The Van Buren press., 1869-12-14

the sufferer, looked quickly and eagerl.
around at our entrance, and seeing me
exclaimed
"Is he doctorw
"Yes, yes, I've got doctor at last
God be praised if it amt too late" re
piled the man hurriedly, adding, almos
in the same breath, How is she, Mary
how is she p
The old woman shook her head au'
sighed out:
"Shs's had three en- 'cm since you lsf
and is In the fourth now, poor dear "
30, my God" groaned the man. sink
ing down upon the nearest seat. Doc
tor, you hear? Oh, save her! save her"
l hurried to the bed, and found the pm
tient in convulsions. The spasms ceased
almost Immediately . considerable quan
ti.y OF viscid matter was elected, and {
heavy snoring respiration followed. The
face was flushed, the head hot, and the
pulse rapid decided that she must bs
bled and lost no time in opening vein
| then sent for ice and applied it in mode
ration to her head. remained with hel
through the night, and left her at day
light in a tranquil state, with directions
to be followed in case Of the return OF
spasms.
The man, who gave his name as Ralph
Wagner, came down to the door with me,
and put half eagle into my hand.
How is she = he asked in trembling
voice is she better? Can you save
her?"
"She is better. l think, an hope
she can be saved, | replied
"Oh. doctor, you viii come.again to
day p
Yes; this afternoon, toward night,
alter shall have got some sleep, and Wis.
tied some few patients that cannot be
neglected"
Don't desert us, doctor! for Coils
sake don't fairly pleaded the man, with
tears in his eyes.
l assured him / would not, gave him
my address, and babe him send for me at
any time if change should take place
for the worse.
From that time the patient gradually
and in the course Of week was
out Of danger and had her reason. l had
seen her every day during this time, aud
had become not little Interested in her
as she was not an ordinary woman Her
age had judged to be about twenty five
or twenty six, and her features. though
marred by suffering, were intellectual and
still beautiful. Her hair was q light
brown, soft almost to sickness, and she
had the sweetest blue eyes and pretticst
mouth l ever saw.
Her voice, too, had the rich mellowness
which so captivates the ear, and her Ian
guage denoted education and her manner
refinement.
Great was the contrast between this
Esat,iifcde, aaNer dA,Iua tbs big caig;se.
must add, totally unprepossessing Ralph
Wagner; and though comprchended
how such man might love her to the
whole extent Of his rough, coarse nature,
confess | was at \ loss to account for
true reciprocity, if, indeed, there was any
such thing. That his ardent attachment
to her mignt excite some curiosity
some emotion akin to pity, and perhaps
gratitude-I thought possible; but that
there should exist anything like true
mutual love, seemed as contrary to the
laws of nature as for the doe to love the
tiger And yet how many such iucon
gruities we see paired if not mated or
married by law if not in spirit!
The day that made what intended
should be my last visit, found my fair
patient sitting in a chair, crying as if her
heart would break. She was alone.
This is very bad for you to be ex
citing your nervous system in this man
nor" ! said in kindly rsproving tone
. Has anything happened too serious for
a little calm philosophy to master p
30. Doctor" she exclaimed, :" am
a poor, miserable, heart. broken woman,
alone and friendless"
"Oh, not quite So bad as that, think,
| answered lightly, Where is your hus.
band 2"
This was the first time ] had ever
spoken the word husband to her, and
look ed to see if she received it as fla
miliar, unqnestioned fact. She shudder.
cd and covered her face with her hands
Did you sec in the papers this morn
ing she sobhed, the arrest OF u noto
nous barglar Peter Hammer Smith p
Il think did see something Of that
kind
That was mono other than Ralph
Wagner y
Good heavens you amaze me- ]
criea ynur husband n hurplar ip
"Sit down, doctor. and let me tell You
a painful story in few words and thea
il you can give me good advice and sym
pa,hy, shall receive it with gratitude;
and ifyeu scorn and cast Inc from you
shall only find l was mistaken in suppos
ing you had u heart
seated myself aud became all atten.
ton
II was reared in affluencc," she re
sumed, land for seventeen years was the
pride and joy of fond parents. AT sew
en,een fell in with man some years
older than myself whom believed to be
perfection itself. My father knew better
and warned me against him. He finally
forbade him the house We correspond.
cd afterwards, met elaudostinely, and ]
clopsd with him.
ave went, rs | supposed, to the house
of clergyman. and then and there were
married, and then set off on q marriage
tour The man l had 30 wildly loved
proved to be n blackhearted villain, and
soon robbed me Of all my money, and
then lpsertpd mo in n stranpe city.