Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1883-08-31

have my OCCASIONAL customs. While always
ready TO exercise my skill in behalf of human
suffering, demand in return certain eqniva-
lentsT From some one thing, from some an
o other, money but seldom, for I am wealthy;
butt compel my patients to feel that when the
sonIe is effected we are but quits have al
ready told you that it will give me pleasure to
attempt the relief of your husband: but I
omitted to mention the equivalent Are you
prepared to give it?'
"Anything-even my lifep'
I MOT your life. by any means. I shall mere
" require you, a. soon as he is restored to
health. TO leave this town, never to return
You will leave it alone, concealing from your
husband your route and your destination
Never henceforth will you either see him or
hold any manner Of communication with him.
DO you agree?'
The lady had risen to her feet, and was press
ing one hand over her heart Her eyes searched
Dr. Carajo's countenance with terrible inten-
sity. "Will you fulfill your part Of the con-
tract?" she demanded.
II WILL" he replied
Her bosom rose and fell rapidly, her face
qu'vered, aud was now pale, now red. At last
she said, with gasp, as if her words tore her
life UP by the roots: s"rhen I consent God
hear me, and juoge between us!'
BE it So" rejoined the doctor bravely.
Aud Low, if you please, will accompany you
to your husband On the way you will inform
me as to his alment He shall be brought to
my house and YOU shall witness my treatment
of him. Afterward-," he madea significant
gesture The lady moved her head in assent
But as they left the balcony a thought struck
her, and she turned again.
You will not lot him know that you-
are-?"
Il will let him know that I am Dr. Caraio,
Madam" said the other, bowling coldly and
making way for her to pass.
Dr. Carajo's private room was az COOL as
quiet and as secluded as the doctor himself.
The floor was of fine Pompeian mosaic, partly
covered with rings Of deicately woven Indian
mating The lower part of the walls was of
yellow marble, relieved with black; above were
panels of rich woods, highly polished. The
ceiling was vaulted, and contained window of
stained glass; in the nature of skyiight
At one end of the room was a deep
alcove, across to which was suspended screen
or veil of some Soft, silken fabric, through
which the interior OF the room could be seen,
though the observer himself could be invisi-
bic. Large leaved plants stood here and there
IN marble vases; low plants and tables were
placed in convenient positions; and in the CEN
ter Of the chamber was broad couch or OTTO
man, cushioned, and draped with the finest
cambria. At the end opposite the alcove was
a small watsr-jet, playing with a tinklng
through the mouth Of bronze lion's head into
a marble basin attached to the wall de-
apartment, which was entirely removed from
all outside noises and influences.
Three persons were present in this room
Dr.. Carajo, tho lady, and man who lay at
full length upon the couch. He was tall and
powerfully formed, with broad shoulders and
massive limbs. His features expressed strength
and vigor; too rugged to be called handsome,
but full of masculine pith and ability. A thick
brown beard covered the lower pnrt of his
face; his eyes were closed, and ne lay in an
1okl
his arms, which were bare, appeared num-
Der OF small spots or blotches of a purplish
hue But for slight intermittent movement
of the chest, indicating subdued respiration.
the man might have been supposed to be dead
s"The opiate will exhaust It's effects in a few
minutes observed DR.. Caraio, bending over
his patient and cycling him CT itically. s'From
this time the active phase of the case begins.
The poison has thus far made itsslf percepti-
BILE only by superficial heat and singing It
will now lay hold on tho interior parts Of the
organization: there will be little or no pain, but
more danger"
Chow long will this last?" asked the lady.
who had now assumed demeanor outwardlY
as quiet and self possessed as the doctors
own. "We may expect three separate stages"
hours. The patient will retain his faculties,
but their action will be modified in peculiar
manner in each of the three stages. AS the
poison strikes more and more deeply inward
You will notice corresponding alteration in
all! he begins to awake"
SIS there any hope?" asked the lady.
'sThe poison is one Of the most insidious and
deadly known to SCIENCE and also one of the
rarest," the doctor replied. s'Probably few
men besides myself know how to deal with it
all The strong vital power Of the patient is in
his favor; on the other hand, too, a long time
elapsed before the treatment began. have an
autidote hero which, had it been given imme-
diately, would have overcome the evil"
''And how, should you give it now?" de-
manded the lady.
the expense of the patents life He has not
now the strength to undergo the necessary
s'What shall YOU do9''
II shall administer drugs which will have
the double effect Of increasing the vital power
and weakening the action of the poison. HUI
man skill Can do no more Hush he will
open his eyes in another moment. He must
not be aware Of your presence Step into that
alcove and make sound. You can there see
all that passes Let nothing that he may say
induce you to discover yourself unless give
you the sign. "
The lady moved to the side Of the couch,
bent quickly and kissed the forehead Of the
half-unconscious man, and then drew back
and vanished behind the curtain of the alcove.
u6 HAL u1ST uCCp duU uutCh OLEGttl,
moved slightly on his cushions and opened his
eyes, His glance wandered round the room,
and passed over Dr. Carajo several times be-
fore seeming to take note Of him. When at
length 1t conferred upon him, the man said, In
a deep and rssona ut voice: ':You are my ply.
stefan, l suppose? / feel better-fresh from
pain and more strength-thanks to your skill,
no doubt How soon do you promise to have
me ND again."
stIt is now o'clock in the morning, " said
D., onk1, ~
crisis will have passed"
s'The crisis! Humph! Then I'm not out of
danger yet? Tell me the truth, doctor; I'm
not afraid to hear it Death OF lile-which
is it?'
:.sincc you have chosen to ask, will reply"
but it is more probable that you will die"
''Humph! Well, such is life-and death. /
have l1ved-I have been alive--as much as
most men, And this is to be the end? The
end; a strange idea that!'' He was silent
moment or two, and then said: "Where is
Leuore?"
A slight contraction overshadowed the doc
tors brow and passed away again.
II presume you refer to your wife?" he
said.
there's any meaning in words. Where is she?'
1T was indispensable, for her sake and your
own, that she should remain apart from you
for the present She will be summoned az
soon as safety will allow, or as soon as hope
vanishea"
''Poor darling! What would become Of her
were to go?" muttered the patient, half to
himself 'I must tighten my grip for her
sake. Not die! no-no! She gave herself to
me, body and soul, and must stand by her
to the end There, again-the end! Is this
it? It ian't what expected Me to die, and
she to live on? It mustn't be! my darling
my Lenore! What life we have had these
three years past? what a love! Nevera days