Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-07-07

There are other troubles besides money
troubles. How about health. madame p.
HEALTH 20 repeated The lady with a
smile she intended 10 be sarcastic TO The
last degree.
Health? Doctor Ellis! Why, there
isn't n healthier or soundcr man than
my husband in the United States. lie
eats more in one meal than 10 in three
months"
There is nothing tho matter with your
husbands stomach, Mrs Stephens" Doc
tor Ellis shaded his face with his hand,
and waited further developments. Mrs
Stephens miStook this attempt at forced
conccalment for emotion. aud immediate.
Il assuming sitting posture, brushed
her eyes, and looked piclcingIy into her
companions face.
why do you accent tho word stomach
so strongly, Dr.. Ellis ?" she inquired in
anxious tones. Mrs. Stephens was for.
getting herself, and this the Doctor hailed
as an excellent omen.
"Only that | might make you under
stand that n mans digestion could be
most uneXccpIionable, and yet he be far
from sound in other directions"
Then you mean to tell me that my
husband is sick"
~ do"
Perhaps you will go still further, and
say dangcrously?"
I'll You do desire it,
"Oh, DR.. Ellis, how cold and unfceling
You are l should think YOU ought TO
know by this time" "aul just here Mrs.
Stephens broke down entirely and sobbcd
rs il her heart would break.
"O1ghl to know what, Mrs. Stephens 2"
inquired the Doctor, with uucalled for
dciihera,ion.
You ought to know-lo know-thlt-
my husbands health and life are Of = good
deal more consequence to me than my
own
"Ah indeed. Interrupted The physician,
with an elevation OF the bushy eyebrows.
Immensely Suggestive ol contrary
opinion. aS well as several very excellent
lct-pIS Tor said opinion.
doctor Ellis. will You be kind enough
to tell me what's the matter with my hus
baud?'
Mrs. Stephens was now on her feet
tears nj wiped away, eyes flashing With
reScuIiI spirit. aud only the little qaiyor
of her lip, TO show how deep a wound
the kind heart in her bosom had sustained
There she stood. reproIchlul, defiant. de.
tcrmincd. womanly. The Doctor was
delighted, and such an honest iaco it wa
that he carried around with him from
door to door, from sunrise TO sunset. every
day in tho year, that il was 4 mighty hard
matter TO keep it from an immediate be
uayal OF the whole purpose.
Mrs. Stephens" said he, You have
10 cause TO be alarmed. III can only have
your co operation in this business, feel
certain | shall be able 10 mako well
man Of your husband in few months, at
The longest; but as true as sit here be
fore you, cannot 90 this alone"
"Why have not been informed Of this
before ?" broke in Mrs. Stephens impcli
ou,ly
"Who was there to inform you, mad
am? Your husband does not know his
condition, and should really like to be
told when you have been sufficient y 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 arc nothing compared
to my husbands" Mis-. Stephens was
weeping again. There is no sacrifice
that | would not make Tor him."
Curious creatures ~ multcreJ the Doc
tor; delightful bundles of contradic.
t;on>! How the mischief should know,
Ms. 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 regard for their husbands ?"
80 don't, DR.. Ellis. please don't. Twill
never complain again-never-ii 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 irrita.
bic. Poor dear! how wicked and thought
less have treated him"
This, then, is the trouble. shall
take it Tor granted, madam, that you,
know something about physiology, and
can follow me without difficulty" ?"
"O-yes, Tor mercy's sake. 60 on"
Very well; | find that tho pcricar-
dium-"
"Thc pcricardium?" repeated Mrs.
Stephens.
You know what that is, supposc?"
Evidently Mrs. Stephens anatomical
knowledge was limited She shook her
head in despair. Something about the
heart is it nol?" she asked at last.
Yes the pericardium is the membrane
Gus sack that holds the heart. Well,
sometimes this sack-it is no matter about
particulars, Mrs. Stephens" and Doctor
Ellis suddenly came TO a standstil.
1T is enough, though, for me to say
that we are both passably anxious that
his heart should remain where IL belours.