X*lL 1 "i : ' .- x-^yVMriht-^'iig --- MBRY: : ;^ THE FOURTH PHYSICIAN Ol> cou'se dere am all sohts oh doctahs," Hilary explained. I Page The Fourth Physician A CHRISTMAS STORY BY MONTGOMERY PICKETT Illustrated br GORDON STEVENSON CHICAGO A. C. McCLURG & CO. 1911 Copyright 1911 A. C. McCLURG & CO Published September, 1911 Entered at Stationers' Hall, London, England The Culon Pren Chicago TO ONE WHO WATCHED BY NIGHT The Fourth Physician i WHEN CALENDAR BED- FORD reached the age of sixty, it was published widely that he had retired from business ; he had done more than that he had quit. His was not the usual case of a year of tiresome globe trot- ting followed by a summer consecrated to golf, then into the harness again. He had something to do. Here and there may be found a man who knows how to round out his life ripely, ma- turely, as October rather than December should complete the year. Bedford had dis- covered that the City of Leisure is more ab- sorbing than the City of Industry, if one but knows the game. It was all simple enough: most of the so-called "classes" of society might be found within walking distance of 7 The Fourth Physician his home on the Drive. Just now he was back in Virginia at least, Hilary Brooks, the negro house-servant he had brought North with him, mourned him as there. It was the first Christmas Eve in forty years that he and "Marse Calendah" had not spent together, and he hoped it would be the last. All morning the old man had been decorating the living-room with holly and balsam boughs, not forgetting to add a spray of mistletoe where suitable head-room could be had. Now that he had nearly finished, doubts arose in his mind as to whether his efforts were worth while. True, "Little Miss," otherwise Elizabeth Bedford, had re- mained at home, but even that left the ques- tion debatable. He was a real man, this aged negro, with very dark skin and snow-white hair. If asked his age, he was likely to answer eva- sively, and then to recall an event that dig- nified his childhood, when "jes* foh er The Fourth Physician minute " he had been permitted to hold in his little black arms the new master of the Bed- ford house, all done up in long, white baby clothes. As he could remember nothing that had happened prior to that impressive occasion it was clear to him that he must have been about five years older than Marse Calendah and hence "gwine on ter sebenty now." Loyalty and devotion were qualities that Bedford gave and accepted without much thought they were requisite to friendship. It was his childlike and bound- less faith, underlying a kindly, sunny nature that made him love his former slave. Everybody else, including her father, real- ized that Elizabeth had become a young woman, to Hilary she remained "ouah mothahless little girl." On this particular afternoon, as she stepped into the living- room he was humming softly an old melody, for all of his regret that the head of the fam- ily had seen fit to absent himself at the most 9 The Fourth Physician important time of the year. He was putting " de finishin' teches " on his morning's work. "It is lovely, Uncle Hilary!" she com- mented, glancing around approvingly. " How did you manage it so quickly? " " Old niggah step lively, Chris 'mus -time ! Ah'se had er lot ob dealin's wid Santy Claus ! " He ascended the step-ladder slowly and straightened a cluster of mistletoe hang- ing from the chandelier. His face took on a shade of anxiety as he looked down upon Elizabeth, who had seated herself at a desk. When presently she glanced up, he was care- ful to resume his most cheerful expression. "Ah'se of 'en wondahed whah dis heah mistletoe deribe hits title mos' likely hits name' foh some ob ouah old famblies back in Virginnyl Ef sech de case, dat fambly sho'ly share in de honah ob de gran' ole State!" Elizabeth smiled encouragingly. "Ef Ah hadn't been er ministah ob de 10 The Fourth Physician Gawspil fob ser many yeahs, an' on dat ercount s'posed ter know ever'thing, Ah sut- tinly would er arsked befo' dis ! " " Why don't you ask now? " "Does you know whah hit deribe hits name?" he inquired with caution. " No, Uncle Hilary, " she admitted laugh- ingly, " I've often wondered myself." "Dat's de way hit go!" And he shook his head in simulated discourage- ment. "When er pusson ob age an' 'speri- ence do humiliate hisse'f by arskin' questions, he don' nevah learn nuffin! " He patted the mistletoe caressingly and descended. Eliza- beth was standing at the fireplace in medita- tion. "Ah'se gittin* pow'ful oneasy Marse Calendah ain' gwine be heah in time ter greet Ole Krister-night!" "Did I tell you that I wrote him not to hurry back ? I wanted him to stay over Christmas at the old home." "Fob de Lawd' sake!" His voice was 11 The Fourth Physician full of respectful indignation. ' You sho'ly am' gone an' done dat! " "Yes, I did!" "Ah kin see right heah, ain' gwine be no Chris'mus in dis house." She took a telegram from the mantel. " Here is his answer. You may read it." She offered him the yellow slip, but clearly he did not intend to take it. " Oh, forgive me, Uncle Hilary I forgot you don't like to read telegrams!" "No'm, Ah don' jes' hanker arfter 'em. Nevah did hab no luck wid tel'grams. Las' one Ah projec' wid, Marse Calendah han' me ter read ovah forty yeah ergo. When Ah discover nex' day hit wah de ordah foh him ter go ter de front wid his regiment, Ah hab de same feelin' ob mis'ry dat come ter me jes' now wid yo' 'nouncement he ain' gwine be heah foh Chris'mus! What Marse Calen- dah 'low in dat tel'gram?" 12 The Fourth Physician " He 's coming back this afternoon! " " De Lawd be praise' ! Ole niggah begin be 'fraid all dem derangements you been makin' wah foh dat doctah-man 'stead ob Marse Calendah." " How did you know that Dr. Shepherd is expected here this afternoon?" she asked, surprised. Hilary chuckled. "Ah didn't, but Ah reckon ole niggah know hit now! No'm, All don' nevah pestah mahse'f readin' no tergrams! De tel'foam soun' mo' intel'gent." She laughed consciously at the trap he had led her into. " Uncle Hilary, I'm afraid you won't ever settle down into a dignified man." Vastly tickled, he changed the subject. " How you like dat mistletoe? " " It is lovely all of it! But I have just come from a poor, little dying girl over in 13 The Fourth Physician the Settlement District. Dr. Warren found her this morning, too late to save her life." "Too late? Sho'lynot!" "He doesn't expect her to live through the night." " De po' chile ! " His voice was full of the deepest sympathy. "An' Ah 'spose dey been makin' Chris'mus prep'rations foh her, too!" " No ; they do not have very much Christ- mas in homes like hers. She has n't a father, and her mother is poor." " How ole you say she is? " "About five." " No Chris'mus-tree, nor nuffin? " "There wasn't even food in the house when Dr. Warren got there." " Whah she lib', Little Miss?" "In the same block as the Mission Church." " De church Marse Calendah gib de chime ob bells ter?" 14 The Fourth Physician "Yes." "Hit sho'ly can't be de chile you an' me tooken de Chris'mus things ter. las' yeah?" Elizabeth nodded her head. 'You 'membah how she clumb up onto mah knee, an' put dem baby fingahs 'gainst dese ole black cheeks ob mine?" " I I thought of it to-day." ' Yassum ; she put dem little ban's on mah face, an' say, sweet an' trus'ful-like," and he tenderly imitated the child voice, '"Ah knows who oo is ! Oo is Ole Santy ! An' oo is turn down 'ittle chillun's chimblies ser much oo ban's an' face is full ob soot ! ' ' " Poor, baby fingers ! " "De onliest chile Ah is belt in mah ahms fob many er yeah ! " His gentle old face took on a purposeful look that Elizabeth had seen before. "We ain' gwine ter let her die, is we, Little Miss?" "Oh, I hope not!" "Good Book say we gotter considah' de 15 The Fourth Physician po' an' needy as well as de lilies ob de fiel', but when Ah heahs ob er case like dis, Ah is suah we considahs de lilies ob de fiel' too much!" " I think so and that is true of us! Look at all our beautiful Christmas things we with no children in the house! " "You is de chile ob dis house de onliest one we got lef! Marse Calendah an' me nevah got ovah 'membahin' dat ! " Elizabeth, touched by his devotion, de- cided to take him into her confidence, know- ing that no one was worthier. 'You were speaking of Dr. Shepherd," she ventured, glancing at the mistletoe with coloring cheeks. " Sometimes when he is here, I can't help feeling that I am keeping him from some poor, suffering child 1 " Without understanding why, Hilary be- gan to bristle. " Wheddah Doctah Shepherd am heah er somewhah else, de kine ob chillun he 'tends 16 The Fourth Physician ain' gwinter suffah! He got strickly er obsclusive practice 'mongst de rich an' pow'ful, you know." ' Yes, I know," she admitted, and the old man felt the sadness in her heart. " Ob cou'se dere am all sohts ob doctahs," Hilary explained quite cheerfully. "Ah'se hadder lot ob dealin's wid 'em ! Comin' home on de street-car de uddah night, Ah heah er life-assuhance agent tellin' how he got er tip dat suttin doctah gwine take out er polercy on his own life. Same ebenin' he call on de doctah wid de idea ob gittin' de business. What you think dat f eesician done ? " " I could never guess." "Well, he lis'en few minutes, an' den he 'low he don' want no life-assuhance. ' Lemme see yo' tongue ! ' he say ter de agent. 'Nuffin de mattah wid mah tongue!' de agent explain, thinkin' de doctah wah joshin' him. How-some-evah he done as he wah tole, an' den dat doctah ups an' charges de 17 The Fourth Physician po' man two dollahs fob one orfice consola- tion!" " Don't you mean an office consultation? " Elizabeth inquired, laughing merrily. Hilary became solemn. ;< You 'spose dat wah what he mean? Ef hit wah, den you gone an' tooken de whole humorousness outer dat story!" "I'd be sorry to do that!" "De whole p'int ob de joke is wondahin' whah de life-assuhance man got any consola- tion outer de transaction." "But, as you say, all doctors are not alike," Elizabeth reminded him. " No'm, bless de Lawd, dey ain't! Dere 's ole Doctah Fred'rick, back in Hanovah County. One day, Sistah Louisy Rice dat uster lib in de cabin down de road from us, come bu'stin' in wid de news dat little 'Mer- icky Jane, her gran'chile, wah ver' sick, an' she want me ter pray fob her. Dat wah when Ah f oiler preachin' steady, you undahstan'? " 18 The Fourth Physician "Yes." "Ah say ter Sistah Louisy, p'inted-like, ' Sistah,' Ah say, 'Ain't dat chile got no doc- tah? ' She answah dat she got er doctah, but he arsk er mighty lot ob questions 'bout whah he gwinter git his money dat's why she want me ter pray ! " "What did you do?" " Ah respon' dat Ah gwinter light out ter town f oh Doctah Fred'rick, an' Ah'd do sech prayin' as come handy on de road. Dis hap- pen on er Thanksgibin' Day, an' when Ah gets dar, de doctah jes' settin' down ter din- nah. He tooken one sor'ful look at de roas' turkey, grabs de little pill-satchel he allus carry, an' hurry right out. Ten mile in de rain, ovah Virginny roads ! You know what dat mean." "I surely do!" "When we come ter de ford through Lickin' Crick, fu'st thing we know, hoss an* buggy swep' right out from undah us, an* 19 The Fourth Physician down de swollen stream ! We land, ob cou'se, on de wrong side, an' as he gathah his senses back, de doctah 'low he jes' gotter get ter dat little sick niggah! So he jump in an' swum 'cross, hangin' onter de pill-satchel all de time. Houah later when we show up at Sis- tah Louisy's cabin, he mos' tuckered out I What you think we fine? " "What?" Elizabeth asked with interest, the story having been a favorite one since childhood. " Ole Sistah Louisy standin' in de do', her big, shiny eyes full ob gladness. 'Mericky Jane much better!' she cry. 'Pahson, yo' prayah suttinly been heeard!' Ah draw mahse'f up an' respon' dat Doctah Fred'rick been doin' de best prayin' in de woiT, an' Ah reckon dat wah what turn de trick. You see, Little Miss, fervent prayah Vaileth much. Ah is of 'en observe dat nuffin is ser strong in sickness er health, as er good prayah wid de right perpo'tion ob effoht behine hit! " 20 The Fourth Physician II HER father's absence had increased Elizabeth's responsibilities, and ex- plained how she happened to forget that little Jeannette would be looking for Santy Claus the same soot-covered one who had delighted her heart the Christmas before. In fact, it was Hilary's beaming, black face as he served breakfast that morning that re- minded her of the child. They discussed various gifts before she decided to go per- sonally and find out what would bring the most happiness, the most comfort. It was shortly after ten o'clock when she stepped from a car at Hull House and walked east on Ewing Street past the Ju- venile Court to where the Dante School stood calm and dignified in the social inferno, the human chaos that surrounded it. Familiar as she was with the district, it was not easy 21 The Fourth Physician to find Mary Walker's home. She paused in front of a vacant lot that made her think of a sunken garden of ashes. Here and there stood heavy coal wagons laid up for the holi- days, their harsh, ugly lines softened by the snow. A half-dozen dark-eyed boys had built a crackling fire in a battered section of rusty iron smokestack discarded years be- fore; their fuel consisted of dried banana stalks that had been permitted to contribute to the pestilential conditions of the neighbor- hood the summer before. The heavy snow- flakes fell upon the heated metal with sharp, vicious hisses, and the youngsters shouted and danced as primitive boys must have done in the world's first snowstorm. Across the street stood a house with cheap, pretentious lace curtains caught back in the middle and framing a huge salted fish, advertising to the world that commerce was not neglected in that home. A squat, serious-faced lad with absurdly bowed legs, came trudging along 22 The Fourth Physician the slippery sidewalk carrying a babe whom kindly Nature intended to bask in the sun- light of the Mediterranean. Elizabeth asked in Italian if he could tell her where Mrs. Walker lived. The clear, well-formed Eng- lish in which he replied, reflected credit upon the Dante School, as he gave her directions which soon brought her to a wretched house that listed sharply leeward and seemed in imminent danger of capsizing. The lower floor was occupied by a saloon, and in one of the windows here the noble countenance of Tolstoi shared honors with the coarse fea- tures of a local candidate in the last election. A rickety stair ran up one side of the build- ing to a crazy gallery upon which the upper tenements opened. It was in this structure that Mary Walker rented the two miserable rooms she called her home. Elizabeth knocked, and while waiting at the door a funeral procession passed. There were several rather stylish carriages in one 23 The Fourth Physician a little white casket almost covered by a bunch of blood-red roses frozen stiff in the biting air. One ramshackle automobile coughed along in the rear as if sick unto death. She watched it with apprehension, but it negotiated the corner safely and dis- appeared in the smoke and snow. Dr. Warren opened the door. Elizabeth knew him and his work, and was not sur- prised when she saw his sturdy, plainly clad figure before her. "How do you do, Miss Bedford?" he asked, his fine young face lighting up. "Good-morning, Doctor!" she replied cordially. " Come in out of the cold although it is not much warmer inside." She entered and he closed the door. "How did you know about her?" he asked. "Know about her about whom?" " Little Jeannette. She is very ill." He 24 The Fourth Physician poked dexterously at the newly kindled fire in the cook-stove that was filling the room with the fragrant odor of pine. " I learned this morning that she was sick and came over as soon as I could." 