The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-08-24
The Unseen Patient.
A DOCTORS STORY.

am a doctor. live in London and
in one Of the most crowded thorough.
fares.
had been in the present abode two
years. and had never had patient from
the most aiistocratic circles, when one
night, about half past eleven, was star.
tied by violent ring at my bell, and ,havs
ing just got to bed after hard days
work, | cant say the sn nmons was agree
able
However | ran to my window at once,
and, thrus'ing my head out into the rain,
cried "Who is there p
A voice answered, "Unly /, DOCTOR
It's an urgent case. Please come down
to the dour"
hurried on some clothes, sped down
stairs, and opened the door. There stood,
in the full light OF the hall lamp, an ell.
derly lady dressed in mourning.
She put out the smallest of hands in
fine black kid glove, and said pitcously,
"Are you the doctor p
"Yes," said
Then come with me-" said she. Don't
delay. It's life or death. Come ~
hurried on my overcoat. caught up
my umbrella, and Offering my arm to the
old lady, walked down the street with
her.
"You must be my guide, madam" |
said. 81 do not know where you live"
She instantly gave me street and
number that surprised me still more. 1t
was in tolcrably aristocratic quarter of
the town.
"Who is ill, madam o., i"~..:--a
= IA young lady-my daughter she
said
Suddenly ?"
"Yes, suddenly" she answered. "Do
you keep brougham You should
have had i: out if you do. We would
have been able to 20 faster"
81 keep no conveyance" said.
perhaps YOU are poor?" she said ca.
gerly.
"Certainly not rich said
Cure her, and I'll make you rich,'
she said, IN sor, Of suppressed shrek /;
'cure her, and I'll give you anything you
ask don't care for money. I'm roll.
ing in gold Cure her. and | II shower it
on you"
You are excited, madam" said.
Pray be calm "
"Calm ~ she said--"calm but you
don't know mo,her's heart.
We had reached the street she had in.
dicated, and were at the door Of one of
its houses The old lady ascended the
steps, and opened the door with latch
key A light burnt in the hall, another
in one of the parors, the furniture OF
which was draped and shrouded in white
linen.
"Wait here, sir, if you please" she
said, as she led me into one OF these
waited what thought most un.
reasonable time in that gloomy parlor. |
began to grow little nervous, when a
stout, short, d.faced woman hustled into
the room.
II beg your pardon, sir" she said, in
a singular tone, such as one who had com.
mitted speech to memory might use
"but my missus-thc lady who brought
you here is very nervous, and was need.
lessly alarmed, She begs your accep.
tance Of the customary fee, and there is
no need of your services"
Thus speaking. she handed me guinea
curtesied, and opened the door for me.
bowed, expressed hope that the patient
was better, and departed,
1t was queer sort Of adventure, but
was rather amusing than otherwise be.
sides, had a good fee.
| rose early next morning and paid a
couple Of visits before breakfast. Return
ing to my astonishment, | found sitting
in my counting'r room the lady of the night
before. She rose as | entered.
What must you think of me 2" she
said. "But no matter. My daughter il
very dear to me, and have heard O
your skill. She is worse again. Car
you call some time to-day, as early a
possible, at my house 2"
IL will be there in an hour" said.
, The lady took out her purse.
al am an old.fashioned woman," sh,
said "I retain old.fashionod habits Ii
my day the doctor received his fee on tn,