The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-07-08
HIS FIRST PATIENT.
BY FRANK II. STAuFFER.

fixed upon vacancy, the light from the SIDE c
falling upon his worn, ANXIOUS face.
The room was barely comfortable, The
floor was covered with mating. The val
paper was shabby, but was chceriully relieved
by few cheap, yet brightly colored, chromos
and the heavily gilt frame which inclosed his
Diploma. A desk somewhat Uttered, book
case but partially filled, an ola fashioned sofa
and few stuffed, stiff backed chairs, were all
the furniture visible We say visible, because
within a small, curtained alcove, were low,
narrow bedstead, and dlngy toilet stand, IN
keeping with the cracked wash bowl and
pitcher which surmOrnted 1t, and with the
rlckety towclrack which stood beside it.
The doctor was quite young man, prepos'
sessing In appearance, and positive IN his
manncr-his grave, thoughtful face indicating
character and fair degree of reserved strength,
HIS clothes had seedy look; they were en-
tire but much worn, fraycd around the button
holes the faded binding rendered less noticea-
bic by the application OF ink
In fact the doctor WAS very poor, ana the
outlook for the future was IN no wise encourag-
ING. He had been located IN that quarter OF
the city for three months, and yet had not re-.
celyed "A single professional call lie mad
spent his means and had been compelled to
pawn his surgical instruments and Il few OF
his books he was in arrears for boarding, whlle
the landlord had gwen him notice to Vaca'c
the room
The doctor was not to blame for his straight
ened circumstances. He had practced rigid
economy; he had nailed up his sign and dis
tributed his circulars; he was at least theo'
retlcaIIy well up in his profession; his address
was in his favCr he had patiently waited,
There was not much sickness in the neighbor-
I, la, l.ltA NttslL
went into the hands OF the older practitioners.
No wonder that the young doctors attitude
was a forlorn one, and the expression OF his
face almost devoid of hope.
Suddenly his countenancc frightened, Some
one had pulled the bell. Who else, If not
patient? He opened the door, and lady en-
tered She was closely vellcd, and yet he
knew that she was young, because OF the elias
ticitV in her movements.
"You are Dr. Ventnor?" she asked her
voice sweet and distinct, though slightly trem
ulous
AT your service, madam" he answered,
with polite bow. Pray, be seated"
She took the chair which he placed for her,
and removed her veil and rs she did 50, he
noticed that her hand was small, white, shape.
ly and bejcwclcd. Her face was exceedingly
far, though it wore troubled look. Her eyes
were UIhCh anu lustTOuS. u ihIi'
survey of the room and then rested upon the
doctors face in such a steady, calculating, es
tmatlng way that he felt the blood filing his
checks.
81 wish yon to call upon my father" she
said.
ITO night?" asked the doctor
"Well-no" she debatingly answered. To-
morrow will do. | tell you beforehand, it's an
old case, and bad one. If you succeed IN
relieving him you have only to name your
fee"
"What Is his maady?" asked the doctor.
'IIe's a hypocondrlac," she slowly, half un
willingly admitted, the color coming and go
ing in her face. ale has n strange hallucna.
ton and if he Is not lifted out Of 1t 1t will end
IN his death"
The doctor was becoming fascinated with
the sweet voice. the graceful gestures the
black eyes which grew more lustrous because
anxiety had filled them with tears. He drew
his chair nearer to her own.
"You have consulted other Physicians" he
asked.
"Quite number" she replied, a little hur
riedly. Some Of the best in the city"
without success"
"Oh, of course" and she spoke with impa-
thence. They had no-nO-lntentions They
argued, and-hooted"
There was something charming about those
passes in the choice of words.
"You think they should have humored
him?' the doctor asked.
"Gesn she answered, her face frightening
wOndrOusly "IOu have caught the idea.
Oh, sir, | believe that you can cure him.
In her excited eagerness, she unconsciously
laid her hand on his arm, and the touch
thrilled hlm
nv W IN Ia IN hn uSIy
am young-ineXpcrle Observation-Disclosures"
"Why?" she inquired with searching
look, 81 do not know. Why do we do queer
things" and she smiled II little oddly
"Ihey come to us like a--a-reveatiOn."
IL was an ambiguous explanation, and ye,
he understood her
Perhaps the other physicians were too odd
and knew too much" she added, the odd smile
again stirring her lips.
II will do what can" Inc doctor gravcly
sad. What is the character of the hallucna
tIOn!"
at is concerning his food" she slowly re-
pied, the plquancy dying out other face. "Or
to be precise, it concerns what Is given him to
drink For days at time nothing liquid
passes his lips. Oh, it is just drcadfulw
There are rational intervals?' the doctor
asked.
Yes, thank God" She exclaimed, with
sweet iervor; otherwise he would be in his
grave"
lie tancles tue water to be poisoned, ell ?"
"oh, worse" cried the lovely visitor Filled
with the tircst needles"
An" CIRCULATED Dr. Ncntnor. He was
thoughtful for minute--thcn added: GIVE
me your address. I'll come tomorrow"
She handed HIM card upon which was
printed
G.. b BRANSoN,
No. -, Watam street, Philadelphia.
The doctor knew the gentleman by repu
tauon; he felt sure tina, there was heavy fec
in prospect
You VIII be sure 10 Gomez" his VISITOR
asked with delightful tremor IN her voice
she arose, and dropped her veil over her
face her diamond rings catching, u thousand
sparlles of light
without tail" was the doctors answer. AS
he accompanied her to the door. rs your