'You are not alarmed about her?" " Frankly, I am. In fact, I don't see how she can recover. Such cases are hard to save, over here. Everything is against her. There was no fire when I arrived. Her poor, dis- tracted mother was breaking up for fuel an old trunk that must have had memories for her. She got the stove started while I did what I could for the child." "Is there plenty of fuel now?" " Yes. I 'phoned over to the House from the saloon downstairs. There is also food and medicine. One of the most discouraging features of the case is that Mrs. Walker has made up her mind that the child will die. I have sometimes noticed that mothers of al- 25 The Fourth Physician most elementary intelligence seem to know when a child is fatally ill. That is particu- larly true in this part of the city." " Perhaps it is because so many children die over here," she suggested. " Hardly, Miss Bedford. We are having better success each year. It may sound un- professional to you, but often I am forced to consider these uncanny intuitions of which I speak." " There must be something I can do for them. May I go in?" She indicated the door of the inner room. ' Yes, if you wish. A visiting nurse has come, and is with the child. She is resting easier, and in the early afternoon we will know more of her chances of recovery. Meanwhile there are other places I must go." He filled the stove with coal and adjusted the drafts. Then, holding his hat, he smiled gravely. " A Merry Christmas to you, Miss Bedford!" 26 The Fourth Physician She offered her hand. "It is happiness I am wishing for you, Dr. Warren you who bring so much to others!" "I'm not so sure about that! But this work appeals to me. I would n't know how to act anywhere else." When he had gone, Elizabeth began straightening up the poor, squalid room that contained barely the necessaries of life. It served as kitchen, eating and living room combined. Besides the stove now roaring valiantly as the result of Warren's expert ministrations there was a sewing-machine such as piece-workers use, a table, and sev- eral chairs. These she noticed in a casual way. Her deep, womanly sympathy was centred in the adjoining room where a child lay suffering. 27 The Fourth Physician III THROUGHOUT their association of a lifetime, Calendar Bedford never thought of Hilary as a servant, but always as a friend. Conditions not of his making, which he accepted as his fathers had done before him, had raised a social barrier be- tween them; neither made any effort to remove it, satisfied in knowing that their friendship was unaffected by circumstances which made one the master, the other a serv- ant. It was to this same friend and slave that Bedford had entrusted the safety of the women and children of his household, and incidentally his worldly goods, when he led his regiment away from the Valley of Vir- ginia in the early days of the Civil War. And no soldier of his command had been more faithful to his cause than this devoted negro who served him still. Elizabeth was in her first year at college 28 The Fourth Physician when her mother died, and these two white- haired men, one of whom loved the dead woman as a rose is loved, the other as a star might be, tightened up the bands of affection and comforted one another. The same rich sympathy that had buoyed up the drifting soul of his master during that tragic time now began to rise in Hilary's heart as Eliza- beth finished telling what she knew of the stricken child. His nimble brain was already planning, when Dr. Warren called. " I had hoped to find Dr. Shepherd," he explained, glancing about the room in dis- appointment. " I was informed by his office that he might be here." "I expect him later in the afternoon," Miss Bedford replied. " How is little Jean- nette?" "When I returned after seeing you, I found her condition grave. I have done all I can. There is only one man who can save her now." 29 The Fourth Physician "You mean Dr. Shepherd?" ' Yes. Unless he can be induced to go to her and to administer his new discovery, the child will die before midnight." " We must ask him to go." " That is what brings me here." "Surely he will!" Dr. Warren did not miss the doubt that her confident words were intended to con- ceal. "I hope so, Miss Bedford. You know how busy he is. In other cases brought to his attention " " Then you have brought similar cases to him," she interrupted, "and he did not see them?" " There are many demands upon his time, you know." "He is about to announce his wonderful discovery to give it to the world!" Warren bowed. "I must not linger. He may be at the 30 The Fourth Physician Children's Hospital; he has a clinic there about this hour." "Why not telephone him?" " It would be of no use. My only chance of inducing him to go, is by personal persua- sion. You see, I have known him a long time." Her eyes danced. ' You have ! Oh, tell me what was he like as a boy?" The slum doctor paused thoughtfully. Even the eager young woman noticed the color deepen in his face. He was absorbed in a diagnosis that concerned his own heart as well as hers. She wondered at his delay in replying, and attributed it to anxiety for the child. " It is hard to answer a question like that," he finally said, " but his was one of the most beautiful natures I ever knew. I used to wonder if there was any limitation to his courage or his gentleness. We used to tell 31 The Fourth Physician him that he was as happy in patching up a girl's broken toy as he was in thrashing the boy who broke it.'* "Beautiful!" And one might have fan- cied from her manner that she herself was the little girl whose cherished doll and whose broken heart had both been mended. " In fact," Warren continued, with exact- ness, "Dr. Shepherd was everything as a boy that he should be now as a man." She stiffened perceptibly, and her expres- sion changed. "I I am not quite sure that I under- stand you, Dr. Warren." The physician's diagnosis was complete. Sacrifice was not unknown to him, and his course lay clear. "What I mean is this, Miss Bedford. I can't help feeling that Dr. Shepherd has not actually changed a great deal. Somewhere under all the fashionable rubbish he affects, 32 The Fourth Physician his old nature lies dormant. A man can't change that much, you know!" "Oh, I'm so glad you think that I do, too!" " If I did n't have a part of the old faith left, I would n't be seeking him now. Good- bye!" With the extra touch of ceremony re- served for those whom he particularly ad- mired, Hilary escorted Dr. Warren to the door. "Dere's er pow'ful lot ob doctahs in de worl'," he observed innocently, upon his re- turn. " An' sech dif'rent kines ob 'em, too! " He was explaining how "Doctah Fred'- rick, ob Hanovah County," would conduct a case like little Jeannette's, when a tall, aris- tocratic man, about sixty-five, appeared in the doorway, where he stood for a moment as if blessing the friendship that the beau- tiful young woman had inherited for the 33 The Fourth Physician black man he had always loved. Hilary saw him first, and laughed as gleefully as a lad. "Ah jes' wish you'd look!" Elizabeth sprang to her feet, and was met by the man at the door, who took her in his arms. ' You see I'm back to meet Santy ! " His voice was low and rich and glad. He took Hilary's hand and wrung it warmly. " How d'y do, Hilary?" "Ah'se jes' mod'rate, Bless de Lawd, Marse Calendah! " he answered. No matter how happy he was, it never seemed quite delicate to boast about it. " Ah hope you is, sah?" "Is what 'jes' mod'rate'? Oh, I'm more than that! It was a beautiful visit! I left everybody well, and the old place hasn't changed since we were there." He inspected the decorations approvingly. " Full as ever of Christmas spirit, you two. Whose 34 The Fourth Physician master hand is responsible for all this beauty?" Hilary chuckled. " Jes' er few extra teches, sah, in honah ob de prod'gal's return! Ob cou'se you undah- stan's," he explained in some confusion, "you ain' 'zactly er prod'gal!" " Whatever I happen to be, I'm not going back home alone any more. Next Christmas we'll all go ! " He turned to Elizabeth now. 'You and Hilary and I and Living- ston?" " Do you mean Dr. Shepherd? " Hilary smiled knowingly. " Ali'll jes' make suah yo' rooms is ready, sah! " He took his master's bag and started out. "Lawd! Lawd! Dese evahlastin' doctah-men!" Elizabeth was careful not to appear con- fused. " Dr. Shepherd is coming this afternoon." " Good ! He 's very welcome ! " 35 The Fourth Physician "I know you feel kindly toward him, Father, but " " Let 's see about this, now! " Bedford in- terrupted with his customary directness. " Tell your old Dad if anything is troubling you!" " There is something I want to tell you, but I don't seem to know just what it is." " Don't you care for him, my dear? " "You know I do!" "Perhaps he doesn't care for you!" he suggested teasingly. "That's just what it is!" she replied sol- emnly. " I'm sure he likes me, but it is his horrid old profession that stands between us!" Bedford realized how unfortunate it would be if he laughed outright as he wanted to. "I've often noticed that young people in love deeply in love, you understand ex- pect more than er that is to say go on, my child." 36 The Fourth Physician "I don't know what it is, exactly. Old- fashioned people used to call it a 'chilling mist' or something of the sort, and that is about as near as I can describe it. And it is always there!" she added positively. " Go on," he suggested with infinite pati- ence. " Not a symptom missing! " ' You needn't laugh at me, Dad! I tell you it is his profession! And he loves it better than he could ever love me ! " " You 've reached the loves-his-work stage that's all! It is that quality which has made him a young man, but a strong man in his own great world! " He was serious now. " It is precisely that which makes him worthy of you." " Do you suppose it is? " she asked, greatly comforted. "Certainly! Even his good fortune in winning you mustn't make him forget a physician's duty." " But it is n't his duty at all that I refer 37 The Fourth Physician to!" she declared stoutly. "It is his pro- fessional standing, reputation his profes- sional everything and then, perhaps, his love for me!" "Nonsense!" He was grinning broadly now. "Let's look at the other side of it." " The other side of what ? " " Why, this misty business you are worry- ing about! I can see Livingston Shepherd right now before his well-worn mirror, put- ting 'de finishin' teches,' as Hilary would say, to his scientifically correct toilet!" He pretended to be looking into the distance. " Note with what rare technique he is making an incision into his dove-colored four-in- hand with a scarf-pin!" "Don't, Dad!" she begged. " Suddenly his high brow is overcast with doubt and misgiving. 'Most distressing complication,' he cries. 'Just as I am sure about everything else this unfortunate misty business is clearly developed, and I've got to 38 The Fourth Physician recognize symptoms of her interest in some- thing besides myself! ' ' She laughed joyously. ' ' Ah, yes ! ' he groans. ' She still visits those poor crippled children and brightens their dreary lives ! She even serves tea from her grandmother's china service ! I have got to discover a specific for all this, too ! ' " Then Bedford ceased to laugh, and took her ten- derly in his arms. "There! There! Don't you see? Your mother felt as you do now when the war called me. Do you think she could have loved me as well if I had laid down my sword and remained at her side?" "No, Dad, no!" She proudly regarded his military figure, still trim and erect, and his strong, gentle face. 'You are good to set me right!" The Fourth Physician IV 4 ' "\7'O' rooms is ready, Marse Calendah," 1 Hilary announced from the door- way. "An' 'scuse me, sah, but 'pears like pow'ful funny odah am comin' outer yo' grip although Ah don' think hit 's as bad as ef de bottle wah bu'st!" 