The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1861-02-20
i VISIT WITH THE DoCToR.
BY T. 8. ARTHUR.

4 10
"How are you to-day, Mrs. Carlton?'' aske,
DR.. Farleigh as he sat down by his patient, VIII
reclined languidly, in q large cushioned chair
an iserable," was the family spoken reply
And the word was repeated -"Miserable."
The doctor took one of the lady's small whit
hands, on which the network Of veins, most de
licately traced, spread its blue lines everywhere
benegth the transparent skin. 1t was beauti
full hand--a study for painter or SCULPTOR
It was soft flexible hand--solt flexible ant
vclvety to the touch, as the hand OF baby, Io
1t was as much stranger to useful work.
The doctor laid his finger on the wrist.--Un
der the pressure he felt the pulse beat slowly
and evenly. He took out his watch and count
ed the beats---seventy minute. There wal
no fever, nor any unusual disturbance Of thu
system. Calmly the heart was performing it
appointed work.
allow Is your head, Mrs. Carlton?"'
The lady moved her head from side TO side
two or three times.
"Anything out Of the way, there?"
"My head IS well enough. but ] feel so mis-.
erable-so weak. I haven't the strength of q
child. The last exertion exhausts me-"
And the lady shut her eyes, looking the pic
tufo OIL IeeDteuesS.
"Hays you taken the tonic, for which left q
prescription yesterdayp
"Yes; but am no stronger"
SLOW is your appetite?"
Bad"
"Have you taken the morning walk in the
garden that Isuggested?"
10, dear, no. Walk out in the garden? Pm
faint by the time l get to the breakfast room!
can't live at this rate, doctor. What am to
do? Can't you build me up in some way
Pm burden to myselfand every body else?"
And Mrs. Carlton really looked distressed.
"You ride out every day?"
81 did until the carriage was broken, and that
was nearly a week ago. 1t has been at the car
riage makers ever since them" aH
"You must have the fresh air, Mrs. Carlton"
said the doctor emphatically. "Fresh air,
change of scene and exercise are indispensable
in your case. You will die, il you remain shut
up after this fashion. Come, take ride with
me-"
doctor! how absurd" exclaimed Mrs Carl
ton, almost shocked by the suggestion. "Ride
with you. What would people thiukF
"A fig for peoples thoughts! Get your shawl
and bonnet, and take drive with me. What
do you care for meddleseme peoples thoughts?
Come"
The doctor knew his patient.
"But you are not in earnest, surely?" There
was half amused twinkle in the lady's eyes.
"Never more in earnest. Pm going to see
patient just out of the city, and the drive will
be charming one. Nothing would please me
better than to have your company.
There was vein of humor, and spirit OF
don't care in Mrs. Carlton, which had once
made her independent, and almost boydenish. .--
But fashionable associations since her woman
lie began, had toned her down to exceeding
propristy. Fashion and conventionality, how
ever, we're losing their influence, since enieeb-
led health kept her feet back from the world g
gay places; and the doctors invitation to ride
found her sufficiently disenthralled 10 see in il
a pleasant novelty. ....
"l've mind to col" she said, smiling She
had not smiled before since the doctor came in.
"l'll ring for your maid" and Dr. Farleigh's
hand was on the be!l-rope before Mrs. Carlton
had space to think twice, and endangera change
of thought. ...e
''Pm not sure that am strong enough for
the effort" said Mrs. Carlton, and she laid her
head back upon the cushions in feeble way.
''Trust me for that" replied the doctor.
The maid came in.
"Bring me q shawl and my bonnet, Alice; i
am going to ride out with the DOCTOR" Very
languidly was the sentence spoken.
"l'm afraid doctor, IL will be to much for me.
You don't know how weak am. The very
thought OF such an effort exheusts me-"
"Nota thought of the effort" replied d
Farleigh. at ISN'T that"
"N hat is III"
"A thought of appearances-o Of what people.
will say"
"Now doctor! you don't think me SO weak in
that direction"
"You fashionable people are all afraid Of each
other. You haven't spark Of individuality or
trne independence. No, nota spark! You are
quite strong enough to ride out in your own
elegant carriage-but W ith the doctor?-oh,
dear, no! Ifyou were not certain OF meeting
Mrs. McFlimsey, perhaps the experiment might
be adventured. But she is always out on fine
days"
doctor, for shame! How can you say that?"
And ghost ofcolor crept into the face OF Mrs.
Carlton, while her eyes grew brighter, almost
flashed.
The maid came in with shawl and bonnet DR.
Farleigh, as we have intimsted, understood his
patient, and said just tive or three words more
In tone half contemptuous.
afraid Of Mrs. McFlimseym
"Not |! nor of forty Mrs. McFIimseys!"
1t was not the ghost ofcolor that warmed
Mrs. Cartons face now, but the crimson Of
quicker and stronger heart beat. She actually
arose from her chair without reaching for her
maids hand, and stood firmly while the shawl
was adjusted and the bonnet strings tied.
1--WE shall have charming ride" said the
loctor, as he crowded in beside his fashionable
ady companion, and took up the loose reins.--
he noticed that she sat up erectly, and with
'carcely 9 sign OF the languor that but few
before had oppressed her. Lean
,ack when you see Mrs. McFlimsey's carriage,
md draw your veil closely. She'll never dream
hat it's YOU"
"l'll get angry if you play on that string
much longerl" exclaimed Mrs. Carlton; what
10 ! care ior Mrs. McFlimsey2"
How charmingly the rose.tints flushed her
hseks! How the light rippled in her dark
weet eyes, that were leaden little while be-
ore. @
Away from the noisy streets, out upon the
moothy beaten road, and amid green fields and
woodlands. gardens and f1ower-deeked orchards,
be doctor bore his patient, holding her all the
While In pleasant talk. How different. this.
rom the listless, companionless drives taken by
he lady in her own carriage ga kind of easy
ibrating machine, that quickened the sluggish
Hood no more than cushioned rocking chair
Closely the doctor observed his patient. He
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