The Republican journal., 1874-04-30

say dangerously?"
IF you do.desre it."
"Oh, Doctor Ellis, how cold and unfee
ing you are l should think you ought to
know by this time and Just here Mrs
Stephens broke down entirely, and sob
bed as if her heart would break.
''Ought to know what, Mrs. Stephens?' ri
inquired the Doctor, with uncaled-for de-
liberation
You ought to know-to know-1hat
my-my husbands health and lie are of
a good deal more consequence to me than
my own"
"Ah indeed" interrupted the physician
with an elevation of the bushy eyebrows,
immensely suggestive of a contrary opin-
ion, as we'll as several very excellent rea-
sons for said opinion.
doctor Ellis, will you be kind enough
to tell me what's the matter with my hus-
band ?"
Mrs. Stephens was now Oh her feet
tears all wiped away, eyes flashing with
resentful spirit, and only the little quiver
of her lip, to show how deep a wound the
kind heart in her bosom had sustained
| There she stood, reproachful, defiant, de-
termined, womanly. The Doctor was de-
lighted, and such an honest face it was,
that he carried around with him from
door to door, from sunrise to sunset, every
day in the year, that it was a mighty hard
matter to keep it from an immediate be-
trayal 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 | shall be able to make a well man
of you husband in a few months, at the
longest; but, as true as sit here before
you, | cannot do this alone
'Why have not been informed OF this
before?" broke in Mrs Stephens imperi-
ously
"Who was there to inform you, madam
Your husband does not know his condi-
ton, and | 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 | 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
that | would not make for him.
"Curious creatures y muttered the doc
tor "dclightful bundles of contradictions.
How the mischief should know, Mrs.
Stephens, how much you care for your
husband? | am sure you have spent the
last hour complaining about him. Is that
the way women generally testify their re-
gard for their husbands ?"
80, don't, Doctor Ellis, please don't. |
will never complain again-never-ify You
will only let me know what | can do for
him DO you know Doctor, had begun
to think lately that something must be
amiss with him, he was growing so irri-
table Poor dear! how wicked and thought
I less | have treated him.
This, then is the trouble | shall take
it for granted madam, that you know
something about physiology, and can fol
low me without difficulty -
"O-yes, for mercy's sake 60 on
Very we'll; find that the pericar
| dunn
THE perieardum ?" repeated Mrs. Ste
| Phens.
''You know what that is, | suppose"
| Evidently Mrs. Stephens anatomical
| knowledge was limited She shook her
| head in despair. Something about the
| heart is it not 2" she asked at last
YES. the percardum is the membrane
Gus sack that holds the heart Well, some
| times this sack-it is no matter about par
ticulars, Mrs Stephens" and DR.. Ellis sud-
/ NtllIN tttlllt w Il NltlitlHllll
at is enough, though, for me to say
that we are both passably anxious that his
| heart should remain where it belongs
Mr.. Stephens must be amused He wants
the opera, the lecture, the social circle,
entertaining books ahappy home-music.
You play and sing, do YOU not, Mrs. Ste
phens?'
.'Oh yes-I used to- and Mrs. Stephens
tones were SO pitiful now that big Doctor
Ellis really and truly was obliged to wipe
both eyes and his nose Before he was
aware, the lacrymal duct had gotten the
upper hand. "Well, try it again; get a
teacher, and 90 to practicing."
but how am | going to manage my
spasms ?" sobbed the lady.
"Well, perhaps between Us both you
using your will power, and thinking OF
your husband, going with him, and taking
care of him-and | doing my best in my
way-we may be able to subdue them
but you must remember this, madam-do
not let Mr.. Stephens have the taintest sus-
picion that you think anything is the mat
ter with him; and above all, do not treat
him like an invalid Just amuse him,
and all that, you know, just as you used
| to when YOU were first married.
Another series of sobs from Mrs. Ste
phens.
The Doctor arose to 60 His patient
had entirely forgotten that he had left no
prescription.
about tea Doctor ?' She asked as he
prepared to leave. ado you think it very
hurtful p
LAS an occasional tonic, ] have no OBJ
lection to tea; but as a daily beverage,
madam, it is an invention OF the devil.
Good morning"
John Stephens sought his home that
evening with heavy heart. His wife he
believed confirmed invalid, or hypochon-
driac-it mattered little which one was
as bad as the other His rcmonstrances
were of no avail, he was doubtful even
whether his wife loved him. He opened
the door softly with his latch key. This
had became habitual; seldom did the gen
tleman show himself to his beloved wife
until after the dining bell had summoned
the family to the dining room.
A strain of music net and transfiXed
him on the very threshold. Abt's beauti-
full song was being rendered, and his wife
hear
The eyes that cannot weep,
Are the saddest eyes of ALL
for a full year TINS charming voice llaa
been as silent as the grave.
Company, perhaps,' he muttered.
Curiosity overcame him. He opened the
parlor door and stepped in. There was
Mrs. John Stephens becomingly attired,
all alone. as enthusiastic over the fine rem
dition of piece of music as he had ever
seen her.
"Whatdoes this mean. Kate ?" he asked,
with outstretched arms.
That l have given up tea, and am 60
ing to try hard to be well. | guess my
voice viii come back, John"
II guess so" he replied, folding her
tight to his heart.
Three months after this the cure was so
radical, that Doctor Ellis made a clean
breast OF the whole thing; and there is no
word OF set of words that can provoke so