'You old rascal," Bedford accused him fondly. ' You could smell out that Hanover Bourbon all the way back to Virginia! " "Am hit one ob de big bottles, sah?" It was important that this question be settled. "Er jes' one ob dem measly little quahts?" " It is n't either. Only a pint, this time and the last one, at that! " "Ah 'membahs dat little runt!" Hilary asserted resentfully. " Hit wah de las' one Ah drap inter de pond de night Ah heeard dat Gen'el Butlah wah comin' 1 An' jes' as luck would hab it, dat fool Bline Tom mule 4? The Fourth Physician ob our'n what Gen'el Butlah's soldiers would n't oblige us by takin', he ups an' gits lost in de pond, bu'sted de jimmy- John dat hel' fibe whole gallons, an' misses de little insignificus pint you got in yo' grip ! Luck suttinly am curious! But, ain' you hongry? What kin Ah git fob you, sah? " " Nothing, thank you. I lunched on the train." " We've laughed enough, now," Elizabeth announced, becoming serious. " I want to tell you about a sick child I visited this morning. Dr. Warren found her." "Dr. Warren of the Settlement?" " Yes, Father. She was very ill when he first saw her. And, oh, Daddy, there was neither medicine nor food in the house ! " The old story of human suffering was al- ways new to him. "Dr. Warren was here just before you came," she continued. "He has done all that he can, and is trying to find Dr. Shep- 41 The Fourth Physician herd. And do you know, they were boys together ! The little girl is desperately ill of the disease for which Dr. Shepherd has dis- covered his wonderful specific." " Have you told Livingston about the case?" "No, Father." "Why?" " I found a similar case myself some time ago, and telephoned him about it. I under- stood him to promise to visit the child at once, but when I asked him about it later, he had forgotten to go." "Had he not seen the child at all?" "He explained that he was devoting so much time to the discovery, he was rarely able to see individual cases." " Every case is an individual case." * ' I was thinking of that when you came, and I can't help feeling that he does not care for children at all, that it is merely pro- fessional prominence and fame which appeal 42 The Fourth Physician to him ! However, I am going to do what I can to send him over to Dr. Warren's pa- tient." " Where does the child live? " " Quite near the little Mission Church to which you gave the chimes last Christmas. I heard them again to-day. And I thought of you, and of her, as I listened to their notes of sweetness and cheer." ' You are very like her, my child ! " For a moment neither spoke. " I am glad you had made up your mind to have Dr. Shepherd see the little girl over there." " I have already made up my speech, too! " she told him girlishly. Then she became seri- ous again. " I shall tell him that the saving of that precious life will be his Christmas gift to me!" "That will fix him, if nothing else will! I can understand better now how you feel about his work. But you must be fair to him. He is much absorbed in his discovery, 43 The Fourth Physician but when once he has announced it, will have more time for other things." It was the holiday season, and Colonel Bedford had much to tell of his visit. He had answered many questions about the old home, and was leaving the room when Hilary threw open the door for Dr. Shepherd. Many who knew this interesting gentleman insisted that his unusual personality and physical charm had much to do with his no- table success as a specialist in children's dis- eases. In a measure this did him injustice; he was a worker as well as a thinker. At thirty-two there were few physicians in the great city who were better known, and none with a more enviable reputation in his spe- cialty. Many a child's life had been spared through the instrumentality of his skill sup- ported by indomitable courage and determi- nation. And many a rich man paid richly for his service. All that he was, all that he had done, and all that he intended to do were 44 The Fourth Physician apparent in his face and manner as he entered Calendar Bedford's living-room. "A Merry Christmas to you both!" he said, and to one who observed impartially it was as if words of great import were being worthily uttered. Bedford took his hand cordially, and then surrendered it to his daughter. "I was afraid I might not be fortunate enough to keep my engagement," Shepherd confessed with gracious candor. " Doubtless you have many demands upon your time," his host answered politely. "Rather more than usual, Colonel Bed- ford. I trust you had a pleasant stay in Vir- ginia?" "Delightful! Elizabeth and I were just planning to have you with us there, next Christmas." "But, Father," his daughter ventured diffidently, "as charming as it is to antici- pate Dr. Shepherd's visit next year, we must 45 The Fourth Physician not forget our claim upon him now. Dr. Shepherd, I was explaining to Father that I intended to ask you for a Christmas gift! Really and truly a Christmas gift for my- self!" ' You'll ask it now, won't you? " "Indeed I will! It is for a gift of your time. I learned only to-day that you are a friend of Dr. Warren who does so much for the poor people over in the Settlement." "Warren? Dr. Warren?" the fashion- able physician inquired. " So many doctors, you know!" "Dr. Robert Warren. You knew him as a boy." " Oh, that Warren! " He laughed indul- gently. " Why, yes, I know him! We were classmates in fact, roommates at college. What about him?" " Father and I both know him. He was here this afternoon looking for you." "Looking for me here? Really, I do 46 The Fourth Physician not understand why Dr. Warren should be looking for me. Our work is so different, you know. It is probably something in con- nection with his fad. Bad thing for a phy- sician ! " " What is his fad may I inquire? " asked Elizabeth. "Oh, slumming, mainly!" he answered with calculated indifference. " He has buried a rather unusual talent over in the West Side Graveyard, as we call it. Charity practice among unappreciative foreigners. ' ' " I have rarely found them so." ' You will, sooner or later, when the nov- elty wears off. In my opinion, Dr. Warren has sacrificed himself." ' You are wrong about that, Livingston! " Bedford put in, with good-natured direct- ness. " All wrong, my boy ! " " Indeed ? " The distinguished young spe- cialist was not accustomed to having his opinions disputed. 47 The Fourth Phvsician ' Yes, entirely wrong. A few years ago, I might have agreed with you. I am a little late in getting around to it, but I am begin- ning to comprehend the good that men like Warren are doing." "But the theory of it all is utterly fal- lacious, Colonel Bedford, and the practice worse! It is very hard to intelligently dis- pense charity." " It is n't charity," the older man retorted. " It is just a big, brotherly helpfulness! Of course, it should be intelligently done ; and I want to tell you that many a man in what we are pleased to call our own class has given me a lift over some pretty hard places in my life when I most needed it, too! I never heard any of them call it ' charity.' ' "Our own class, yes! But those below us it is hard to help them. Usually the unworthy get the bounty for the reason that they who really need it are too proud to ac- cept help." 48 The Fourth Physician " If that is true, it is because we persist, from our petty little thrones, in thinking of it as charity in calling it charity, even as we hand it down!" He realized that he was warming up, when his eye chanced to rest upon the Christmas decorations. "To the Carpenter of Nazareth, charity meant Love!" He placed his hand affectionately upon the younger man's broad shoulder. "I know you will pardon a personality, my boy! For many generations my ances- tors and doubtless yours as well have fought their country's battles in one way or another: as pioneers in the wilderness, as statesmen, or on the field of war. But none of them ever had a greater privilege than yours and mine a part in the hardest and the best fight of all the struggle of man to raise his fellowman! Here, Living- ston, in our great cities is the real American conflict!" "Ah is pow'ful sorry, Marse Calendah, ter 49 The Fourth Physician be int'ruptin' you erg'in, but Ah considahs hit mos' impohtant dat you cpme see 'bout dat grip ob yo's." Bedford turned and grinned broadly, as he caught Hilary's eye. "Be there in a minute! Elizabeth has something to ask you, Livingston. I'll leave you here with her, if you will excuse me." " Certainly, Colonel. I have something to ask her" Shepherd answered with easy as- surance. "About my Christmas gift " Elizabeth began as soon as her father had gone. "I brought it with me!" he assured her complacently, feeling for something in his waistcoat pocket. "We were speaking, you know, of Dr. Warren " Pardon me, Elizabeth," he interrupted, " my time is unusually precious to-day. I am leaving the city to-night important ap- pointment in New York." 50 The Fourth Physician She smiled responsively. ' Your fame is spreading." " Oh, yes ! You may remember hearing me speak of Dr. Kindtlieb, the great Ger- man specialist in children's diseases?" 'Yes, indeed! I saw in the papers that he is here in the city, now." " Case of the Stuart child." " Is n't it beautiful to think of that mighty man coming all the way from Berlin to see one dear little girl? " " Oh, yes ! " he agreed impatiently. " But let me proceed!" "Pardon me!" He missed the note of pain in her voice, and hurried on with what he wished to say. "An unusually great honor has come to me. I met Dr. Kindtlieb in the Stuart case. A lucky opportunity enabled me to explain my discovery to him. His mighty intellect grasped it immediately. He took my hand, his eyes full of sympathy, and said, ' It is a 51 The Fourth Physician wonderful thing you have done, Dr. Shep- herd ! Your discovery will take high rank in the history of our profession ! When do you announce it to the world ? ' : "Oh, I am so proud of it all!" And her eyes said more than that. " I replied to Dr. Kindtlieb that I was about ready now to disclose the discovery. Then I explained more fully the treatment. He was deeply impressed. ' Dr. Shepherd, ' he said, ' it has apparently become your priv- ilege to make a discovery that will enable physicians the world over to save countless lives.'" "Do let me call Father! I want him to hear it all!" " No. This is a part of your Christmas gift, and is for you alone. To resume : Dr. Kindtlieb is giving a dinner this evening his farewell dinner to a few prominent phy- sicians appointed by the Medical Society to entertain him while here. Since learning of 52 The Fourth Physician my discovery, he wants me to disclose it at this dinner, that he may share in its discus- sion." " I cannot tell you how glad I am that you have won this splendid recognition! " "Haven't finished yet! Dr. Kindtlieb is leaving the city immediately after this din- ner, on the fast midnight train that reaches New York in time for him to address the Medical Society there to-morrow evening at a meeting especially called to hear him. He sails early next morning for Germany. He has asked me to accompany him to New York, and to share his time before the so- ciety there. I need not add that I quickly accepted this unusual honor!" "I can see you now," the young woman began, her deep eyes eloquent with feeling. " I can see you now, telling the great men of your profession about the wonderful dis- covery you have made!" She was like a young prophetess, as she continued. "Oh, 53 The Fourth Physician the thousands of children and mothers to whose suffering bodies and breaking hearts you are bringing this blessing! And at Christmas-time the day of Him who took the little ones to His own heart! " She touched his sleeve, almost reverently. " To think that your arms are even now reaching around the whole world, bearing this gift!" " That part of it is all right," he acknowl- edged, remembering that surgeons must sub- due mere emotions. "That is all right, of course, but we are digressing, and I must hurry on. Little time to spare, you know, when one is standing at the threshold of an important event in the history of medicine, with men like Kindtlieb waiting, you might say, for my every word I It occurred to me, Elizabeth, that this is a favorable occasion for a more definite understanding between us. I am thirty-two now full time for a physician to contract a suitable marriage." Elizabeth started, in wonder, as a child 54 The Fourth Physician might who sees through a microscope the dainty gossamer of a butterfly's wing changed into coarse, brilliant scales. She rose to her feet. "Father will wish to congratulate you upon the great honor that has come to you." "Let me finish," the physician insisted, and the girl hesitated under his dominating will. "You must know, Elizabeth, of my deep affection for you particularly since my interview with your father." "I know nothing of that!" she cried, in surprise. "I remember now that our conversation took place as we drove to the station in my car the morning he started South. I flatter myself he does not disapprove of my suit. I am bringing it all to you, Elizabeth my professional honor and eminence " " I shall expect more than that ! I want to know that you have a soul! " Her manner brought him as much of sur- 55 The Fourth Physician prise as a successful young physician should permit himself to feel. For a moment his highly trained mind grappled with the phe- nomenon. Then a singular thing occurred; he had the courage and the unshaken nerve to take out his watch, as when he counted the heart-beats of a dying child. "Time is flying, Elizabeth, and time means much to me to us both, just now!" "I tried to tell you a few minutes ago, Livingston, about Dr. Warren's patient who is dying. He has done what he could. You alone, of all the men on earth, can save her now! Won't you stop for just a little while as you are reaching for fame and honor, and hold out your hands your strong, skilful hands in a Christmas benediction upon that poor, unhappy home ? ' ' Dr. Shepherd's present case was develop- ing differently from what his careful prog- nosis had led him to expect. Such incidents stung him always, indicating careless or mis- 56 The Fourth Physician taken work. As a highly trained observer, it was a reflection upon his skill. Some- thing seemed to be eluding him as he turned the subject over in his mind. He recalled cases he had seen where physicians had be- come panic-stricken at some unexpected turn for the worse. Such emotions never con- quered him. This was the time for quick and decisive action ; all his instincts told him that. There were but two things possible in the crisis, and he chose the wrong one. "Elizabeth," he said with professional brevity, " if all the little paupers in the city lay dying, I could not spare time to attend one of them. Why should this fad of the slums continually be coming between us? I am devoting my entire career to saving life thousands of children's lives! Am I not doing my best the best of any man on earth?" " Then, won't you go to that dying child? " " I cannot spare the time, and frankly, if I 57 The Fourth Physician could I would not go. You have heard what I came to tell you. I am expecting an an- swer." "I cannot trust myself to answer you now!" For a moment he studied her carefully, as she stood waiting for him to leave. He bowed distantly, and she saw him go. Her father re-entered the room, and she met him under the chandelier upon which Hilary had carefully hung the mistletoe. Then she burst into tears, and hid her face upon his shoulder. 