The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-01-23
DR.. Grafton's Experiment,

e a COLD, wintry day altogether too
IA cold for so early in the season, people
sagely said it was) was drawing toward
nightfall, and hurrying clouds and sharp,
driving winds foretold still more tempes-
tuous night, when, as DR.. Grafton, having
made his round of professional visits, turn
ed into his Office entry he found awaiting
him note containing these words:
"Will DR.. Grafton call upon Mrs. Vaughn,
at No. Al Hotel as soon as convenient,
and see sick person, stranger in the
city,
The handwriting was that of lady, and
the confidence thus reposed in him by a
stranger was fattering; and the tired doctor,
adding few more wraps to defend him
self from the increasing cold, sailed forth,
and turned wearily back upon this new
mission.
It was a long walk, for the hotel indica-
ted was at the opposite end of the city and
the streets were already white with the
first snow of the season.
Reaching the hotel he was shown, at his
request to No. AZ, where he was met by
an elegant woman of middle age, who re-
ceived him with ease and introduced her
self as the writer of the note.
ave are travelling, DR.. Grafton" she
said, "and my daughter having become
alarmingly i'll, we have had to make
longer stay here than we intended; and
thinking II necessary to call in medical aid,
have been advised to send for you" The
doctor bowed silently, and the lady went
on:
"My daughter is, fear, threatened with
fever. She is of nervous temperament,
has met with severe family bereavements,
and is very excitable; indeed, she had a
brain fever some eighteen months ago,
and / am sadly apprehensive Of a recur-
renee of it, have thought 1t best to tell
you this in advance, as yor will find ilor
nervous system is very much unstrung
But you can form your own judgment bet
ter when you have seen her. Will you
follow me, il you please s''
Crossing an intermediate passage, the
lady went into the sick-room. The apart
ment was 80 dark that at first the doctor
could see only that respectable-lookinl
sick-nurse glided from her post of duty
by the invalid's pillow. But Mrs. Vaughn
noiselessly approached the window, ant
drawing back the curtain, let a little light
fall upon the bed, disclosing young ant
handsome female, who, with wildly up
tossed arms, dishevelled hair, flushed
cheeks, and quick, gasping breath, wa
sleeping the uneasy, broken slumber of fe
yer OF delirium.
"Bertha, my child" said the elderl!
lady, bending tenderly over the sleeper
"Bertha, my daughther~ The sleepe
started up with low moan of pain, ant
opened her eyes with wild, frightened
gaze upon the doctor.
"Ths is the doctor, dearest" said Mrs
Vaughn, sootbiDg,y. "Don't You know
promised to send for him? This is DR.
Grafton, Bertha"
"Can hc do anything for meP" murmur
cd the patient laying her whito hand, a
she spoke, upon her brow, from which tn
loose curls had been carelessly brushes
back.
sis the pain In your head very severes
aAked the doctor soothingly.
HTorturing r. sighed the invalid, briefly
Dr. Grafton took the seat tho mother ha
mesed toward him, lifted the hand OF th
patient tenderly from her burning temples
and laid his own cool ono In its pIaos, Will
he.iaid tho fingers Of his other hand light