Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-09-06

had observed on the first occasion. When
the wound was dressed the dead pallor
disappeared from his face, the colo: of
health returned, but he did not smile.
This time he uttered his thanks sadly.
Il thank you, doctor. The pain has
once more disappeared in few days
the wound will have healed. Neverthe.
less, you must not be surprised ifyou see
me make my appearance in n months
time
My dear sir, dismiss such thoughts
from your mind
Il know that the pain will return in
months time said the stranger, deject-
edly. But be it us fate has decreed.
1u repoir.'
The doctor informed several of his
colleagues of this singular case, and each
formed different opinion on the subject,
without, however, any of them being able
to give plausible explanation. Toward
the end ofthe month X. awaited his myS-
terious visitor with anxiety. But the
month passed and no one came, Several
more weeks elapsed, and at last the doctor
received letter dated from his patients
residence. He opened it, TWAS closely
written, and he saw by tho signature that
his patient had written it with his hand,
from which he concluded that the pain had
not returned, for il it had he could hardly
have held the pen.
The letter ran us follows
My DEAR DOCToR: | do not wish that
either you or medca! science should be left
in doubt as to the strange disease which
will soon bring me to my grave-Nnd even
elsewhere.
Il am about to describe to you the origin
of this terrible malady. 1t broke out Il
week ago for the third time, and cannot
against it any longer. AT the
present moment | can only manage to
trace these line by placing on the sensitive
parta piece of lighted finder, to serve ms
a catapasm. AS long MS the tinder burns
90 not feel the other pan-and it moth
ing in comparison.
"Sx months ago | was still very
happy man. | lived without caro-, on
my income. | was on friendly terms
with all the world, | took Pleasure in ev-
erything ,hat can interest II man ofthirty-
five. ! had married, ayear ago mar
red for love--a most beautiful young girl
of cultivated mind and with the best
heart in the world, who hnd been com
pnnion to a certain Countess, M neigh
Dor. Ally wife had no fortune, and the
love she had for me was not only graft,
tude but also the genuine affection OF n
child. Six months passed in such way
that the mon always seemed to me
happier than the eve. Ifsometimes |
was obliged to go to Pesth and leave my
home for day, my wife had not II mo-
ment's peace. She would come two
miles ON the road to meet mo. Ii | was
bentei. she would stay awake all night
waiting for me. and it by dint of entrenty
she was prevailed upon to go and see her
former distress, who wns still very fond
of her, no power on earth could keep her
there more thnn halfa day, and even
then her regrets for my absence put the
Others out of temper. Her fondness for
me went so far Ns to make her give up
dancing, SO MS not to be obliged to put
her hand into n Strangers and nothing
caused her such grave displensure rs the
compliments she was npt to receive. In
II word, | had for my wifo an innocent
child, who had no thought but for me,
and who would confess her dreams to me
ms enormous crimes if she had not dreamt
of me-"
One day | know not whnt demon
whispered in my ear: Suppose all this
were only dissimulation 2 Men are
mad enough TO seek how they can tor
ment themselves in the midst Of the
greatest happiness"
My wife had worlt-table, the draw.
er of which she kept carefully locked.
had noticed this several times. She new
or forgot the key, aud never lett the draw
er open
The question ran in my head -
" What can she be hiding from me
there ?" / had taken leave Of my senses.
| no longer believed either in The inno-
cence Of her face or in the purity OF her
eyes, in her caresses or in her kisses. .--
Suppose al! that were nothing bat hypoc-
risy
Zone morning the Countess came TO
fetch her, and, after much entreaty, sue
ceeded in deciding her 20 spend the day
with her. Our estates were some miles
apart and promised my wife To o and
Join her.
As soon as the carriage had left the
courtyard, | gathered together all the
keys OF the house, and tried them in the
lock of the little drawer. One Of them
opened it. | felt like man committing
his first crime. | was thief about 10
surprise the secrets Of a feeble woman. -
My hands trembed as drew from out
the drawer, prudently, carefully, one by
one, the objects contained therein, so tbnt
no confusion should betray that strange
hand had rHnsacked them. Ny breast
heaved | was well-nigh suiiocated o
Behold, suddenly, beneath mass Of lace.
had placed my hand on paclSe: of
letters | felt ms il II fash Of lightning
had passed from my head to my heart.
Alas ! one glance told me what these
letters were They were love letters |
"The packet was tied by pink rib.
bon with silver edge.
As | touched the libbon the thought
occurred to mo Is this right? Is this
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