The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-07-05
A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.

uentS numOer the wife of IA deceased
army officer. The generals wife was
case of nervous debility. She had. so to
speak, genius for nervousness; her
body, like her soul, vibrated at touch,
like delicate stringed instrument IN
der skillful masters hand. She was
an excellent wife, and she adored sec
ond husband, whom she married soon
after the death of the general, whose
title the world continued to give her.
She worshipped the last husband, but
unfortunately, the unworthy scamp
much younger than his wife-in no way
deserved the self sacrificing tenderness
and the loving solicitude with which she
treated him. Whenever and whenever
AZ inducement offered he stole away
from an elegant home, and spent
the night as we'll as his wifes mon
ey in dissipation.
The wife's sorrow and despair were
boundless, all the more as the frivolous
youth. who had every reason to avoid an
open rupture. knew how to preserve ap-
pearances with an inexhaustible store of
lndisputabie evasions and excuses. He
lied ami cheated with the thorough and
untiring attention of a man to whom
fraud and artifce yielded income of
many thousands. Thus she was unable
TO get any proof of his infdelity. Never
theless, her unerring instinct told her
that her husband deceived her and was
unfaithful, a thought that entirely I'M
settled her highly nervous organiza.
ton.
Moreover. she put his different state.
ments together and discovered little
oontradiciions-defic Then the
poor woman shed some bitter tears and
sobbed in heart breaking fashion, and
became so miserable that she was not
ashamed, under the circumstances, to
consult mef, her ia nily physician and
trusted adviser. At first strove to calm
her in the uaual way, by lying.
But, alas! I soon saw these innocent
expedients were not sufficient. So the
generals wife often sat for hours in my
study, crying and wrlnging her hands
with incessant grief. One day she sat
on the sofa. her head buried in her
hands, grooming and moaning in agony
of soul. Without design, beyond trying
to soothe her, I smoothed her forehead
several times with my hand, and saw, to
my great surprise, the sobbing woman
become quiet, Involuntary let her
hands fall to her side, draw regular
breaths, and soon fall into a profound
sleep.
Ny establishment merg ID into Joy, for
the poor woman With her grief had be-
come little troublesome. Therefore l
which she lay into the next room. After
o while awakened her by blowing into
her face, and told her that she had slept
- Oh xkok koe
world Of good. feel, indeed, doctor,
that You are right. Probably have
been a fool to suspect my good hus.
band"
She gratefully pressed my hand and
departed, hopefully smiling
About a month afterwsrd the coupe of
the generals wife stopped again before
my door, and the poor wife sat with
weeping eyes in my study. Renewed
grosns, renewed tears. l told her to 60
10 the little room. l made the same
passes lightly over her brow as on the
former occasion, and she slept again in a
moment. Again she awoke in caimer
state, and hastened to her husband.
She repeated the call quite frequently.
One day the generals wife came to
me unusually agitated, and confessed
with tears that her husband had not
come home the previous night. Ny
Office hours we're nearly over; my wait
ing room was thronged. I gently led
her into the little room, put her to sleep
rs usual. locked the door and went back
TO my studies. Ny servant brought an
urgent dispatch. A Brazilian prince
was dangerously i'll; . difficult surgical
operation must be performed, and they
honored me With request that should
perform it. The steamship would leave
Bordeaux Dext morning. To catch the
night train must start ct once. I OK.
oused myself to my patierts. Iquickly
packed all the necessary instruments and
books. bought = ticket and soon left
Paris far behind.
The train WAS late; the steamer was
waiting for NJ. ] was scarcely on deck
before the signal for departure was
sounded and We were moving. went
q ooce TO my cabin. unpacked my sci
enti6c works and lost myself in reading.
l thought OF the great honor fallen 10
my share, and alternsted between hope
aud fear - to The success Of tue opera.
tion. Wearied With the days excite
ment. vent to sleep aud did not awake
till morning. vent on deck. The cap
eain approached No.
I'VE seem 10 havs cone . good way.
saptain9"