58 The Fourth Physician DR. SHEPHERD'S offices were upon the top floor of a tall building that shot skyward above humbler neighbors built soon after the great fire. His laboratory oc- cupied the north rooms where nature con- tributed the true, white light so necessary to research, leaving the southern exposure available for reception rooms. He had learned as a boy in the country the value of sunshine and good cheer, and had cunningly utilized this knowledge in arranging his pro- fessional establishment. The pale golden color of the walls made people think of meadow lands in June, even when clouds were heaviest or the western wind floated a veil of smoke over the city. The white enamelled woodwork and the rich, clean- looking furniture were suggestive of sanita- tion. There were a few selected books and 59 The Fourth Physician magazines upon the table. A landscape in oil, excellently hung, had the quality of in- teresting impatient people who studied its trees and wondered how the painter had managed to catch the gentle sway of the summer breeze. Near the entrance stood an attendant's desk, with the usual telephone equipment. A large, sunny waiting-room was devoted to the entertainment of children and contained precisely the things to delight little patients. Sometimes expeditions to the city's parks were abandoned and sub- stantial fees entered upon Dr. Shepherd's books because of this feature. There were fascinating toys of the latest kinds, and a sweet-voiced girl with a talent for games had charge of the room during the hours when the young specialist might be consulted. The private office made you feel better for hav- ing entered it; lest the grim element of his work be overlooked, however, the white silk hangings of a spotless case of ample propor- 60 The Fourth Physician tions were drawn aside with consummate carelessness, and gleaming surgical instru- ments might be seen upon the glass shelves within. Catherine Lewis was an assistant in the laboratory where the discovery that Dr. Kindtlieb was about to honor had been so brilliantly worked out. After taking her degree at one of the universities, she had done post-graduate work in scientific sub- jects, but her father's death altered all of her plans. She entered a training school, completed its course, and became a nurse. One of her first cases brought her to the notice of Dr. Shepherd who chanced to learn of her research work, and was quick to rec- ognize in her the type of laboratory assistant he wanted. For several years she had been in his service, and was deeply absorbed in the discovery. On this Christmas Eve the attendant was ill, and Miss Lewis had taken charge of 61 The Fourth Physician the reception-room. She was a serene and wholesome young woman, and the white uni- form and cap of her school that she still wore loyally, harmonized with other details of the offices. It was five o'clock, and she was an- swering a telephone call : "This is Dr. Shepherd's office. . . . I'm afraid not, madame; the Doctor has an important engagement, and leaves on the midnight train for New York. Will Wed- nesday, at 4:30, be convenient? . . . The name, please? . . . Oh, Mrs. Fairington! Thank you, madame. Wednesday after- noon, at 4 :30." She hung up the receiver with a smile, and was noting the appointment in the en- gagement book, when Dr. Robert Warren entered. "Good-afternoon, Miss Lewis. Is Dr. Shepherd in?" " No, Dr. Warren. He has not been here since morning. But I expect him soon." 62 The Fourth Physician She hesitated for a moment and added, " He will be very busy when he comes. He dines with Dr. Kindtlieb this evening." "Dr. Kindtlieb! Of Berlin?" 'Yes, Doctor. They both leave on the midnight train for New York, where they address a meeting of the Medical Society, notwithstanding it being Christmas. It is their only chance of hearing Dr. Kindtlieb there, as he sails early next morning for home." She could see from Dr. Warren's ex- pression that he was keenly disappointed. "Dr. Kindtlieb is very much interested in the discovery. It is a splendid recognition of Dr. Shepherd's work." "Yes, and he deserves it," Warren re- plied. "It is wonderful! Already I yearn to be administering it to my little patients on the West Side." "It would be dangerous, just now, to entrust the formula to any one not familiar 63 The Fourth Physician with it. But he is rapidly standardizing it, and before long physicians will be using it in every-day practice." "But I need it now!" Warren replied, reverting to the purpose of his call. " And the discovery needs such a test as the case which brings me here! Can you tell me where Dr. Shepherd is?" "Did you inquire at the Children's Hos- pital?" ' Yes. He had not been there since morn- ing." "Is it one of of your own cases, Doc- tor?" "Yes, Miss Lewis. A poor woman's only child. She is far past my skill, and it is important that Dr. Shepherd see her at once. Without him, she will die before midnight." "Perhaps he is at Dr. Kindtlieb's hotel. He is stopping at the Michigan." " I will go there, and if I do not find him, will return." 64 The Fourth Physician VI IT was nearly six o'clock when Dr. Shep- herd reached his office. He handed his fur-lined overcoat to Miss Lewis he was accustomed to being served. "I am late, Miss Lewis. It has been rather a trying day for me." His complacent mastery of self and situa- tion rarely tolerated and never invited sym- pathy. Miss Lewis knew this. " I tried earlier in the afternoon to reach you at the Children's Hospital," she re- marked. "Not been there since morning. One must learn to submit to much, when conse- crating his life to a mighty work." "Yes, Doctor." He was looking over the engagement book, and she noticed that he was beginning to regain his usual good spirits. "Nothing important, I see," he com- 65 The Fourth Physician mented. " Mrs. Fairington Reginald's mamma!" He smiled indulgently. "You remember Reginald ? ' ' "Yes, Doctor; quite well." "Healthy little animal! You told Mrs. Fairington I am called to New York? " "Yes, Doctor." "I see that you made an appointment with her for Wednesday afternoon. It is quite possible that the Medical Society of New York will want to give me a dinner, and that, of course, would delay my return. Should this be the case, I will wire you, and you will postpone all engagements. In doing so, you will naturally furnish full par- ticulars of my absence Dr. Kindtlieb, paper before the New York Society, the din- ner, and all that I It will not be necessary to mention that Dr. Kindtlieb has only recently become er acquainted with me." " I think I understand, Doctor." " I am sure you do," he condescendingly 66 The Fourth Physician agreed. " I shall dress for dinner here, and devote the remaining time to arrangement of data for my paper before the Society in New York. I am not to be disturbed. Of course, if Dr. Kindtlieb should drop in, and er insists upon seeing me personally, you might let me know." And he laughed pleasantly. "However, you need not wait longer than six-thirty. Good-night ! " He crossed over to the door of his pri- vate office. "Oh, yes! I nearly forgot so busy these days, you know. I am rather gratified that you will be in charge of the office during my absence, and shall expect you to be on duty to-morrow. Sorry, if this disturbs any plans you may have for Christmas day, but the newspapers are likely to ask for informa- tion concerning my trip with Dr. Kindtlieb, the discovery, and the New York lecture. Unfortunately, a doctor is not permitted to advertise his business as other men may." 67 The Fourth Physician "Very well, Doctor; I shall be here," she assured him, hiding her disappointment. He had hardly closed the door behind him when Hilary Brooks walked in. He was wrapped about in a huge storm coat, several sizes too large for his frail body, and wore an old-fashioned silk hat, which he removed ceremoniously. "Ebenin', ma'm! Ah is lookin' foh Doc- tah Robert Warren, de charity doctah. Kin you infohm me ef dis is his orfice? " " No ; this is not his office, but he was here a few minutes ago." " Jes' lef, you say, ma'm? Den, Ah mus' bid you good-day." " He is likely to return before very long." "Ef dat is de case, ma'm, Ah suttinly is glad to heah hit ! " He fished into his pocket and produced a letter. ' You see, ma'm, dis am a mos' impohtant matter! Po' little sick chile er-dyin' ovah on de Wes' Side! Marse Calendah de Gunnel, you undahstan', 68 The Fourth Physician ma'm an' Little Miss, an' Doctah War- ren, all ob 'em, been tryin' ter git de bes' chillun's doctah in de city ter 'tend de chile, but 'pear like he kinder side-steppin' de case ! So Marse Calendah he writ dis lettah ter Doctah Warren tellin' him ef he ain' able ter git de ver' bes' doctah, den he is ter hiah de nex' ver' bes' doctah, an' sen' him right ovah ter de little sick chile. Marse Calendah he han' me dis lettah hisse'f, an' 'struct me ter fine Doctah Warren. Ah wah ter come heah ter No. 1866 Dependence Buildin' fu'st, an' ef he ain' heah, ter go on ovah ter de Wes' Side whah de little chile an' her ma lib. Yassum, Marse Calendah allus sen' me when he gotter be suah ob habin' er thing done right!" "I would be glad to deliver your letter to Dr. Warren when he comes, if you care to leave it with me." "Leabe er lettah wid anybody else dat Marse Calendah say Ah is ter pussonally de- 69 The Fourth Physician livah!" he protested. "Ah 'predates yo* cou'tesy, ma'm yassum, Ah suttinly do but Ah'd jes' as soon think ob leavin' you mah beavah!" And he laughed good- naturedly, as he stroked his precious hat. "Won't you be seated?" she asked hos- pitably, her eyes twinkling as she regarded his headgear. It seemed safe to change the subject. "Unusual weather, isn't it?" " Hit sho'ly am ; but den Ah is frequently obsehved dat all weathah am considahed mo* er less unusual." "I think I must have heard of you be- fore." "Dat so, ma'm?" he responded, im- mensely interested. " P'rhaps we is favohed wid mutual 'quaintances." "Dr. Shepherd has often " "'Scuse me foh int'ruptin', ma'm, but what Doctah Shepherd you 'lude ter? " "Dr. Livingston Shepherd this is his office, you know." 70 The Fourth Physician "Doctah Shepherd's orfice! Ah nevah knowed dat!" " Then you did n't notice his name on the door?" Unwittingly she had touched his tender spot. "Well, ma'm, you see when Ah stahts out ter 'complish er puppose, Ah don' nevah seem ter hab no time ter go traipsin' 'round readin' signs on no do's. Ah'se got mo' ter 'complish in dis life dan dat soht ob thing! An' so dis am Doctah Shepherd's orfice! " he mused. " Am he heah? " " Yes, the Doctor is in." "De Lawd be praise'!" The old man's delight on learning of Dr. Shepherd's presence was a puzzle to Miss Lewis. She was about to question him further, when the telephone called her away. It was Mrs. Fairington again, and it seemed important that Dr. Shepherd should see her Reginald before leaving the city. 71 The Fourth Physician " Is he seriously ill? " Miss Lewis inquired, earnestly. His mother was afraid he would be, as the result of an escapade in the park; he had been found tobogganing with forbidden and impossible little boys! His feet were cold when Nursie brought him home, and Mamma felt it necessary that Dr. Shepherd see him at once. Miss Lewis was sympathetic but feared her chief would hardly be able to see the boy, as he was to dine with Dr. Kindtlieb, the eminent specialist from Berlin. But she agreed to disobey orders so far as to permit Mrs. Fairington herself to discuss Regi- nald's case with the Doctor, and switched in the line to the private office. A few mo- ments later the young physician opened the door. "Miss Lewis!" he said, "I have prom- ised Mrs. Fairington to call at her home for a few minutes before leaving the city. Enter 72 The Fourth Physician the charge now I might overlook it on my return from New York." "Will you have the time, Doctor? Your appointment with Dr. Kindtlieb, you know!" " I'll have to take the time. She is appre- hensive about the boy. I will drive out for a few minutes before dinner, and see if we cannot pull him through ! " Hilary Brooks had risen, and was await- ing his opportunity. His