Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1858-02-20

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the most expensive style. In one hand
she held clares- colored wrought bag,
with cambria kerchief, elegantly em-
broidered, peeping out, half revealing
name, neatly enwreathed, Of which l
detected the letters, /" Anna W"
In her other hand she held a claret- col
orcd parasol, closed. Altogether, she
was very fashionably and elegantly at
tired, and with the most exquisite taste.
eyes, Miss, I am Doctor Dodwell.
Can be of any service to you Z" I
asked, trying to recall my uncle's in
structions about dignity, GOODNESS, and
perfect self-possession. Without doubt
/ was q little auttered. There seemed
q sort of destiny in her entering my Of
fee, and I could not dismiss from my
mind the idea''that more would yet come
Of it than now appeared on the surface.
81 am very DESTROYS of seeing you,
Sir, on some private matters, I" she said
III voice like fute-soft, tremulous,
and rich. Are we alone?"
I wondered whether it could possibly
be professional visit. She seemed
the incarnation Of health and beauty !;
for that voice was in perfect tune-and
the medical man knows that any quick
ening or depression of the pulse by in
cipient illness is at once apparent in the
voice. {" But perhaps she comes for
Others" l said to myself, and then
aloud. "We are quite alone. T"
l felt my heart flutter as I said this,
and I walked to the door to seeif Mrs.
Bracegirdle by chance might be at hand.
My suspicious were VERIFIED found
her very tidily gathering up shreds and
smoothing my door-mat-that was all.
would not on oath say she was listen
ing. Mrs. Bracegirdle was, I am sure,
above this weakness of her sex. New
ertheless l resolved to close my door,
which I modestly left ajar as ! entered.
Mrs. Bracegirdle caught my eye, and
looked little queer out Of hers.
Honi SOFT qui NAL q pense, !" I
said to her, with gravity becoming my
great uncle himself F.; and not waiting to
translate for her, as I usually did my
Latin labels, l entered my room, and
shutting my door, advanced to my Wis
itor. She was reseated, and both Of
her exquisite little bronzcd boots were
just visible, sweetly nestled one upon
the other.
You will, no doubt, think me very
bold, Sir, but I have called to ask you
to prescribe for me J"
"Indeed, Miss Then it is pro-
fessional visit ;" ...
ENTHUSIASTICALLY, said she, with
dignity and ease.
This GOODNESS quite put all my phil
osophy out Of my brain.
" Pray may I ask what is your dis
ease ?"
"Of the heart, Sir. %
Ialmost bounded two steps backward.
was so taken by surprise.
"Of the heart q"
"Yes, Sir. am in love. I am
told that love proceeds from causes over
which medical men have control. "
felt very doltish, and was for a mo-
ment dumbfounded. Vas this young
beauty quizzing me? Impossible l
was too grave and self-possessed a per-
son for that. I then recollected tn
had heard of persons dying of love, Of
hearts being broken and all that.
SPRAY explain, madam. How can l
help you?''
'You had best feel my pulse, Sir.
It is not for me to describe my disease.
1 came to consult your skill, and put
myself under your care for a perfect
cure. -
"Bless my soul! Indeed, Miss ? %
Yes, Sir. - And as she spoke she
removed her glove, displaying a charm
ing hand, and extended the pretty MEM
Der toward me. As 1 delicately clasped
it with thumb and finger I felt all sorts
Of emotions. Inever experienced such
sensations in touching patients hand
before. In order not to let her arm fall
to the ground, l was under the neces-
sity of supporting the warm, soft little
hand in my own. 1t felt like a young,
warm robin-red breast, and it palpita-
ted for all the world just like a little
timid turtle dove. TO this day have
not the least idea how many times her
pulse beat to the minute. | had lost
my presence of mind so completely that
l forgot to take out my watch to time
it. think, though, l must have held
that little hand full FIVE minutes, pre-
tending to feel the pulse, and all the
while reveling in the delightful possess
sion. 1 only wished it had been her
little foot! But doctors don't usually
feel for pulses in laly's foot, however
beautiful and small.
Slowly she withdrew her hand, seeing
I retained it longer than was necessary,
but not as if displeased.
~ know Of no cure," said I, smi-
ling, shut to prescribe the young gen.
tleman. -
/ heard a merry laugh behind the
veil, and it set Inc quite ct my ease.
!" Then, Sir, l must take you'll
Take me" I exclaimed.
Yes, Doctor. l am in love with
you, and have been for long time. "
+" Impossible, Madam y
cit is true. y
"Why, I do not know you! y
+" Yet / have often seen you My
heart ia yours. You alone can heal the