e had a blow-out, but it's something like this. The
pipe has an outer surface and an inner lining. At one time or another
something happened to injure and weaken the former--disease does it
sometimes--perhaps it may have been a severe strain or crushing blow on
his chest."

"A big tree fell on him early last winter," cried Rose, with sudden
enlightenment. "His chest is so big and strong that he didn't think that
it hurt him, 'cept to lame him considerable."

"That may have caused the trouble. Well, what happens is this. The blood
is pumped by the heart through that weakened pipe, and, little by
little, it forces the lining out through the weakened spot, making
something like a bubble filled with blood. In time that might grow until
you could actually see the swelling, and all the time, the containing
tissue is getting thinner and thinner. Now you can yourself guess the
reason why he mustn't do anything to over-exert his heart. Hard work, or
great excitement, makes our hearts beat faster, and sends the blood
through that big artery with extra force and ..."

"The bubble might ... break," whispered "Smiles," with a frightened look
on her young face.

"Yes. We call it a rupture of the aneurism, and when that happens mortal
life ends."

"Oh," she shuddered slightly. "I must keep him very quiet, Doctor Mac. I
am strong and can do all the work. You tell him that he mustn't do
anything, please, doctor."

"I'm not sure that that would be the wisest plan, Rose. He has been so
strong and active all his life it would break his great heart to be tied
down like an invalid. I'm sure that he would be happier doing things,
even if as a result he didn't live quite so long. Don't you think so,
yourself?"

She nodded, and he continued, "Of course he is so big and strong he can
do common, simple tasks without anything like the amount of exertion
required by an ordinary man, and, so long as he doesn't strain himself,
or get very much excited, we may reasonably expect him to live for a
good while yet. Besides, as the aneurism progresses there will come a
steady, boring pain and increased shortness of breath, which will
themselves help to keep him quiet."

"But can't I give him some medicine?"

"The best medicine that he can possibly have will be your happy,
comforting smile and tender love, my child."

She furtively wiped a stray tear from her cheek and smiled bravely up
into his face, in a wordless pledge that to the administra