manner was so un- obtrusive that Shepherd had not noticed him. "Bring me the last lot of microscopical specimens from the laboratory, Miss Lewis. I shall take them to New York with me." "Pardon me, Doctor have you def- initely decided to take them? You may re- member we were not entirely satisfied with them." "Perhaps you are right," he admitted with some embarrassment; "they are not as 73 The Fourth Physician convincing as I should like them to be. We really should have had another month's re- search along that particular line." He turned, frowning, and saw Hilary. "Why, hello, Hilary!" he cried, momen- tarily forgetting his professional dignity in the surprise of seeing the old man. " What brings you here? " "Ole niggah sorter drap in on you un- awares ob whah he am at ! " "I thought possibly er Colonel Bed- ford had sent you with a message?" Shep- herd suggested. "No, sah; ef Marse Calendah got any word fob you he mighty li'ble ter fotch hit hisse'f. Ah didn't eben know dis wah yo' orfice when Ah come, but now dat Ah is heah, Ah hab er message fob you, sah." "You may deliver it," the young man vouchsafed. " I am very busy." For a moment Hilary stood confused, not 74 I have no discovery to make. // is a failure,' 1 [ Page 1 25 ] The Fourth Physician certain how he should begin. Then his ex- pression brightened. "Doctah, Ah is er old man. Dese pil- grim feet am fas' carryin' me ter de Bordah- land! Foh many er yeah Ah been journey- in' de road dat yo' yo'se'f is jes* beginnin' dat is mah 'polergy foh 'dressin' you now. On de long, long road dere am rocks an' pit- falls, an' gaps whah de bridges been washed out in de darkness ob de night 1 " ' Yes I But what is your message? " "Dis is de message Ah hab foh you: Dere am only one Light dat kin pen'trate de dark- ness ob dat road!" "But why do you bring this this mes- sage tome?" " Doctah, Ah knows dat dyin' chile! Her baby fingahs hab teched mah old black han's an' face! Ah also knows yo' skill! Can't you see, sah? Foh jes' dis night, de Light is off ahed ter you ! " 75 The Fourth Physician With a gesture of impatience, the fashion- able physician walked briskly away. He hesitated, with his hand upon the door ; some- thing forced him to turn and look back at the aged negro. Then with a troubled face he closed the door behind him. " Now some folks might be disoncouraged by de way dat young doctah-man conduct hisse'f," Hilary mused. "De idear ob his wastin' all dat good time gwine up dar ter 'scribe candy-pills foh er little fellah wid nuffin de mattah 'ceptin' er terborgan ride! Howsomevah, dis is er big city, an' Ah reckon we kin fine some uddah feesician foh de sick chile ovah in de Settlement." He felt vanquished, notwithstanding his effort to make the best of the situation. He started back to his corner from which he had so valiantly but so gently sallied forth. A photograph upon the wall arrested his atten- tion. "Dat mos' prob'bly am one ob de uddah 76 The Fourth Physician famous young doctah-men," he commented. " De crit'cism Ah makes ob pictures ob great young men, is dat dey take hit ser hard tryin* ter look great!" Hilary's critical moods never lasted long. Life was too full of beautiful things, of things worth while, to waste time hunting for less than the best. "Ah'se allus had reason'ble good luck mahse'f," he used to tell such of his friends as complained of trifles, " an' Ah don't take no stock in folks dat kicks continuous. Suttin niggah tole me onct dat he been chased an' pursued by misfohtune all his life. Come ter pin him down, Ah finerly discovah dat de wuss thing evah happen ter him consisted ob one of dese heah yaller- jacket bumble bees stingin' de fore laig ob er ole hoss stand- in' in a puddle ob dirty water jes' as dat nig- gah pass by in his Sunday clothes ! " He was too keen and too just an observer of people and things to content himself with 77 The Fourth Physician inaccurate or unfair judgment, and the firm courageous mouth, the keen challenging eyes of the young man in the photograph were not overlooked. " Too bad Ah can't see his uddah ear," he reflected with an impulse to turn the print around. " Ah'se er great han' foh studyin* folkses' lef ' ears. Lot ob human nature stick out all ovah er man's lef ear ! " He was absorbed in conjecture as to what sort of a defence the famous young man on the wall would make against the forces that had attacked Dr. Shepherd that afternoon, when Calendar Bedford and his daughter entered the reception room. Reinforcements had arrived, and Hilary welcomed them. "Marse Calendah!" he began. "You nevah tole me dat No. 1866 Dependence Buildin' wah Dr. Shepherd's orfice! Jes* bline, staggahin' niggah luck gimme de chance ter see him ! " "Is he here now?" Bedford inquired. 78 The Fourth Physician " Yassah, he heah." "Have you found Dr. Warren?" " No, sah ; but he expected heah ver* soon, too." "Then I shall probably see him myself. You hurry on over to little Jeannette's home, and leave the letter for him there." "Yessah." It was not Bedford's first call at Dr. Shep- herd's offices. "Rather a cheerful place, is it not?" he remarked to his daughter. " The laboratory is the interesting part of it that is a real work-shop! The rest of the establishment always gave me the feeling of being in a sort of conservatory, devoted to unnatural growths in an unnatural atmosphere." He felt that Elizabeth needed diversion. On her first appeal he had refused to bring her to the place, knowing how hard it was for her to ask it, but she had convinced him that it would be harder not to come. He 79 The Fourth Physician was chatting about Miss Lewis and her part of the work when Dr. Shepherd emerged from his consulting room. For a moment he paused wondering ; then he advanced with cool, professional courtesy. "How do you do, Colonel Bedford Miss Bedford! Neither requiring my pro- fessional services, I hope?" ' Yes, but not for ourselves! " Bedford re- plied shortly. " I have gathered from Eliza- beth something of your attitude in regard to well, in regard to that dying child over in the slums. There must have been some mis- understanding. Tell me what all of this busi- ness is about!" "Perhaps Miss Bedford would prefer to have you accept her view of the er the misunderstanding.' ' " She has told me as much as she cares to have me know." " Our purpose in calling on him may not be quite clear to Dr. Shepherd," Elizabeth 80 The Fourth Physician ventured. "It concerns little Jeannette no one else!" " I have explained to your daughter, Colo- nel Bedford, that I do not care for the work that seems of especial interest to her. We have often discussed the matter, and I trust you will not misunderstand me when I tell you that my time just now is most valuable. I have an important " When a young man is patiently explain- ing how precious his time is, nothing is more irritating than to be interrupted, and Dr. Shepherd stopped impatiently as Miss Lewis came from the laboratory. Bedford ad- vanced to greet her, with the deferential courtesy of the old school. "A Merry Christmas to you, Miss Lewis!" " And to you, Colonel Bedford! " "My dear," her father said, turning to Elizabeth, "I want you to meet Miss Lewis." 81 The Fourth Physician The two young women greeted each other. "Miss Lewis is planning the pure milk equipment that the little Mission Church is to have. How is your work progressing?" "Quite well, indeed." Then she noticed her employer's expression. "There is one detail I would like to ask you about, Colonel Bedford. Would you mind stepping into the laboratory for a few minutes?" Bedford looked puzzled, but followed her from the room. " It was very hard for me to come ! " Eliza- beth said, when she and Shepherd were alone. "Nothing less than that dying girl could have brought me!" " I see nothing to be gained by our resum- ing the discussion of the case of Dr. War- ren's patient." "Oh, there is so much that might be gained! A child's life a mother's heart! Won't you go to them? " 82 The Fourth Physician "It would mean disappointment to Dr. Kindtlieb and the other physicians who will be waiting to hear of my discovery. To ad- minister my specific to the child might even result in missing the midnight train and the address before the New York Society. I cannot consider it for a moment! " "Don't you think it more important to save that little life than that your discovery be announced hastily ? You told me not long ago, that it would take several months of hard work before the formula might safely be used by other physicians." He flushed almost guiltily, as he glanced around to reassure himself that Miss Lewis had not heard what Elizabeth had said. "I have worked hard since then," he re- plied, "and am now reasonably confident that it should be announced under the pres- ent favorable conditions." " I am afraid you do not fully understand that you have never seen such a case as the 83 The Fourth Physician one we have been discussing. For a long time it has seemed to me that you will not com- pletely appreciate the physician's sacred ob- ligation to humanity, until you, too, have learned to suffer!" " I have learned to suffer," he answered with almost childish simplicity that she had never seen in him before. " I learned it early in life. As a boy I saw my own mother taken as I clung to her!" With a glad, surprised smile upon her face she looked tenderly into his eyes. " Poor boy ! " she murmured. " I would be glad, if I could, to do as you wish, Elizabeth for the sake of what you have been to me. But I cannot I do not see how I can!" She laid her hand gently on his arm. For a moment she felt that she had won, and no event of her life had ever given her such hap- piness. But the old, hard look came back into his face. 84 The Fourth Physician "I am sorry it is impossible," he said in a tone of finality, as Bedford returned from the laboratory. "Come, Elizabeth, we must go!" he said, offering his hand to Shepherd. " Good-bye, my boy!" The physician bowed them out. Miss Lewis found him pacing back and forth across the floor when she came in with some small strips of glass in her hands. She stood looking at him in surprise, but he did not seem aware of her presence. It was not until Dr. Warren entered at the hall door that he raised his head. " Do you wish to see me, Dr. Warren? " he inquired in a chilly tone. " Yes, very much, Dr. Shepherd. I have a patient, desperately ill, whom I wish you to see." "Another of your West Side paupers, I presume?" Shepherd remarked with inten- tional insolence. 85 The Fourth Physician " It is a little girl, who is dying! " Warren replied. ' You will find the case of especial interest " " Especial rot! How often have I told you that I will visit none of your cases? If you wanted me to see your patient, why didn't you bring her to my clinic this morning? " "Perhaps you did not understand me fully, Doctor. I explained that she is dying. I have done what I could for her, but I know, and so do you, that you are the only physi- cian on earth who can save such a case! " 'Your opinion is most gratifying, I am sure, but apparently you are not advised of the value of my time." ' Yes, I know you are a busy man." "I am to dine with Dr. Kindtlieb and other eminent physicians this evening, after which I am to accompany Dr. Kindtlieb to New York where we both address the Medi- cal Society upon the subject of my discovery. 86 The Fourth Physician Under such conditions, it impresses me as presumptuous for you to ask me to take charge of the case of a pauper child some- where over in your sacred slums. It is ab- surd, Dr. Warren quite absurd! " "Dr. Shepherd," Warren said patiently, in the tone of one who is about to begin all over again, "it seems to me ' Again the man of fashion interrupted him. " I am busily engaged just now. I have no wish to be other than courteous to you for the sake of old times, and all that but really, you must excuse me now! " The slum doctor flushed angrily. "I refuse to be dismissed by you in this insolent manner, and under such conditions ! Now, you will listen to me ! There is some- thing, or ought to be something beyond our mere personal impulses, deeply concerned in this matter." "What, pray?" 87 The Fourth Physician "Fraternal obligations, professional ethics " 'You will excuse me from discussing ethics with you! Suppose we resume the sub- ject sometime when I have nothing else on hand?" And Dr. Shepherd stepped to the corridor door, which he swung open mean- ingly. Warren followed him as if to leave; then he suddenly slammed the door, and stood be- fore it with folded arms, his eyes blazing dangerously. "What does this mean?" Shepherd de- manded angrily. "What does it mean? You poor, be- f eathered cockerel ! You, who have scratched up a priceless jewel " " Leave this place ! Leave immediately I warn you!" The laboratory assistant stood transfixed. She had never seen her employer angry be- 88 The Fourth Physician fore, and now his clenched fist seemed ready to strike. Warren had no intention of leaving. He had calmed down, and his voice was cold with bitter denunciation. ' You miserable imitation of a real physi- cian! " he began, when the other man pointed meaningly at Miss Lewis. "Remember, sir; there is a woman pres- ent!" " I also remember there is a woman pres- ent at the bedside of that dying child. A pitiable, forsaken woman, struggling alone for that little life!" Shepherd felt that at least he had diverted from himself the ill-bred comments of the person from across the river. "You may recall the fact, Dr. Warren, that I used to warn you that you would never be a success in life until you learned to control your temper ! " 89 The Fourth Physician "Oh, leave me out of it!" Warren sug- gested wearily. Then he suddenly reached out and took Shepherd firmly by the arm, and, as if he were a school-boy led him to a chair. "Sit down ! " he commanded. " I want to talk to you." " What do you mean, if I may venture a question in my own office? " ' You are drifting, Shepherd, drifting! I tell you this I who since boyhood have paid homage to your marvellous nature since manhood, to your wonderful skill! " 90 The Fourth Physician VII DR. SHEPHERD sat quietly for a few moments. Then he looked up into the face of his old friend. ' You have never understood me, Warren. Our viewpoints are different. You have been content with small things, while I have reached for the heights! You attack my defences bluntly, and assume because I am too busy to go with you, that I have no inter- est in the child or perhaps, for exactness, I should say in the child's disease. For reasons that must be clear to you, it is impossible quite impossible for me to attend your patient. But I am not willing that her iso- lated case be lost to science. May I ask you," he inquired professionally, "when, in this instance, you apprehend final dissolu- tion?" " She will die before midnight unless you go to her ! " 91 The Fourth Physician " Let us not discuss further the possibility of my going to her." He rose and went to a desk, opened a compartment and took out a blank which he examined with pride before offering it to Warren. "Now, Doctor, here is a printed form that I myself have pre- pared. You will doubtless return to the child. I desire that you record the history of the case and preserve it for me until my return from New York." Warren ran his eye over the form. 