Stronger Passion

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 647, 26 April 1929, Page 5

Stronger Passion

-jßy

Rowan Glen

Author of “ The Great Anvil. The Best Gift of All," “ For Love or for Gold." &c . &c.

CHAPTER XV.—(Continued.) —THE BIG CHANCE.

Macßae was rubbing a linger across his chin slowly. When he spoke it was in a tone of complete indifference. “Seems to me." he remarked, “that I'm developing into a sort of generalutility man. Hart's not my patient. Still, and because I'm a surgeon. I’ll have a look at him and see what’s wrong. After that though, the local man will have to attend to things. You trot back and scatter that gaping crowd before I come up. You’d better keep beside me. and Elaine can stay of course.” Nodding and with a muttered, “Thank you. Macßae. It’s dam’ decent of you,” Rollingward went off. The Scotsmau followed him leisurely. Hart had been laid on his back on the turf. His face was very pale and his body was motionless. Elaine kneeled beside him, distraught. Her hands were gripped together and held against her breast, and her lips were moving in the formation of soundless sentences. She looked up as Macßae reached her, and for a second or two she closed her eyes. “Thanks,” she articulated. “Will rou tell me —what’s wrong? He isn’t—dead, is he?” He did not answer, but, going on one knee, watched the judge’s face. Then, very gently and skilfully, he raised the other’s head aud examined the wound there which had been caused by a jagged stone. Perfectly calm, entirely sure of himself, he was the Blair Macßae of Harley Street agaiu, rather than the Laird of Arnavrach. He laid the unconscious man down und getting to his feet, spoke to the waiting Rollingward: "We’ve got to fix up a stretcher of sorts for him,” he announced. “We can manage that somehow with guns and coats. Then we’ll have to get

him to The Lodge as Quickly and as carefully as we can.” A hand was tugging at the sleeve of his jacket. Elaine, her throat dry. was whispering to him. He glanced down at her. “Yes,” he answered, “It’s serious. I can’t tell you yet exactly how serious But I’ll have a proper look at him once we get him into bed. It’s a nasty crack that he got—and he’s not a young man. But if you want to help. Elaine, you've got to grip on yourself pretty hard, aud to keep your head. I’ll send one of the men down for Dr. Cairns right away, so he should be at The Lodge by the time we get there ” It was a grave-faced party who weu< slowly to the house from which, hours earlier, they had started so gay of mood. Hart was carried upstairs and te bed. and while that was being done Dr. Cairns arrived, bringing with him a nurse from the Cottage Hospital iu Dochrine. When the doctor had made his examination he came to where, looking out through the open window of the room, Macßae stood waiting. “Well?” the latter asked. W hat s your view, doctor?” The other moved plump shoulders. “So far as I can tell. it;s something out of my line,” he admitted. “I m puzzled, and I don't mind saying so. I think it’s a case for an operation and at once.” “Quite” Macßae agreed. *1 ve seen case after case, but this is going to be awkward. Y’see, lie’s getting on; also, he’s got ‘a heart.’ But there it is! If lie’s going to be saved, you’ll have to get to work within a hour. It’ll be touch and go after that —even if your operation looks successful.” The older man was palpably anxious. “I was hoping,” he said, “that there