The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-01-19


promises. OF that, however, | have
nothing to say, as it does not relate to
the present subject. My practice rap
idly extended, and 1 was exhilarated
with hope and determination. About
six months after went to the city |
was called in haste one evening to visit
more aristocratic locality than any to
which | had hitherto been called. The
servant ushered me into luXuriously-
furnished apartment, where matronly
lady eagerly met me. She was not
aged, and yet care or grief had done
the work of years. Her face was deeply
furrowed and her hair white as snow.
She spoke in firm voice, now and then
breaking into the information of deepest
grief, as she extended her hand: Z"
have called you to the bedside of my
daughter, whom | fear is already past
your power to heal"
"How long has she been ill?''
"Ever since the death of her brother
and my only son. That was three years
ago He went to Cleveland on bust
ness, and there all trace of him was
lost. There was, fear, some terrible
secret connected with his disappearance
which preys on her mind. He was my
only son, and now Evelyn is all that is
left me. He had been my staff since
the death of his father, and it is so hard
to bearn
Tears started in her eyes, but she
forced them back, and resumed:
"To-day Mr.. Farbel, to whom she
has been engaged for four years, called,
and after he went away she became
alarmingly worse, and sent for you
without consulting her. She has per-
sisted that she did not need medical
aid, but | felt it my duty to present her
case to a skillful physician, and per-
haps you may, by your science, save
her. o sir, if your skill could restore
her health, all l possess would not suffi-
GENTLY repay you"
"We never know what we can ac-
complish until we try, and as long as
there is life there is hope" l said, en-
couragingly; "Ishall be only too glad
if | can be of service to you"
She led the way to an exquisitely-
nished chamber, where in an easy
chair, her daughter sat before the CRATE.
The red light of the flaming Goals re-
t1ected on her face. For moment |
could notrecall that familiar face, butmv
eyes fell on the chain of pearls, from
which was suspended a jet cross, and
my memory suddenly awoke. | saw
the face of the picture on the eye which
had made such an impression on me.
| was completely overcome and could
only utter some incoherent words.
You are i'll, yourself, doctor?' anX-
iously inquired the mother.
"Only a temporary indisposition,' |
replied, rallying; 81 have been over
worked"
| made thorough examination, but
could find no trace of disease. There
was nervous prostration, which had be-
come hysteria, and presented at times
alarming symptoms, but there was no
immediate danger. The cause or
causes were completely concealed from
me. | made some simple prescription,
promising to call on the morrow, hop
ing that reflection might enable me to
gain more insight. | passed a sleep
less night; the strange facts of resem-
blance and the mental distress, evident
ly the only cause of her prostration,
were to me inexplicable. When l
called the next day my patient was
more cheerful and aroused from the
lethargy which held her faculties. |
had scarcely made few commonplace
remarks when Mr.. Farbel was an
nounced. Evelyn sank back as one in
despair. Her eyes looked beseechingly
to me for assistance. A new mystery
presented itself. Why should she be
so shocked by the coming of her be-
trothed? The question had not gained
form before it was answered by the
presence of Mr. Farbel. To his saluta-
ton | could give no reply, for surprise
had struck me dumb. There was
the other face | had seen on the
retina. The same serpent eye looked
cold and villainOus from beneath the
heavy brows, and the dropping mus
tache, jet black, gave expression to the
solid, square jaw.
Like flash of light there came a
revelation of crime to my mind. was
so appalled, by its horror l could not
speak, or scarcely breathe. The SER
pent eyes seemed to look into my soul
and read my thoughts. could not
endure them. With hurried directions
| took my leave, passing down to the
hall. There met Evelyn's mother
"What, do you think now, doctor?"
she asked anxiously.
81 will be honest with you" / re-
piled; "your daughters case is a mys-
terry which l fail to understand. She
has no physical disease; her illness is
wholly mental"
"Then she can be cured?"
may, will hold out no false hope.
If she were i'll in body medicine might
reach the cause, but over the soul my
art has no control. Perhaps we can
learn the cause, and by removing it as
sist in her recovery. You say her
health began to fail Immediately after
the disappearance of her brother?"
"Rather before that event"
"You will pardon me if ask-would
Mr.. Farbel gain anything by your SON 5
deathp
"Ah, that is a terrible question! Of
course if he married Evelyn he would
gain nearly the whole of this estate, as
my son was not married and was the
only heir"
Having gained this information,