South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1873-09-12

eats more in one meal than do in three
months
There is nothing the matter with your
husbands stomach, Mrs. Stepheus.' DIR.
Ellis shaded his face with his hand, aud
waited further developments. Mrs. Ste
pheus mistook this attempt at forced con-
cealment for emotion, aud Immediately as
sumed sitting posture, brushed her hair
away from her forehead, aud looked pierre
ingly into her companions face
why do you accent the word stomach
so strongly, Doctor Ellis p she inquired in
anxious tones. Mrs. Stephens was forget
ting herself, and this the Doctor hailed as
an excellent omen.
'Oaly that might make you understand
that mans digestion could be most unex-
ceptionable, and yet be be far from sound
in other directions
Then you mean to tell me that my hus-
band is sick p
Il do
perhaps you will 60 still further, and
say dangerously 2
IF you desire it,
'Ob, DJc,or Ellis how cold aud unfeel-
ing you are | should think you ought to
know by this time, and just here Mrs
Stephens broke down entirely, and sobbed
as if her heart would break.
Ought to know what, Mrs. Stephens p
inquired the Doctor, with uncallel-for de.
liberation.
You ought to know-to kuow-that m Y
my husbands health and life are of q
good deal more consequence to me than
my own
'Ah, indeed, interrupted the physician,
with an elevation of his bushy eyebrows,
immensely suggestive of contrary opin-
ion, as well as several excellent reasons for
said opinion
Doctor Ellis, will you DO kind enough
to tell me what's the matter with my hus.
band 2
Mrs. Stephens was row on her feet
tears all wiped away, eyes Fishing with re-
sentfuI spirit,and only little culver of the
llf, to show how deep wound the kind
heart 10 her bosom had sustained. There
she stood, reproachful, defiant, determined
womanly. The Doctor was delighted, and
such an honest face it was, that he carried
round with him from door 20 door, from
sunrise to sunset, every day in the year.
that'it was mighty hard matter to keep
1t from an Immediate betrayal of the whole
purpose.
Mrs Stephens, said he, 'you have no
cause to be alarmed. If / can only get
your cooperation in this business, | feel
certain that shall be able to make well
man of your husband in few months, at
The longest but, as true as sit here be-
fore you, | cannot DO this alone
why have not been informed of this
before Z? broke in Mrs. Stephens, imperi-
ously
who was there to inform you, madam ?
Your husband does not know his condition,
aud | should really like to be told when
you have been sufficiently calm to hear all
that was necessary for you to know
But, Doctor Ellis, l should think you
ought TO have understood that my own
health and comfort are nothing, compared
to my husbands Mrs. Stephens was
weeping again. There is no sacrifice |
would not make for him
Curious creatures muttered the Doc
tor; delightful bundles of contradictions
How the mischief should know, Mrs. Ste
phens, how much you care for your hus-
half hour complaining about him. l. that
the way T)mcn generally testify their re.
gard for their husbands?
Oh don't, Doctor Ellis, please DON'T
pleaded the terrified woman. Il will never
complain automatically you will only let
me know what | can do for him. Do Won
know, Doctor, had begun to think lately
that something must be amiss with him, be
was growing so irritable. Poor dear how
wicked and thoughtlcss have been
This, then, is toe trouble shall take
it for granted, madam, that sou know some.
thing about physiology, aud can follow me
without difficulty 2
Oh yes-yes, for mercy's sake, 20 on. ,
Very well; fad that the periclrdium
-
The porioarlium 2? repeated Mrs. Ste.
phcns
You know what that is, I suppose p
Evidently Mrs. Stephens anatomical
kuow'oIgo was limited She shook her
head in despair. 'Somstling abou. the
heart, iso'tit! sho asked al last.
Yes tbe per!cardium is the membrane
Gus sac that holds the heart Well, some.
times tbis sac--i, Is no matter abou, par
iicular., Mrs. stephens, and Doctor Ellis
suddenly ctmo 10 a stand still.
'it Is enough, though, for me to say that
we are both passahly anxious that this heart
should remain where 10 belongs Mr. Ste
pLcus mus, DO amused lie wants the o.
por', tba lecture, thc social circle, entertain
log books happy homo-mu.io You
play aud sing do you not, Mrs Stephens p
'Oh yes-I used TO- and Mrs stephens
tones we're so piuful now that big Doctor
J. .iis really aud truly was obliged 10 wipe
both his eyes aud his nose. Before he was
aware lhe Iacbymal duct had got the up