in sympathy . with the boy, as though he were her‘own. “ Oh, it’s terrible,” she cried with a catch in her breath, “‘ to see him! . He could have been so fine! So useful!” There was a little pause wibile he stood gravely watching her. “Well, I heard of this doctor and wrote to him. » Dr. Compton, his name 1s. [I told him the whole history of Harold’s case, and he has sent me several letters.” She looked at him a trifle defiantly. ‘‘ He says that he thinks the chances.are good for a cure,” she said. ‘f You’ re sure he’s the real thing?” I’ve looked him up. Oh, I’ve gone into it thoroughly. It seems half the cases of epilepsy are due to a poisonous matter that is made in-a gland that ought to help purify the system. He thinks that. ~Harold’s case is like that, because of the headaches.” “Just a minute,” interrupted -Corvan. “Can you remember what that gland is called?” “ Peyer’s,” she said. ‘The Peéyer’s They’re found in the intestines. The part called the cecum. Dr. Compton says epilepsy of this form will sometimes cause a growth in the brain, a thicke-inig of the tissue, or something; and that seems to be Harold’s case. Tf we get it in time, he thinks an opera- tion can remedy the brain part of it, and then he can cure him of the other trouble just as he cures the others. kind he can treat, the epilepsy that comes from the gland trouble.” She smiled. “ I’m afraid I haven’t made it very clear,’ she ‘said. “Clear enough for me,” he remarked with a brevity that sounded almost business- like. ‘ Guess we’ll go in and have a chat with the doctor.” COMmiiclooe Now, of course, he’s a regular That’s the only: CO ~4