Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-03-08
The Sturp Teller.
The Mysterious Patient.
A PHYSICIANS STORY.

A PHYSICIANS STORY.
Ihad graduated in the spring Of 1877 from
the College Of Physicians and Surgeons III
New York, and was pronounced by II capa
BILE of taking human health, and even lie
into my hands. spent many hours In
pondering the question how !, an unknown
man, was to secure the position anu prac,
tice had resolved to win. Fortunately
was not as destitute of means as OF patients
so I resolved at once to take a line once on
Madison avenue, to have my coupe at the
door after Office hours and to 60 in and out
as though overcrowded with calls. This
was nothing more nor less than advertising,
but it was not of tabOoed kind.
One evening in midsummer-fOr l al
lowed myself no vacation that year. was
sitting in my inner office when the sOund
of a carriage stopping at my door, ana I'M
mediately afterWard steps hurrylng up the
stoop, arrested my attention. MY oflce
bow ushered man in the Waltlng-room.
I detained him long enough to indulge my
sense of Importance, then rang Tor the poy
to bring him to me.
"Confound itv' exclaimed my visitor,
eff I had known you'd keep me waiting,
I'd have gone somewhere else! Come now
with me!'
."Where ?" asked.
.'No matter now. I'll tell you as we go.
It's case requiring desperate haste"
took my hat and followed my imperious
visitor into the carriage. He gave hur,
ried order to the coachman, and we dashed
off.
"What is the case?" 1 asked.
''That's for you to tell me, If you know
anything about your business" was the
testy and unexpected reply.
NV q
years. His face would have been noble eX'
cept for an expression of self-Will, which
almost ruined it. His bearing was that OF
q man of the world; his manners almost
though not quite-ti1Ose of gentleman
AS he had relapsed into silence after his
last reply, followed his example, and sat
quietly awaiting the next turn of affairs. :,
The carriage stopped at a plain brick
house in quiet neighborhood. Before the
opened the door, and with the one WOro
"Comew led me up the steps.
The door was Immediately opened IRON
within, and we assembled to the second
story. What was my amazement to tlno
myself in an apartment furnished not only
very luxuriously, but with rare magnlh
cence. =,
probably hesitated moment on the
threshold, for my companion again salo
"Come," in the imperious tone with which
had grown familiar, and turned to the bed
There lay my patient-a young girl abou
eighteen. Her large blue eyes, duiled witt
her. Her long golden hair was tossed over
the pillow, looking like halo around the
beautiful head. Who was this man who
with middle-aged woman, was the only
apparent guardian of such youth and love
illness?
But the case was so serious I soon pu
aside every thought not connected with tht
patient. TO my occasional questions tht
nurse gave me replies as, brief as the maj
had given.
wrote my prescription, gave the neces
sary directions for the night, saying
would call early in the morning, and rost
door.
"What's your fee?" said he.
told him.
He put bank note into my hand, say
aCome early tomorrow. Give the cas-
every attention. I'll make it worth you
while"
l Judged from his tone that he was pleas
ed with my appearance, and Ventured Il
ask if the lady was his wife.
''She is your patient: You need know
mourning WAS Ills ClIG Ieplys
I bowed and went out into the night
The carriage was waiting, so L entered
and was soon at home.
While was taking my breakfast mex
morning the office boy entered the room
and said:
'The carriage is waiting, sir"
Instinct told me what carriage it was.
I went at once, anxious to know the e1
fects of my prescription on my mysteriou
patient.
Daylight showed only more plainly thai
night had done the humble exterior of tn
house and it's questionable neighborhood
The door, as on the previous night, wa
opened Immediately on my presenting my
self.
I assembled the stairs and entered tn
chamber door.
Ny visitor of the night before nodded
formal recognition, which 1 returned wit
equal indifference as went to the bed.
No light of intelligence beamed from tn
beautiful eyes that wandered restlessl
around the room. There was less feve
and in severa! ways my lovely, patle1
ton than when I first saw her. gave m
directions and rose to depart.
AS before, the man met me as l passe
out and put a bank note into my hant
Was this to prepare the way for his sudde
disappearance at any time he might choos
to GO? 1 suspected it was. >,
For several weeks I continued my visit
Although the conditions of general healt
improved, was not satisfied with the r.
suits of my treatment of the disease. Thel
were fluctuations which at times encou
aged me, but the disease was obstinate an
would not yield.
During all this time had no knowlede
of these people or their relations to eae
other.
1t was evident that they wished to col
ceal themselves from their friends, and
always feared there was something wror
about it.
But that was none of my business.
was my duty, however, if possible, to fin
the cause of this lovely girls illness, as
was evident that / needed this to aid me
securing her recovery. So I asked for
private interview with the man whom
had to myself called Cerberus.
Very reluctantly he led me to room b
low, the condition Of which showed tn
all the house was not furnished as the your