The weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1883, 1883-05-09

1t does not require many months for
opium to assert its sway. Within year
the subject had become ruler, and the
student was enthralled probably beyond
the power of escape. Meanwhile he de-
voted himself to the care of the baronet's
daughter. He sacrificed his own career
Stunned his old associates, gave up all
practice, and either passed his time by
her side or in the retirement of his own
rooms, dreaming in blissful, fateful sleep.
Into the morbid brain of the doctor
came visions of lands in whose glorious
confines goddess dwelt and ruled. Into
his heart there came a new sensation of
pleasure and pain. And besotted by the
drug, or wrapped in the slumber of its
creation, one thought alone pulsated in
his brain. He was in love with his pa
tient. And for time his efforts were
crowned with encouraging results. De-
voting all his attention to her case, he at
last checked her craving for the drug,
and loosened the fetters of habit. though,
unfortunately. without being able to
break them. The father, noticing the
first results, was transported with joy,
but seeing that the improvement was not
permanent, became the Eepex-
tAfanxnty.--Hea eaquesttiia he'd -ths doeteF
closely. The answer gave him no salts
faction. Sad experience had given him a
keen insight. One day the thought
flashed upon him that the doctor himself
betrayed symptoms of being an opium
slave. He bluntly put the question:
"Do you take opium?"
The doctors pallid face, his trembling
nerves, his lusterless eyes, gave one an
swer, but the honor of the man made
him pause before he opened his lips
and lied. He had been devoting SO much
labor and time to the study of this case,
he said, that his health had felt some i'll
effects; but he had now become more
hopeful than eyer, and he felt that the
future was bright with almost assured
hope. He said it was clear that the
father himself had become the prey of
his unfortunately morbid surroundings,
and that he solely needed change of air.
"In short you should 60 on a sea-voyage,
hope for the best for your daughter, and
when you return you will receive good
news. I assure you that you will"
Reassured by this confident tone and
manner, the baronet acted upon DR..
Fielding's suggestion. He 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 an
ticipations. His arrival was quite unex-
pected. The butler admitted him, but
he pushed rapidly by and entered the
room where it was indicated he would
find his child. There he encountered
the doctor, who was just arousing himself
from an opium sleep. His daughter half
awake, half reposing in an armchair, her
eyes half closed, the lines Of face soft
ening and changing as her mind swayed
in the elysium of the opiate. Horror
stricken, the father dashed toward the
doctor, with look upon his face that
told Of murder. But at that moment
natures hand stayed him, his heart
ceased to beat. his ewes closed, his form
tottered and he fell to the floor. Apo
plexy, brought on in the moment of wild
excitement, had claimed a victim. The
doctor made feeble effort to restore
him, bnt his vacillating 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 incurable NAL.
ady asleep in her chair.