The Texas Republican. [volume] (Marshall, Tex.) 1849-1869, 1859-03-18
THE vEILED p0RrRAIr.
FROM THE JOURNAL. OF IS OH PHYSICIAN.

IniloWihp slhpuiat stVi y iHt naHhStiiHt
was quite yellow and faded, and my
Imagination had often to supply a part
of sentence bU. | will give it as it
was originally written, as nearly as pos
siblc.
Angaa, l2m, l74s.-T.ast night | was
called to the deathbcd of one Of my fest
patrons. and the visit with its strange
closing scene, has called up a host of rec.
elections. ! can scarcely write, my
mind is so impressed with wonder and
awe Death, the great rcvcalcr, has pas
scd within my sight, aud opened strange
history to my view.
Fifteen years ago, just graduated
from my medical studies, removed 10
the country ! was an entire stranger IN
the place, hut by my natural frankncss
Of manner trusted to gain friends and
by my attentions and skill | hoped to
give satisfaction to my patrons. took
a room in the house of a widow lady who
had several other boardcrs These were
mostly young men like myself, and made
for me most cougcnir' circle Of acqnain.
lance
had been there six weeks, when one
day, as was going down to the supper
table. door IN the corridor, near the
staircase, suddenly opened, and the land
lady bcckoned To me Wondering what
she could wish of me, turned and en-
tered the chamber.
Miss Ross 10 rnwell tonight, and
havo persuaded her to call you,' said nay
Iardlady and without further inlroduc-
ton she led me to- sofa at the end 81
the roctii, Oh which a lady was retiring,
wrapt in a black velvet shawl ! was
much surprised. for though | had staid
closely in the house. waiting for bnsi-
ness. ever since IVY arrival, was Nutil
now ignorant that the widow had "a lady
boardcr took chair by her. and while
questioning her AS 10 her symptoms,
scrutjui1cd with much curiosity her per
sonal appearance
She was u tall, pale woman, Of a'c"t
forty as should Judge, and had cvl-
IDENTIFY in her youth been very beautiful
Though thin and faded her complexion
was of Il pure marble Wilderness, and her
features were fine mid regular. Her eyes
were black and piercing. with slight
disagrccablc expression. 80 that lid
not like to meet them They Indicated a
passionate temperament, while her 'rll,
firm lips indicated an equally strong VIII
and ungovcrnahlc caprice. She wore
mourning garments but they were very
rich and the single ring which elttcr"d
an her hand was "A valuable diamond
The room, too, was elegantly furnished
aud the halls were hung with paintings.
dis ,ovcrcd that Miss Ross, as my
landlpdy called her, was threatened win
4 fever. and gave her a potion, which
had confidence in, as speedy relief
sat few moments by her, then rose 20
hil her good evening, for her manner Of
naughty reserve did not invite to socla-
bilitv. As turned to leave The room,
abe called me back.
You viii make no mention OF this
visit, either in this house OF elsewhere
she said, in tone less Of request than !
aHd iancch that something I
like flush rose to her checks as she .
fixed her piercing eyes on me.
Certainly not, ii such is your wish /
| replied aud paused moment halt eN- I
pcctinr tp hear an explanation OF tins /.
Unusual rcducst
Il will trust you, DR. Ware. Come /
arain tomorrow she said ard with /
motion IF Fer band she badc me good |
night
The brief visit and tic rafting ininrc- |
ton Of NY patient strangely haunted my I
Imagination. and when | sat down 10 the /
table with my fellow hoarders ] longed ,
to ask ii any Of them had seen the mys
tctiors lady Pat N, rromisc 'cs't'lrc' /
me; though even when | went to call ON /
sweet Alice Hudson, as was my custom
Of an evening, that pale proud face "du'd .
HIT before my fancy Alice /
noticed ny noodincss, and played lc' /
raycst songs for my amusement; but
moi even with her could ! wholly forget .
the strange influence
The next day went at the same hour I
to- visit my patient tapped at the door /
and She babe me enter She was sitting .
III in her casy-chair; the velvet shawl, /
thrown carelcssly back, revealed noble .
form She moticned me to seat beside
her
"Your medicine has cured me, she /
said slightly smiling. II must compl'-
mcnt YOU as skillful far ane SO young"
l ne cast was hft HNN''' wv
remarked. with a little diiliicncc. Yet
! fear madam. you would have had
fever to-day if eou had Not taken pre-
Il feel sure tl'at should, she replied. I
% Md wha, like in You, is that You dld /
not AS some Of your profession do, help /
on ~. fever for the sake of more fees /
You might easily have done 1t VIII. |
didn't you y a.,
Miss Ross exclaimed with a flush |
Of Indignation, You have strange orin
ion of ply sloians.' go,
Il have seen moro Of the world than !
you,7 was her quiet answer "hni do
not he angry feel under deep oo's'-
tons to YOU
Il rose to go, hut she detained me
"Sit awhile with me this evening ''ic /
said. You have been to tea have You |
not7'
"Yes," | replied, can hour ago ers
why ~ i
was ON the point Of asking why
had never seen her at the table, but re .
the shortness OF my acqnain-
lance. and checked mvaelf slw how
ever understood my hesitation.
"You were going TO ask why d" not
go to the table and mngle with we
a l4A "a