'You will carefully observe and note in the space provided for that purpose, if death be preceded by convulsions." A look of horror came into the slum doc- tor's face. He folded the blank as if to pocket it, then deliberately tore it into small pieces, which he held away from him as he dropped them to the floor. "My God! What is our profession com- ing to?" "Dr. Warren, are you losing your sanity? 92 The Fourth Physician Or did you lose it years ago when you de- clined my offer of a partnership, to make your reputation among paupers and crooks?" The man from the Nineteenth Ward was too discouraged to retaliate, and started to leave. " Let me get back to my dying pauper ! I will not detain you longer ! " " One moment, before you go. Now that the subject has been introduced, let me in- quire, as I have often wished to do before, what was the real cause of your deserting your excellent professional prospects to de- vote your life to er charity?" 'You were the cause of it you, more than anybody else ! " Warren retorted hotly. "Really " " It was in the second year after we gradu- ated the year you succeeded in attracting society's attention to your splendid gifts. It was on Christmas day, and oh, how cold it 93 The Fourth Physician was ! We had just left your office after dis- cussing the partnership you had proposed. I thought your terms hard, but had promised an answer next day. We parted at the side- walk where you took a cab for the home of a new-found friend where you had been invited to dine." " I lost no time in seeking practice then," Shepherd put in complacently; "now it seeks me." " Within a few blocks of where I left you, in passing a building, since torn down, I noticed in the partial shelter of its old-fash- ioned stoop, a woman a woman, mind you in that blizzard, with a babe at her breast. She looked up to me in piteous appeal and then to the shoestrings she had for sale. Fresh from your influence, I recalled that rusty old saw of yours to the effect that the unworthy get the bounty because those who need it are too proud to accept help. But the sight of that child was too much for me, 94 The Fourth Physician and I stopped to give the woman something. Then I remembered that I had only a dollar, and felt that I could not afford to give it all." As a hint to his visitor Shepherd reached into his pocket, brought out a pair of gloves, and began to draw them on. " I went to the little restaurant where you and I used to dine before you became fash- ionable, and had my Christmas dinner alone, but with that woman and her babe upon my conscience. I took what was left of the dol- lar and went back to the place where I had left them, but they were gone gone, I tell you!" " Doubtless to a better dinner than yours had been, if I correctly remember the place you had patronized!" " I found her bunch of shoestrings driven around a post where they were still whipping and threshing in that zero gale ! Next morn- ing, the coroner's physician, summoned else- 95 The Fourth Physician where, telephoned me to conduct a post-mor- tem at the morgue. May Christ forgive me ! Oh, may Christ forgive me! It was she still clasping that starved babe to her frozen breast!" Dr. Shepherd's manner suddenly changed. He stepped to the door of his private office where he stood with his partly gloved hands clasped behind him. "I thought a good deal about you, and about myself, before I finished that post-mor- tem," Warren continued, "and I decided there were people in this city who needed me more than you did. And, strangely enough, as I took the babe from those frozen arms, I recalled your having told me when we were in college that your own mother's life might have been spared if the physician had gone promptly to her, instead of going to a less urgent case at a rich man's house." He walked slowly to one of the windows, as a The Fourth Physician new thought came to him. ' There is another claim upon you, Shepherd," he re- marked without looking around to see what effect his words might have upon the other man. "What is this other claim?" Shepherd asked in a low and altered tone. " The wishes of the woman who loves you." Shepherd started forward impulsively with outstretched hand, but the friend of his boyhood had drawn aside the draperies, and stood dejectedly looking down upon the bril- liantly lighted street. The eminent young specialist began me- chanically to draw off his gloves, which fell to the floor at his feet; he dropped into a chair and buried his face in his hands. A tower in the distance caught the eye of the man from the West Side. It was a splendid structure, outlined with gleaming lights and surmounted by a golden figure of 97 The Fourth Physician Diana which turned slowly this way and that, trimming itself to the fury of the winter gale. " How much we are doing to-day," War- ren said, as though thinking aloud, "how much in the name of Education, Industry, Charity! God grant we may learn to do more in the name of Love ! " He had not intended the words for Shep- herd in fact, they were not meant for any one, but Dr. Shepherd took them into his heart, and full of gentle resolution arose and went into his private room, where Miss Lewis followed him. He deftly selected from the glass case certain instruments which had proven themselves worthy of his skill. " Bring my best equipment for administer- ing the discovery," he directed. " Also a sur- geon's gown I shall have no time to change my clothes." The instruments were quickly dropped into a case, and he returned to the reception room. Miss Lewis brought from 98 The Fourth Physician the laboratory a leather bag and a gown of white clinging material loosely folded. For the moment Shepherd had forgotten about the other doctor, his highly trained mind concentrating upon the work before him. With professional foresight, he open- ed the bag and glanced over its contents. As he took the gown, a shadow of indecision crossed his face. But his laboratory assist- ant already had brought his overcoat, and with something akin to joy, was holding it for him. He dropped the gown into the bag, as Dr. Warren turned gloomily from the window. "Come, Bob!" the physician of fashion commanded. "We must hurry! I shall go with you." 99 The Fourth Physician VIII IT seemed to Warren that a great hope had been realized in a most sudden and unceremonious manner. Old Hilary him- self could not have shown more of the spirit of the faithful, willing servant, as he eagerly took the heavy bag from Dr. Shepherd's hand. Arm in arm, as though they were boys again, they went out together. Miss Lewis followed to the corridor door and stood looking at the shaft where an ele- vator had taken them aboard and dropped swiftly out of sight. One by one, other cars bobbed up, and on the stroke of a signal bell were gone ; but she remained standing in the doorway, until the insistent clamor of the telephone called her to her desk. "This is Dr. Shepherd's office," she answered. "Who is speaking? ... A newspaper reporter? . . . No, Dr. 100 The Fourth Physician Shepherd is not in. He has just left on an important case. ... I cannot say whether he will accompany Dr. Kindtlieb to New York it will depend upon his little patient's condition ! He will not leave her in danger even for so great an honor as Dr. Kindtlieb has conferred upon him ! . . . I cannot tell you more. Good-bye ! " It struck her with almost comical direct- ness as she replaced the receiver upon its hook, that her "interview" for the news- papers, as prepared in advance, had been vigorously blue-pencilled. She was smiling at the thought when Dr. Warren returned. "Miss Lewis," he cried eagerly, "Dr. Shepherd has hurried on to little Jeannette, and sent me back to ask you to join him there he will need you." She rose responsively. "I am also to telephone his apologies to Dr. Kindtlieb. He will have to cut out the dinner!" 101 The Fourth Physician She had just gotten the Michigan on the line when a big, handsome man of Teutonic appearance entered the room. He was about fifty-five, with heavy white hair and square-trimmed beard. He glanced about through the thick lenses of his small foreign- looking gold spectacles. "Iss Dr. Shepherd in?" he asked with a shade of German accent. " I am Dr. Kindt- lieb." Miss Lewis put aside the telephone and explained that Dr. Shepherd had just left the office. " Ah, well! It iss not of importance. He iss to be my guest at dinner. I shall see him then." She looked over to Warren. " Dr. Kindtlieb, this is Dr. Warren. He has a message for you." The mighty German bowed courteously. "Do I understand that you, too, are a physician?" 102 The Fourth Physician ' Yes, Dr. Kindtlieb. I was about to tele- phone you that Dr. Shepherd will be unable to dine with you this evening. He has a little patient who is very low in fact, her condition is such that it may prevent his joining you on the midnight train." " Ah, I hope not! That would be a disap- pointment!" " I think I may say, sir, that it would be the greatest disappointment of Dr. Shep- herd's life." "An unusual man, iss he not? And his discovery " he inquired cautiously, "you know of that?" "Yes, Dr. Kindtlieb." "Wonderful! In passing to my hotel, I chanced to see his name upon the window there. The wish came to me to see the labo- ratory where his discovery has been worked out. I find myself deeply interested in what you tell me of this latest case of his. He will administer his treatment to the child ? " 103 The Fourth Physician "Yes, Dr. Kindtlieb. She is a poor, fatherless little girl in a destitute home in what is sometimes called our 'slums' if you know the word. I found her this morn- ing far beyond my skill, and I came to Dr. Shepherd, who was dressing for your dinner. It is to this case he has gone." He saw the blue eyes of the great man brighten. " It iss the quality he has shown that adds much to the skill of American practition- ers!" Miss Lewis had donned her wraps and hat, and Warren saw that she was ready to go. " Pardon me, Dr. Kindtlieb, while I write an address. Miss Lewis here, who is Dr. Shepherd's laboratory assistant, is hurrying to join him at the home of the little patient." He wrote hastily upon a card which he laid upon the table for Miss Lewis, who was locking her desk. 104 The Fourth Physician " Will you also oblige me with Dr. Shep- herd's address?" Dr. Kindtlieb asked. " Should it happen that I do not see him again, I shall wish to write him from Berlin. Ah, I see several cards upon the table here may I take one?" "Certainly, sir!" Warren replied, turn- ing for a word of direction to Miss Lewis. " I must not longer detain you," Dr. Kindtlieb said, as he took Warren's hand. He bowed to Miss Lewis and left. "Now, Doctor, the address, please!" "I put it on the table for you, but it is gone!" he cried in surprise. "I see what became of it, now! Dr. Kindtlieb has taken the wrong card." "Write another, please!" she asked, with the eager haste of a girl. " I must lose no time to-night!" Warren smiled. "Why should I have written it at all? We are both going there ! " 105 The Fourth Physician IX TT was eleven o'clock and Miss Lewis * stood at the cook-stove in Mary Walk- er's home. She heard footsteps on the gal- lery outside, followed by a knock. "Come in, Dr. Warren!" she called. There was no response. She crossed the room and opened the door. Hilary Brooks stood at the threshold holding, with exag- gerated effort, a large hamper, from which rose a small, gayly dressed Christmas tree, partly obscuring the eager old face. He was generously wrapped, even for so cold a night, and seemed embarrassed that his precious freight prevented the prompt removal of his hat. "Ah hopes you will pahdon me, ma'm, foh de retention ob mah beavah he began. " Certainly," Miss Lewis replied. " Come in." 106 The Fourth Physician Hilary entered. "How am de po' little sick chile?" he in- quired anxiously. "We feel greatly encouraged, but she is very ill." " De Lawd be praise' foh any encourage- ment when er chile am sick! " "Won't you put down your basket? It must be heavy." "Thank you, ma'm; thank you kinely. Jes' er few things "he explained, carefully placing the hamper upon the table and cere- moniously removing his hat, "jes' er few things what Little Miss an' Marse Calendah de Gunnel, ma'm sent foh de chile an' her ma. Leastwise, Marse Calendah call 'em er few, but 'cording ter de heft ob 'em, dey am many!" " Did you carry them far? " "No, ma'm. De