Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-04-24
A Strange Fascination.

In San La jose, a California Town, 'be'e
lived yonng lady, haudsome, wealthy ana
mare than usually well educated. Her father
was an invalid, her mother cold and heartless
Two years ago physician was called to at
tend her father in this way the young lady sa"
him. The doctor paid no attention to Le'-
his mind was engrossed with bis professional
duties A few weeks ago this doctor was
..oewhat surprised by being asked by the
LADY, TO give her the favor Of a private inier-
view. She took him into a drawing room.
doctor" said She, suppose that gentle
men of your profession are accustomed to re-
ceiye strange couhdences. have aeohiesSion
TO make 20 you.
lie supposed that the impending confession
had something 10 DO with ihe state OF her
own health or with that Of her father, and
he begged her to proceed
"You will, however, be scarcely prepared
for what | am about 10 say, she continued
''but wish you to hear it. il Is now just
two years since first saw you. You have
.ea,rely ever exchanged a word with ne. but
have learned much about you. am not
mistaken in believing that you are unmar-
ed ?"
No" said he, ." am not married
"Aud your affections are not engaged
You scarcely have the right TO ask that,
be said
well. then" size replied, 4" ! viii not ASK
il hut | will make You my confession. !
love Won with all my heart, | wish you T.
marry me. have loved you from The hrsi
moment I saw you ] said TO myself, VIII
wait for two years; if he then speaks to me
| will know what To say. You have not
spoken. aud now speak. say love you
with all NY heart; You are necessary Tor
me will Won marry me 2
The doctor. who although. not very old
man. was twice the age Of the young lady
recovering little from his surprise, tried 10
turn the matter off as joke, but the young
lady was very serious.
No" said she, &" | am in very sober car
nest. know all that you may say OF thipk
as to the iudeicacy Of my proposal, but !
cannot heIpit / ask you once more, can you
love me. and will you marry me ?"
ain sober earnest, then" be replied, !
cannot marry you."
Then shall die, said she very calmly,
aud left the room.
The doctor had heard people say before that
they should die, aud left the house without at
tachiug very much importance to the proph-
ecy
A few days after this the young lady was
found dead in her bed Two letters laid mp
on the dressing table One was addressed to
her family solicitor.
Every penny Of her property was given to
the doctor. aud the solicitor was instructed TO
make the transfer 10 him, 20 ask no questions,
and 10 take no receipt The other letter was
to the doctor. Il told you should die, and
when you receive this / shall be dead For
ten days have taken 40 foDd or drink ; but
that does not kill ne, and now ! have taken
poison. have no reproach 70 make 20 you,
but could not live without yonr love When
am dead look az my heart. You will see
your name there. | have two requests 10
make to you. Go to my solicitor and take
what he has for you, and then 60 OF on a hol-
ilay TO Italy for few months. The other
request il that you never ask where ! am
buried. and never come 10 my grave
There was post-mortem examination
made on the young lady's body. On ber
breast over the hear, deeply imprinted 10 the
flesh, we're the initials Of the doctors name.
The characters seemed 90 have been made
there two or three years before. They we're
probably imprinted by her own hand Oh the
day when she first saw him.