The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-02-06

you have seen her."
"Of what does she complaint"
"Of nothing in the world but lassitude.
She is always tired, and does not have the
least inclination for the slightest mental or
physical exertion."
"No cough? pulmonary diiculty?"
inquired.
"No, not bit" was the immediate an
swer.
"Has she suffered severe aflliction, by
death or other causes?"
LoUe, you probably meanP' and my
visitor curled her lip little scornfully, and
said: "No, believe her heart to be whole
and healthy; but her father is worried al
most into spasms abouther, and promised
him to send a physician this very day. So
please come out as early this afternoon as
you can make it convenient"
promised to do so, and my lady depart
ed. | pondered some time over the charac-
ter of my strange visitor; but the more l
pondered, the more convinced ] became
that she was n woman entirely out of
the common order. She had keen black
eye, and extraordinarily large perceptive
features; but the mouth, thin-lipped, with
sinister expression about the corners, sug-
gested the idea of cruelty; which idea once
having taken possession of my brain, l
found it impossible to rid myself of.
The card she had given me | still held in
my hand, "Mrs General G. d. Waite"
The name some way was familiar, and
memory brought back 10 me one of my
many hospital experiences, when man
by that name had been dangerously wound
cd, and after a tedious and irritating con-
valescence, had only been able to move
slowly round on crutches. A splendid
looking man in the prime of life, an excel
lent friend and gallant officer. l wonder
ed whether this was the same; and with a
curiosity under the circumstances pardona-
BILE, proceeded to the hotel. t.1i
The very first person my eyes rested
upon was my friend, the General of Chat
tanooga, sitting with his crutches beside
him) on the piazza.
"God bless you, my boy ~ said he, re-
cognizing me in q moment. in the name
of a merciful Providence, where did you
rain down from? This is something to be
thankful for. Sit down moment, and tell
me all about yourself" But before could
find voice or language, he had again inter-
rupted. "Oh, yes am better than ever
expected to be. But, Caldwell, I am the
most unfortunate man living. have a
daughter, the loveliest creature that God
ever put upon the face of the earth, and
every day / can see that she grows weaker
and weaker brought her out here hop
ing o great deal from the mountain-air, but
she is worse than ever. / have thought
about you, doctor, time without number,
and wished that you could see her; for l
remembered your patience and skill with
us poor deyils?" and smile which had
very little heart in it played around his
mouth at the recollection Of his former ex-
perience.
"Your wife called to see me this morn
ing, general, and tits at her request that
am here. If your daughters case has de-
fled the medical skill of New York, as your
conversation indicates, / am fearful that
the disease is beyond my reach; but, how
ever, if you wish, will have an interview"
replied, having gathered that there had
been no lack of scientific advice or profess
sional ability.
had seen good deal of practice, to be
sure, but only within the last year had
dealt at all with women, and this, although
pleasant, was nevertheless dreadfully puz-
zling.
We found the invalid alone, Mrs. Waite
having laid down, requesting to be called
when the doctor came. My patient was
lying listlessly upon lounge, drawn up be-
fore the open window, apparently wholly
absorbed in the mystery of clouds and col
oring.
"Gracie, my darling, have brought a
gentleman to see you, said her father, ten
derly bending over her.
"a gentleman, papa Who told you
you might? Surely am in no condition to
see company heard her reply, in the
low tones
" But, Oracle, it is very old friend of
papas. You have heard me speak often
and long of Mr.. Caldwell, the gentleman to
whom ! owe with Gods help the breath
of life?'
"Oh, yes, papa, Tell him to come in;
but am so tired, and advanced to the
side Of the lounge.