The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-05-24

~NNRCA ACAhCNuCo WSI6 SD
successfully that in o few minutes the
victim was aroused from the state of
coma into which she had fallen, and
brought to her feet. Then began the
heroic treatment. She was beaten with
hands, pricked with sharp points, and
subjected to repeated shocks from q gal
vanic battery, while her stomach was at
tackled with tho most powerful emetics,
and all the while she was kept walking
up and down the room, despite her
pleadings to be allowed to lie down and
close her eyes.
It took many hours before the I'M
mediate danger passed away. Then the
Doctor sought the Baronet in his library.
and said without preface:
"Your daughter, sir, is q confirmed
opium eater; not only has she used the
drug in that form, but she has taken it
simultaneously"
'"This is horrible news" moaned the
father. "Cannot this frightful habit be
checked and finally stoppedp If you
can stop it, Or if you think you can, re-
lin9uish your career to devote yourself
to the task, and will give you my
whole fortune; nay, even my life"
DR.. Fielding shook his head gloomily.
No" he said, "science has not done
that. Even in Paradise appetite reigned
| and ruined"
| That night the Doctor pored over his
| books, and finally, rs if possessed of
some new impulse, he hastened to his
laboratory, and selecting from its shelves
n bottle, carefully measured out portion
Of morphia. He WIS about to conduct
an experiment. OF which he himself was
to he the subject.
| 1t docs not require many months for
opium to assert its sway. Within year
the subject had become the ruler, and
| tho student was enthrallcd probably
beyond the power Of escape. Meanwhile
he devoted himself to the case OF tho
Baronct's daughter. Ho sacrificed his
own career, stunned his old associates.
gave up all practice, and either passed
his time by her side, or in the retire
( ment of his own rooms, dreaming in
blissful, fateful sleep.
into the morbid brain of tho Doctor
came visions Of lands in oso glorious
confines goddess dwelt and ruled. Into
his heart tlCro came q new sensation OF
pleasure and pain. And bcsOttrd by
the drug, or wrapped in tho slumbers Of
its creation, one thought alone pulsated
III his brain. Ho was in love with his
patient. And for time his efforts were
crowned with encouraging results.
| Deroting all his attention to her case, he
at last checked her craving for the drug.
| and looScncd the fctters of habit, though.
unfortunately, without being able to
break them. The father, noticing tho
hrst results, was transported with JOY
but seeing that the improvement was not
permanent, became the prey of renewed
anxiety. Flo questioned tho Doctor
plOgnJV y.
faction. Sad experience had given him
, keen insight. Ono day the thought
| flashed upon him that the Doctor himself
betrayed symptoms of being an opium
slave. Hc bluntly put the question.
Do you take opium ?"
Tho Doctors pallid face, his trembling
nerves, his lustrelcss eyes, gavo one an
swer but the honor of tho man made
him pause before lie opened his lips
and lied. Hehad been devotng 80 much
! labor and time to the study of this case.
he said, that his health had felt somo iii
effects; but he had now become even
more hopeful than over, and he felt TINT
the future was bright with almost as.
surcd hope. He snid it was clear that
the father himself had become the prey
OF his unfortunately morbid surround
inSs, and that he sorely needed change
OF air. 'In short, you should go Oh n
sea voyage, hope for the best for your
daughter, and when you return you will
receive good news. assure you that
you will"
Rcassured by this confident tone and
manner, the Baronet acted upon DIR,
flelding's suggestion. Ho was away for
considerable time, and being continu
ally advised Of the rapidly progressing
| recovery Of his child, returned at last,
improved in health and full of JOYOUS
antcipations. His arrival was auitc un-
| expected. The butlerndmitted him, but
lie pushed rapidly by and entered tho
room where it was indicated he would
| find his child. There he encountered
the Doctor, who was just arousing him.
sell from an opium sleep. His daughter,
half awake, was reposing in mn arm chair,
! her eyes half closed, tho lines of her face
softening and changing rs her mind
swayed in the elysirm of tho opiatc,
| Horror-stricken, the father dashed TO-
ward the Doctor, with look upon his
face that told OF murder. But. ut that
moment natures hand stayed him, his
| heart ceased to beat, his eyes closed, his
| form tottered and he iell to the floor
Aroplexy, brought on in the moment
Of wild excitement, had claimed victim.
| Tho Doctormad feeble effort to restore
him, but his vncillating mind could not
| grasp the necessary treatment. When
the servants came in, they found him by
the body, gibbering idiotically. They
carried him away, leaving for the time,
| the beautiful victim Of an incurablc
| malady asleep in her chair.