sho-fer offahed ter he'p me up de stairs wid de basket, but 107 The Fourth Physician 'membahin' he gotter hurry back wid de car, ole niggah tote hit erlone." " Come over to the stove and warm your- self. Are you not cold ?" As if suddenly recalling something, Hil- ary began energetically to unbutton his ulster. "Ah wouldn't want ter 'zactly say dat, ma'm! Fact is, Ah'se jes' de op'site aldo hit sho'ly am er chilly night! One ob de suahest specifics foh cole evah prescribe' by Madeira Medicker one ob de famous ole doctahs, you know, ma'm am vig'rous ex'cise, well rubbed in ! " 'You feel safe then?" she inquired smilingly. ; 'Yassum, Ah suttinly do," he assured her, glancing at the basket. " Dat is, ef ole Doc' Medicker kin be depended on. How- somevah, Ah is allus made hit er rule ter sto' up lots ob preserve strength foh Chris'mus time we needs hit at ouah house! " 108 The Fourth Physician " It is a busy time for most of us." "Yassum. Hol'days allus gib me pal- p'tation." "Palpitation of the heart?" Miss Lewis asked, with professional concern. " Wusser'n dat palp'tation ob de foot," he corrected her seriously. He had taken off his coat and was beginning to unwind from neck and ears what appeared to be endless layers of red comforter. " Now, you go right erlong wid yo' oc'pation, ma'm." " I will. Take a chair and rest yourself." "Ef you quite suah you'll 'scuse me, Ah will ervail mahself ob yo' cou'tesy. Coming up dem steps jes' now Ah suttinly feel right smart like Ole Map hisse'f." "Old Map?" "De man what tote de earf on he shoul- dah." "You mean Atlas?" " Yassum ; Ah 'membahs now Marse Cal- endah do call him dat paht ob de time," he 109 The Fourth Physician admitted, somewhat taken aback. "'Pears like de ole fellah had two names, but whed- dah hit wah Map Atlas er Atlas Map, Ah disremembahs hearin' Marse Calendah say." He had completed the removal of his com- forter, and was rolling it up with deliberate dignity. ' Yassum, Little Miss tell de sho- fer ter hurry home wid de car, an' den she tell me ter wait here which ef you has no erjections, Ah'll do." "None at all! You mustn't mind my being busy." " Go right erlong, ma'm," he urged, carefully depositing the comforter in his hat. Then, as if asked a question, he continued, "No'm, Little Miss nevah say why de car gotter go back, but dis ole nig- gah know, jes' de same! She mean dat her an' Marse Calendah gwine follah dat bas- ket. Dat is, ef de comp'ny we got at ouah house evah do rec'lect dey got homes ob deir own! Yassum, Little Miss an' Marse 110 The Fourth Physician Calendah mighty li'ble ter bring up de rear ob dis percession." And he chuckled softly at the idea. ' You mean that Miss Bedford is coming here this dreadful night ? " "Why, ma'm, dat am' nuffin foh her an' Marse Calendah ter do! You see, us bein' Bedfordses ob Hanovah County, we kin af- f ohd ter go whah we pleases, widout well, widout injerin' ouah perfessional rep'ta- tions. Ah ain' nevah seen one ob ouah family what wah n't allus ready ter back up deir pity wid er ack ob kineness. Marse Calendah of 'en say, jes' like his pa say be- fo' him, dat dere ain' no real symp'thy in de worl' widout effoht behine hit. Yassum, dat what they bof e say, an' what 's mo', dat 's de way dey bof e ack! " "And it's the kind of sympathy people need over in this part of the city, Mr. " Hilary rose quickly and bowed with old- fashioned courtesy. Ill The Fourth Physician " Mah name am Hilary Hilary Brooks, ma'm. An' Ah trus' yo' will pahdon me, but Ah don' nevah expec' no white folks ter call me Mistdh. Sech as perfers ter mention mah name wid er entitlement mos' gene'lly calls me Uncle Hilary." "Very well, Uncle Hilary, I'm going to ask you to set this pan outside the window until it cools a little." " Suttinly!" Hilary cried, rising respon- sively. "Wid de greates' ob felickity!" He cautiously raised the sash, set the pan on the sill, and closed down the window with great haste. " Ah is not infohmed concern- in' de ingregiums ob dat pan," he remarked, rubbing his hands briskly, "but whatevah hit am will sho'ly cool dis kine ob er night! Had n't Ah better stan' heah ready ter grab hit back when you gib de wohd, befo' hit is plumb frizz?" " Oh, it won't freeze that quickly! I'll tell you in plenty of time. It must have been 112 The Fourth Physician hard for you to accustom yourself to our severe Northern winters." ' Yassum, it wah, at fu'st. But den Ah allus wraps mahse'f up, as you kin see foh yo'self," and he waved his hand compre- hensively toward his ulster, comforter, and hat. "Ah reckon mos' South'n folks has ter git used ter No'th'n ways when dey (come up heah, jes' like No'th'n folks does when dey go Souf. Ah foun' dat out de fu'st yeah me an' Marse Calendah come up heah. De feeshin' off'n de pier wah mighty good in dem days, an' Ah nevah could git enough ob hit. Ah got 'quainted in dat way wid er generman dat uster feesh considah- ble hisse'f. Ah'd noticed de sof, low way he allus spoke, an' feelin' compliment'ry one day when Ah caught de bigges' old perch dat evah come outer de lake, Ah up an' tole dis generman dat he talk like er Southe'nah. You may know we is right proud ob de way we talk in de Souf. ' De troof is,' de gener- 113 The Fourth Physician man answah, ' Ah had er ter'ble spell ob dip- theery las' wintah, an' hit played de ver' ole thundah wid mah voice 1' Ah reckon dat wah 'bout de wuss thing evah happen ter me up heah! But ain't you ready foh dat pan, now?" " Not yet. When it cools a little more I'll take it in to the doctor." "Ah'se er great han' foh doctahs, ma'm hadder lot ob dealin's wid 'em! Back in Hanovah County, Ah knowed er suttin fee- sician dat hahdly evah los' er case. Ob cou'se," he qualified carefully, "ob cou'se, when his patients gotter be er hunderd, er hunderd an' ten anywhah 'roun' dat age onct in er while dey'd sorter gib de old doc- tahdeslip!" "I'd call him a successful practitioner!" "Yassum, he sho'ly wah am yit! An' Doctah Fred'rick nigh on ter er hunderd hisse'f by now!" " How do you account for it?" 114 The Fourth Physician " Well, ma'm, hits been er long time sence he tooken his die-plomah, an' maybe as doc- tahs go nowerdays he ain't up ter what we call de las' minute. But he make up foh technical 'ficiencies wid er fu'st-rate mixtuah ob hahd wuck an' prayah. He 's er man ob 'You must be a man of faith, yourself!" "Ah tries ter be! Good Book say ef we got de faith ob er little chile we kin cas' de Alleghany Mountains inter de sea. Hit nevah seem ter make no dif 'rence ter Doctah Fred'rick wheddah hit wah er real moun- tain, er jes' one ob dese little ole mole-hills ob mis'ry he allus gene'lly foun' er way ob disposin' ob hit. Dere 's er powah in prayah, ma'm!" " I think you are right, Uncle Hilary." "Yassum," he agreed with convincing modesty, "Ah mos' allus is right erbout mattahs ob faith, 'caze Ah is learn' ter cas' out doubt. De Lawd gwinter do what am 115 The Fourth Physician right, an' He gwinter show us de Way! Dat 's why Ah so suah de little sick chile in dar gwine ter git well. Little Miss an' Marse Calendah been prayin' foh her, too. Dey wah not aware ob mah observance, but all f roo de dinnah ter-night Ah see 'em ! De 'spression ob Marse Calendah's face, an' de glisten ob tears in Little Miss' eyes, wah prayah! Ah'se of 'en noticed dat whatevah Marse Calendah go inter, he go pow'ful strong! Now, wid yo' permission, ma'm, Ah'll jes' straighten out dis little Chris'mus tree make suah de candles am all right." With nimble fingers, he adjusted the toys and tinsel. He then produced a match, and one by one, tiny stars of light shone forth from the branches of the tree. As he fin- ished, he heard sounds from the sick-room. It was hard to recognize the low, anxious voice, which was that of Dr. Shepherd. He was calling Miss Lewis. Hilary gazed, per- plexed, in its direction. 116 The Fourth Physician "Miss Lewis!" "Yes, Doctor! Don't let this boil over, Uncle Hilary!" " No'm, Ah won't." He took the spoon and began stirring, as the nurse stepped to the door. "Has Dr. Warren returned?" " Foh de Lawd' sake! " Hilary gasped, as he dropped the spoon to the floor. He heard Miss Lewis explaining that Dr. Warren was not yet back. "Dat suttinly soun 3 like Doctah Shep- herd's voice ! " He picked up the spoon and resumed stirring. " Let me know as soon as he comes." " Yes, Doctor." She hurried back to the stove. "We are ready now for the pan you set outside." "Yassum; suttinly, ma'm!" Intent upon the matter at hand and forgetting even doctors, Hilary opened the window, as if 117 The Fourth Physician rescuing the survivors of an Arctic expe- dition. The north gale whistled into the room, as he grasped the utensil, which he jostled apprehensively. " Ser he'p me good- ness, dem ingregiums am' frizz arfter all!" Miss Lewis left the room, and the old man drew his chair up to the stove, closing his eyes in meditation. Dr. Warren entering from the street, thought him asleep and shut the door gently. But when he turned, Hil- ary had risen. "Ebenin', Doctah Warren ! 'Low meter he'p you, sah!" But the physician was chilled and did not lay aside his overcoat. He relinquished the small parcels he carried, and advanced upon the stove, holding his hands in its warmth. " Pahdon me, sah, but Doctah Shepherd desiahs yo' presence in de nex' room, when you is limbahed up yo' fingahs. Ah undah- stan's de little sick chile am much improved. But Ah'll have ter arsk you ter 'scuse me 118 The Fourth Physician now, sah! Ah heahs Marse Calendah's car outside!" With astonishing activity, he swaddled head and ears in his comforter. Almost merrily Dr. Warren watched him, and when he had gone, took up the small parcels from the table and started to join his associate. It had been a rare night for him, following a day of loss and gain. His nature, quickened rather than blunted by the life of sacrifice he had led, responded sympathetically to the conditions about him. Confidently surrender- ing the responsibility of his patient to the skilful young physician in whose discovery he had the faith of a child, he had the oppor- tunity to review the events of the afternoon. The exultation he felt in the thought that little Jeannette would recover tempered slightly the belief that Elizabeth Bedford was lost to him. Strangely enough, his mind had not dwelt upon the part he him- self had played in the affair. And, had he 119 The Fourth Physician not regained the friend of his boyhood had not a child's life been saved! One of the packages he held in his hand contained a Christmas offering for the little patient. He had scribbled upon it a few words indicating that it was from Dr. Shepherd and himself. He even wondered what Jeannette would say when it was given to her. Then he smiled at the thought that for once in his busy life, he had ceased to be a man of sci- ence and was privileged to be for the time, at least, a man of sentiment and of dreams. He was smiling gratefully at the thought when the other physician met him. Warren was not prepared for what he saw. The splendid color of robust health had faded from Shepherd's face. His features were drawn with pain and disappointment, but his eyes were calm as if he, too, were bearing a cross up Calvary's rugged height. The surgeon's gown he wore fell in loose folds about him, as he stood in the doorway. He 120 The Fourth Physician drew Warren toward the room where the child lay. " Come, Bob ! " he whispered. " We may at least close those baby eyes " " You don't mean " ' Yes. She is leaving us." "But the discovery your discovery, Shepherd!" " Useless worse than useless ! If we only had the time I wasted!" Then a gleam of hope lighted his face. " Bob," he implored, "you can do something! You, of all the men on earth! Come and save her! Save her!" 121 The Fourth Physician X "T/'ASSAH, Ah'se hadder lot of deal- * in's wid doctahs! 'Low me ter take yo' beavah, sah!" And Hilary extended his hand for the important-looking hat that Dr. Kindtlieb wore when he entered Mary Walker's home. " Ah reckon you is heeard ob Doctah Fred'rick Doctah Fred'rick ob Hanovah County, sah ? " " No, I think not. It iss Dr. Shepherd I wish to find. Iss he here?" "Oh, yassah, he heah! Ah'll jes' 'nounce yo' 'ribal, sah ! Shall Ah mention any name in pa'tic'lah er maybe he expectin' you?" "My name is Kindtlieb Dr. Kindtlieb." "Name quite f'miliah, sah! Marse Cal- endah de Gunnel onct spoke ob you. 'Scuse me whilest Ah 'prise Doctah Shep- herd you is heah." He tapped lightly on the door, which Miss Lewis opened. " Will you 122 The Fourth Physician kinely 'nounce ter Doctah Shepherd de 'ribal of Doctah Doctah oh, de famous German doctah, you know, ma'm ! " The two physicians in the tiny bedroom heard what Hilary said, and came to the door. "Dr. Kindtlieb!" Shepherd exclaimed in astonishment. "Not expecting me, I seel My blunder in taking the wrong card made it possible to join you here. And you haf Dr. Warren also with you!" Incidentally, he inquired of the sick child as if her recovery already was assured. Then he scanned their faces more closely. "Ah, I see it iss not so well with her!" Shepherd looked steadily into his eyes. " She is dying," he said. " But the discovery ! You haf not admin- istered it?" "Yes. It is a failure!" " Will you see her, Dr. Kindtlieb? " War- 123 The Fourth Physician ren's eager voice begged, as he turned to the mighty foreigner. "Ah, yes! Indeed, I will!" He took Warren's arm, and followed by the crushed and humiliated Shepherd they passed into the child's room. It was not until they had gone that Hilary seemed to realize the hopelessness of the situ- ation. He was stupefied with astonishment, and Miss Lewis found him shaking his head gloomily. But when he saw her, he bright- ened up in his quick, responsive way. 