MRS.

CARLTON was a favorite in the circle where she moved; and when it became known that she would have to submit to a serious operation in order to save her life, she became an object of painful interest to her many friends.

Among the most intimate of these was Mrs.Birtwell, who, as the time approached for the great trial, saw her almost every day.
It was generally understood that Doctor Hillhouse, who was the family physician, would perform the operation.

For a long series of years he had held the first rank as a surgeon.

But younger men were coming forward in the city, and other reputations were being made that promised to be even more notable than his.
Among those who were steadily achieving success in the walks of surgery was Doctor Kline, now over thirty-five years of age.