The National tribune., 1883-01-04
| I
room in NV most professional

4AE. Jonathan DlllO0.
Il
] entered the room in my most professional
manner, and, looking straight before me, at
once saw what was unmistakably old Dillon"
but so much wrapped up that very little more
than quarter of his face was visible / can
honestly say ] never noticed Miss Dillon till
her father himself waved a small fat hand in
her direction, saying:
My daughter, Dr.. Merrifeld; she always
comes with me wherever go for ! am so in
firm ] don't think it is safe to be left alone
tut she enjoys excellent health. This last re-
mark was said in a most dcplorable tone, and
as l turned almost started with surprise, for
old Dillon'S daughter was a small, dehcateiy-
made glr., who could not be much more than
seventeen years old. Her forehead was en-
circlcd by the most golden hair had ever seen,
and her face though not what could be called
extremely beautiful, was yet one of the sweet,
est ] had ever gaZCd at. The expression was
SO simple, the large blue eyes were so innocent
and shy, that for a moment | was completely
lost in wondering how such d man as the one
before me had any right TO possess such q
daughter. Miss Dillon was evidently very re-
firing and at this moment also feeling de trop.
dare say, DR.: MerriGcld,' she said hur-
riedly, blushing up TO the roots of her hair,
that there Is a room ] might sit in while you
hold your consultation. Papa never likes me
to leave him alone q minute for fear anything
should happen. Anywhere viii do"
bowed and rang the bell, saying, in as calm
a tone as possible: Show Miss Dillon into the
study"
The vision Of fair hair having disappeared, I
gave myself up to the examination OF my pa
tient, After careful inquiry, | came to a
conclusion which made me certain that this
was the last time l should see Mr.. Dillon, the
truth being there was nothing much the matter
with him. that the old man was r regular
hypochondriac; in fact, that all his ailments
were imaginary. But yet, come what might,
/ must speak Tie truth; even for the ssi,e OF
further lees ] must not give a dishonest opin-
ion. l would not be the first Of the thirteen to
act a lie.
Mr.. Dillon now began to give me minute
account Of his ailments and to repeat the ad
vice of various doctors
''And now, DR.. Merrifeld, feel sure you viii
agree with he in thinking t absolutely inn
perative that / should leave England at once
to cure this troublesome cough"
If only l could have agreed with him;
but no.
Quite the contrary" / said calmly. al
think you should stay in England, the finest
and most healthy climate for a constitution
ike yours"
Bless me! bless mel" calculated Mr.. Dillon,
looking distressed. DE you really think SO ?"
without a shadow of doubt, sir"
But about exercise? l ought to take very
little of course?"
Not at all; the more you walk the better it
viii be for you"
You are quite unique, sir, in your opinion
remarkable But abouta prescription, doctor.
I suppose You will write one for me, to allay
this cough, for instance?"
No. ! answered, "any ordinary lozenge
viii suffice" knew now l had signed my
death-waTrant; or rather, thought l knew;
for what was my surprise when MIR. Dillon ex-
claimed:
My dear sir, you are the first physician
who has given me no prescription! l believe
you understand nay case. | hope | may come
and consult you rs often as l feel the need of
it; which need, l grieve TO say, occurs fre-
quently."
was amazed. Curiously enough, for once
the truth had pleased the old man, but now
was obliged TO answer:
am sure you will find it quite unnecessary
TO come again, unless some unforeseen"
Tut, tut, DIR. Merrifeld, not one of my
many medical advisers ever told me not to come
again. l assure you ! shall come again, what
ever you may say, and many times, too; and /
hope to send others of the family here. We all
have wretehed constitutions-all except Lucia;
I've often wanted her tosee a doctor, but it's no
good the girl never complains, even of head
ache"
This time 1 really smiled. al am sure we
doctors are only too glad TO see lady in perfect
health, The present excited life which many
of them lead" but Mr.. Dillon was not listen
ing to me- for he suddenly turned round for
he had risen to lcave), coughed violently, and
then, after nervous fumbing among the
pockets of his great coat, he said
Bless me had nearly forgotten an impor-
tant little matter Believe me, sir, / never
gave fee with greater pleasure or more graft
tude." He pressed his fat hand into mine and
/ felt small round thing slipped dexTousy
into my palm. ] then went TO release the yis-
ion of fair hair from my den, and at once hoped
that if Mr. Dillon did come again Miss Lucia
would always accompany him. / escorted
the pair to the front door, and just as Mr. Dillon
had entered the carriage his daughter made
prCtense to run back for a glove.
Please forgive me, DR.. Aerrifeld" she said,
looking right up into my face with a most
anxious expression on her sweet countenance.
" Please forgive me, but what do you really
think Of papa?"
"In excellent health, Miss Dillon. Pray
don't be anxious" But before she could gay
any more her father called her impatiently,
and she was gone with just one sweet smile and
q " Thank you so much" for all the world as if
/ had just cured her father of some obstinate
disease.
and now, cIasping my first fee, ] returned to
my room. There unclasped my hand, and, III
the middle Of my palm, lay bright, hard, yell
low ginger lozenge
The expectation had been great, and the
realization was so small that burst out laugh
ing at my own bad luck and my discontinue
Yet not for d moment did it enter my head to
acquaint my patient with his mistake. / felt
sure if Idid so the vision of golden hair would
blush with confusion, even though did not
see her, and the blue, truthful eyes would look
troubled.
No. my first fee was not worth guinea, but
such as it Was, did not hate it, because-ah,
well, might well call myself fool for even
laucying that /, Arthur Merrifield penniless
and unknown, should for a moment dream that
/ had fallen in love at first sight with my rich
patients only daughter
] put the lozenge away in q box, and that
night l again slept the sleep Of q feeless physi-
clan.
The next day found myself thinking Of
vision Of fair hair, instead of taking in the
sense Of a clever treatise on the anatomy of The
hand, which certainly could in no way be CON
nerted with the events Of the day before
Curiously enough, however, about ii o'clock q
cab drove up to the door, and what was my as
tOnishment-I need hardly say pleasure-when
Miss Dillon, followed by an elderly maid, made
!. Oh. ID L.