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

cigar His chair was curious bamboo struct-
ure, Of japanese manufacture: and upon the
carved stone balustyade beside him stood a
gobles OF etian glass half full of iced sher-
bet Tho doctor sat in the clear shadow, aud
gaz7d cut meditatively upon lovely
prospect Of semi tropical sea aud shore
His lonse, bult in the Spanish style
stood on height OF the verge Of
sfe antique 'own--a town of narrow, irregular
streets aud high shonldered buildings, with
projecting winlows and arched doorways. 1t
has not altered 10 hundreds Of years. save to
grow eraver more indolent and more venera-
bic. Here and there on the outskirts clusters
of palm trees supported their dark, waving
plumes Hn delicate stems; to the right great
river merged slum bering into the sea.
Across this scene the afternoon sun flung
broad, mellow radiance, and breathings of
delicious air came up with messages Of cool
ness from the ocean.
In this lovely and forgotten spot Dr. Carajo
had lived three years. Not every man could
have made himself part Of such community
without occaslonlng good deal Of excitement
and remark; a stranger was nowhere SO much
a stranger as in tlat ancient town. But DR..
Carajo had ven'ured into the still and I'M
memoir lal life of the place as quietly and uu-
remarka bly, as shadow of the evening. Quiet
and reserved he was Of manner, but he was
in no sense an Insignificant man. His forehead
Was wide and high, with a peculiar fneness OF
modelling about the temples; thin black hair,
about his head. HIS brows were heavy, his
eyes deep-set and black, with clear. calm
gaze, which never kindled into wrath or
melted into tenderness. His nose was straight,
with sensitive nostris; his mouth and
chin were concealed by heavy gray
mustache and imperial In figure lie was
slight, somewhat round -shouldered, and he
had grave, methodcal way of walking, not
devoid Of unconscious dignity. In his bearing
toward others he was courteous, but wholly
cold and unmpassioned His smile was rare and
slightly conten utuous. His voice was musical
and low, but somewhat metallic; his speech
brief, unhurried aud careful He seemed not
90 much man, with warm blood in
his veins and living interests in
his heart, as a serene and loveless abstraction
Of certain human qualities Thus he came
among the people Of the old town unquestioned
and, in social sense, almost unobaerved. He
brought no wife with him, nor were there any
female servants in his household. He never
was known to seek woman's company, nor to
indicate by his demeanor any percep-
man Of learning, ''' wealth ' aud
great skill in his profession, his reputation in
the community was unrivaled, and people con-
suited him as they might have co 's''itel some
wise volume con tanning infalihr des for
bodily ills. Dr. Carajo, in brief, n ii the posi-
ton of g kind of Providence, little thought
about until he was needed, and then trusted
4lupl!Cltly. PROFESSIONALLY, ne WAS Known 70
every one; personally, to none.
IL
AS DR.. Cnrajo sat smoking in his chair that
sunny afternoon, the noise Of carriage pro-
cee6iDg up the street attracted his attention
Without altering his position he allowed his
eye TO rest upon the vehicle and its occupant.
The latter was a woman dressed in white, with
q black lace mantila thrown over her shoul-
ders. She was in the prime of her youth
Gus manner showed evidence of much
distress Of MUD AS DR.. Carajo looked upon
her his eyes dllated, his lace flushed; then he
grew very pale. He leaned back in his chair
rs if to conceal himself from view, and re-
NAMED for several moments motonle less. save
for his uneven breathing, and the tremuious
grasp Of his hands upon the arms Of his
chair But when the wheels stopped before
his door, and the bell sounded in the
court below, DR.. Carajo drew longer and
frmer breath, and sat erect By the time the
servant arrived with the information that
lady was below and desired to see him on
matter of life aud death, he appeared no less
serene and impressive than usual. ':Bring
hi5her chair for the lady" he said, ''apd say
that await her"
Having given these directions, the doctor rose
from his chair, and remained leaning negli-
gently against the stone balustrade of the bal
cony, with his face toward the room which
opened upon it. A short time elapsed short,
that's, by the watch,> though how long it may
have seemed to Dr. Carajo it is impossible TO
say. Then O. rustic and whiteuess advancing
through the darkness of the room announced
the VISITORS approach. AS she set foot on the
balcony the doctor bowed his head courte-
ously
''Dr Caraio," she began, speaking abruptly
and impetuously. 81 WAS told TO como to you
that no one but you could cure my usband--"
At that word the doctor raised his head ard
looked his visitor in the face. while a faint.
contemptuous smile quivered for all instant
beneath his gray moustsche.
The lady stopped short, her beautiful lips
apart and her great eyes tixei in a. gaze OF
seeming amaZement or dismay. Presently she
mutsered some unintel!; gibIe words, raised
her hands across her bosom with a gesture of
fear or OF repuisiOn, and her face and neck
crimsoned wi b hot blus:'.
The doctor contemplated her for q few mo-
ments, and then said coolly: BE seated,
madam n; Your husband, you we're about to
say .,,o .o;a r.
Carajo-"
''You we're rightly Informed, madam am
Dr.. Carajo and alone CAN cure your husband
If he be durable. You may place every con-
fdence in me-"
pressing her hands over her face She stood
dizzilv, and would have fallen had not the
doctor by q light touch guided her to a chair.
She sank down. tremor passed through her
boay, and her eyes closed
''You appear yourself to be indisposcd,
madam" observed the doctor 1.-THE heat
outside is great, and you have over-exerted
yourself. This scent will revive you," and as
he spoke he held to her nostrils small phial
containing pungent perfume. ''Iou ask me
what you should do" he continued. ''You
should, in my opinion, lose no time in telling
me the circumstances to which I owe your
visit If your husbands case is SO precarious
as am given to understand 3 delay might
prove fatal"
s'Would You not be more fatal than any de-
lay?" demanded the lady, fixing her eyes upon
him
''You are scarcely supplementary" returned
tho doctor. with smile II would do my best
for him, as for any other human creature in.
trusted to my care. Nevertheless, il you deem
it best to seek assistance elsewhere you should
know me enough to know that I leave you free
to do what you will"
''Yes. know you in tina: Speech exclaimed
the lady, in q low but passionate tone s'You
would leave me free--too free. You say you
would do your best for any human creature
left to your care; but the human soul intrusted
to your care you would leave free to fall into
temptation and be Destroyed But perhaps
God will be more mercful than you think.
Il will not say I. am surprised at Your at
lacking me, madam said the doctor, quietly;
.'but cannot pretend that, under the circum-
stances, understand it'
A brief silence ensued; then the lady leaned
forward, her hands claspea on her knees, an
remained leaning negtigensly against the bal
ustrade Of the balcony.
81 am at yonr mercy" she said land even
such revenge as yours should be satisfied to
see me here imploring your help. take all
the blame OF what has been upon myself But
no punishment You could inf1ict on
me could be half so humiliating
I ask you to save him! In asking it I giye my
life for his: for after such a degra6 afinn life