'Yassum; dat's de big German doctah. How did he git heah ? Pray ah! " " But even he can do nothing now! " "Ah reckon you is mistaken 'bout dat, ma'm! You'll see! De little sick chile gwine git well! Thousan' times de Lawd is answahed dis ole niggah's suppercations. You sho'ly ain't gittin' de idear He gwine turn no deaf ear ter Little Miss let 'lone Marse Calendah!" 124 The Fourth Physician In a pitiably short while the three physi- cians, in single file, walked slowly from the scene of the heart-breaking, heart-gladden- ing combat as old and as mysterious as life itself. " You were right, Dr. Shepherd ah, yes, quite right 1 Nothing can save her now." Dr. Kindtlieb took up his hat, which Hilary had forgotten to hand him. "Come, my car iss waiting below ! With haste, there yet iss time to catch the midnight train! " "The midnight train?" Shepherd re- peated vaguely. " Yes. You haf done what you could for the child. It iss important that we take that train, else we will be too late to announce your discovery." " I have no discovery to announce. It is a failure." "Ah, perhaps it iss not so bad as that! Come, let us go ! " A new and biting fear laid hold of War- 125 The Fourth Physician ren, as he watched closely the friend of his boyhood. "We must fight it out, Livingston! Our duty lies here! " Dr. Kindtlieb stood waiting. Shepherd made a step as if to join him, then looked be- seechingly to Warren, and hesitated. But it was not until he saw the strange, compel- ling face of Calendar Bedford's house serv- ant that he turned resolutely and began again his fight for the life of the child. 126 The Fourth Physician XI AS Hilary had hinted to Miss Lewis, vis- itors at Colonel Bedford's house some- times forgot that they had homes of their own. It was late when the last guest left that Christmas Eve, and neither Elizabeth nor her father waited to change the clothes they wore, but wrapping themselves warmly were soon on their way to Mary Walker's home in the city's back yard. Hilary joined them at the foot of the rickety stairs. " Ah suttinly glad you-all is come, Marse Calendah ! " he cried, as he unbolted the car door. " How is the child? " was his master's first question. "Ah reckon de doctahs is considahble worried, sah. But Ah is suah she gwine git well." He followed them up the steps, and 127 The Fourth Physician with almost boyish earnestness directed their attention to the lighted tree. "Well, sah!" and he stood admiring the gay shapeliness of the emblem of the Day of the Birth and the Day of the Death. "Well, sah, ain' dis bringin' de ole-time Chris'mus sperrit right inter dis place dis place what need us Bedfordses er heap mo' dan Hanover County evah did need us! " "Is Dr. Warren here?" Elizabeth asked him. 'Yassum, he heah. All ob 'em is in dat room ovah yandah wid de little sick chile an' her ma." Once more he had forgotten the suffering of the world under the influence of the Tree. "Marse Calendah, Ah 'spose you plumb fohgot dat Chris'mus summon you heah me preach de yeah befo' we come up heah? Well, sah, when Ah writ dat summon " He paused and glanced apprehensively at Eliza- beth. "Dat is ter say, when Ah compose 128 The Fourth Physician dat summon, Ah wahn't pos'tive hit wah soun' the-losophy. Sence dat time, Ah is learn' mo'." The candles were still glowing bravely, and the old man stood behind the tree like a shadowy high priest at the altar of sacrifice. ' Yassah, Ah is suah now, as Ah 'low in dat summon, dat all de mis'ry ob slavery hit- se'f am mo' dan repaid by de Chris'mus tree, an' what us Af'icans us niggahs, sah is learn* ob de meanin' ob de Tree! Ah kin jes' see dem baby eyes er-shinin' when her ma light dese candles foh her in de mawnin' !" Elizabeth smiled over to him, as she un- packed the hamper he had brought. It had been a night of surprises for Dr. Warren, and the picture they made as he came back into the room was not the least of them. "How is little Jeannette?" Bedford asked, their greetings over. " She is very low. I am sorry to say there is no hope for her now." 129 The Fourth Physician Elizabeth stood transfixed. Had not Hilary himself assured her that Jeannette would soon be well ? Through the tears that sprang to her eyes, she looked at him as a child might look in demanding an explana- tion of something it could not understand. " She is sinking rapidly," Warren con- tinued. " Father! " Elizabeth whispered. " If only I could have induced him to come ! " Then she went back to her work at the hamper. " She has been very unhappy that Dr. Shepherd was unwilling to come," Bedford explained to Warren. "But he iconic!" " Shepherd? Is Livingston here?" 'Yes. He has made a gallant fight a magnificent sacrifice! Let us save your daughter, for to-night at least, the disap- pointment of knowing that his discovery has failed!" Elizabeth joined them, holding a brightly 130 The Fourth Physician colored little garment in her hand. In the light from Hilary's candles, Warren saw a tear fall upon it. " Is there no hope at all? " " I'm afraid not, Miss Bedford. She has had all that skill, and sympathy, and all that love could offer ! " "Don* let 'em disoncourage you, Little Miss ! Hit am true dat all three doctahs hab give her up, but dere am yet Another! De mantle ob His lore an' mercy am sheltahin' dat little chile! Yassum, de Fou'th Physi- cian hab taken de case ! " Poor, faithful servant, a few genera- tions set apart from the darkness of the jun- gle, yet in hope and love and trust the richest of those within that wretched home that Death had marked! 131 The Fourth Physician XII WE are not keeping you from your pa- tient, Dr. Warren?" " Not at all, Colonel Bedford. For some reason, not clear to me, the physician who has charge of the case has asked to be alone with the child and her mother. I am to re- turn to them at midnight." Bedford consulted his watch. " It is nearly midnight now." " We don't need watches over here in our part of the city, to tell when midnight comes." "No?" " An unknown man with a soul has given to the little Mission Church in this desperate, struggling place a wonderful chime of bells. They ring at midnight." And he told them feelingly how little Jeannette used to beg him, upon his occasional visits, for fairy 132 The Fourth Physician stories stories that were never complete unless the chimes had a part. His ingenuity exhausted, one day he had protested against doctoring up into modern form the old- fashioned tales of his youth, and graciously she had explained : "'Ittle fairies isn't dot bells 'ike ours, 'tause ours is boo'fler 'an any music 'at ever was!" As Hilary leaned forward over his tree, drinking deeply of every word, the chime pealed out the glad sweet story of the Birth in the Manger. At the first note, Dr. War- ren bowed with professional brevity and answered its summons. "Come, Elizabeth," Bedford said to his daughter, "we can do nothing more. I shall return to-morrow." Hilary brought their wraps, but made no move himself to go. " We are ready, Hilary." 133 The Fourth Physician " Ah hopes you kin spare me f oh de res' ob de evenin', Marse Calendah. Ah'se gwine stick hit out right heah! " Bedford nodded, as he and his daughter went out into the bitter night. Hilary began to put out the candles on the tree. Several had been slowly ex- tinguished when he paused in deep medita- tion, and lighted them all again. Then, as if answering a summons, he went confidently into the room where the child lay. Dr. Shepherd held the little patient tenderly in his arms. Love was his weapon now, and he knew its strength. But there is an Infinite Love that is stronger still. The bells were yet ringing in a melody of annunciation "Unto you a Child is Born" when little Jeannette opened her baby eyes, and the smile of mystery fell lightly upon the wan, white face. And so it happened that while the mother 134 The Fourth Physician stood mutely by, as she who stood at the foot of the Cross, the child's soul wandered out, high above the joyous bells, from the little body that Livingston Shepherd held ten- derly in his arms. 135 The Fourth Physician XIII HRISTMAS morning was gray and cold. Hilary stood waiting in his mas- ter's breakfast room. All his life he had waited, patiently, loyally, devotedly. Clasp- ing his hands behind the bent old back, he walked slowly to the eastern window and looked out upon the bleakness of the lake. Presently he returned to the table and re- arranged the sprays of holly at the two plates. " All mah life Ah is put mah trus' in You, deah Lawd!" he murmured. "But I reckon dere am things hit wah nevah intended dat Ah should know." The wide, old-fashioned door swung open, and Calendar Bedford followed Elizabeth into the room. He glanced into the face of his servant as he stood at the master's chair ready to do him honor when he, in turn, had seated his daughter. He noticed the old 136 The Fourth Physician man's tired, worn features, and his heart sank. Somehow he had counted on Hilary to comfort him that day. "Merry Christmas, Hilary!" he cried with forced good cheer. "Same ter you, sah!" To be near his master had always raised the old man's spirits. "Chris'mus gift, Little Miss!" he called across the table, true to the old South- ern custom. Several times during breakfast, Bedford seemed about to speak upon a subject of mo- ment. "My child," he now began, when some- thing directed his attention to Hilary. His black face was illuminated as if on this deso- late Christmas morning the sun had risen in Calendar Bedford's breakfast room. " De Lawd be praise' ! De blessed, blessed Lawd!" Bedford hurried to his side. " Hilary ! What is it, Hilary ? " 137 The Fourth Physician At first his servant did not seem to hear; then he was overwhelmed with embarrass- ment. "Fohgive me, Marse Calendah!" he begged. ' Yo' ole niggah plumb fohgot hisse'f ! What kin Ah bring you, sah ? " He caught up the tray symbol of his servi- tude and again was the deferential house- man. " Hilary," Bedford said slowly, as though measuring each word. ' You are the best man I ever knew ! " "You fohgits yo'se'f, too, Marse Calen- dah!" he protested in his low, laughing voice, but realizing that he had been en- throned his whole life crowned in one brief sentence. Then he hurried from the room. " Elizabeth," Bedford resumed, " there is something I must tell you; you should have known it last night. It is about Dr. Shep- herd about Livingston." 138 The Fourth Physician " Not now! " she begged, as she rose from the table. " I could not bear it ! " " You are wrong, my child. It will give you happiness to know." " Nothing can do that ! " And she quickly left him. J39 The Fourth Physician XIV IT was nearly noon when Elizabeth heard the sound of Hilary's voice, and, seeking her father, followed it. She was well within the living-room before she realized that Dr. Shepherd was there. 'Yassah, Marse Calendah gone ovah on de Wes' Side ! But Little Miss is heah." " Do you think she would be willing to see me?" "See you? Cou'se she see you ! Efevah she gwine be proud ter see you, hit's right now ! Why, heah she is ! " "Elizabeth, will you give me a few minutes ? " It was as if a different man had spoken. " I thought you upon your way to New York," she answered coldly. "I I did not go." 140 The Fourth Physician She shrank from him. " You were here, and you let her die! " She started to leave, but Hilary stood squarely in the doorway. Clearly he did not intend that she should pass. "She is dead! You could have saved her!" He bowed his head. "Perhaps; if only I had gone when you asked me when I should have gone!" "Pahdon me, Little Miss; kin Ah arsk you a question?" Hilary no longer stood at the door. "Dere's sech er lot ob things been happ'nin' heah lately, maybe ole niggah ain' seein' jes' straight! Wahn't you ovah on de Wes' Side wid Marse Calendah an' me, an' de res' ob 'em, las' night, or dis mawnin' er whenevah midnight am ? Hit suttinly 'peared like ter me you wah wid us all at little Jeannette's ma's 1 " "You were there!" Shepherd exclaimed, turning to Elizabeth. 141 The Fourth Physician ' Yassah; her an' Marse Calendah an' me! All froo de long night Ah wondahed why de Lawd hide His face from us, an' hit wah not till Marse Calendah come down dis mawnin' dat Ah suddenly see de meanin' ob hit all! " He felt that an explanation was due to Dr. Shepherd. :< You see, sah, Marse Calendah allus did somehow stim'late dis ole niggah's faith! None ob us had 'zactly undahstood dat case. De Blessed Physician reach' out His han' in dat po' little home las' night, an' de sick wah healed! " "She died!" Elizabeth's voice was deep with emotion, as she looked steadily into Dr. Shepherd's face. ' Yassum," Hilary agreed simply. " He tooken de chile jes' like He intended ter all de time! She's wid Him dis blessed Chris'mus mawnin' ! No man on earf ' - - not eben Doctah Fred'rick hisse'f evah wucked mo' faithful dan Doctah Shepherd did!" 142 Can't you see, sahr You wah de patient, an' you am healed ! '' [Page 143] The Fourth Physician "What do you mean?" Elizabeth de- manded earnestly. " Ah means dat Doctah Shepherd wah wid us in dat mis'able place las' night, strivin' wid all ob his skill wid all ob his heart ter save de chile. Ef hit hadder been in- tended dat she be spared, de miracle would hab been entrusted ter him. But De Mars- tah wanted her! As He caught de sweet little sperrit ter His breast, He reach fo'th His han' an' heal de sick! " Shepherd seemed to be looking out through the wreckage of his soul into the negro's inspired eyes. " Can't you see, sah? You wah de patient, an' you am healed! You is made de one great discov'ry!" The young physician straightened him- self, like one who adjusts his shoulders to a new and welcome burden. Then he bowed his head as if a benediction were being said, and with closed eyes groped his way to Hil- 143 The Fourth Physician ary Brooks. Reverently he caught the hard, black hand in his, and a sob the sob of a strong, repentant soul rose from his heart. Elizabeth's face caught the glory of the light her father's servant had seen. THE END