Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-06-13
HIS AWFUL MISTAKE.

Read sat in pleasant room in city hotel
chatting confidentially.
Both were young, somewhere between
twenty-five ana thirty, and both were en-
thusiastic students of the noble profession
of medicine.
They had become intimate at college,
and a strong friendship existed that had
known no jar or break.
1t was Fred Reid who said:
"You will accept this offer?"
"Acccpt it?" cried his friend, al should
think So 1t is what l want most In the
world. You see, have always been more
interested in the study OF insanity than in
any other form of disease, and to be resi-
dent physician in an asylum, where have
only made weekly visits, gives me oppor-
tunity for study that l could never have
elsewhere"
eyes; know all that, but it will be
very confining. think l prefer general
practice, after all. But you may expect
to see Inc often. How shall miss you,
old fellow"
And then the talk driftcd into other
channels, until DR.. Atkinson discovered
that it was time for his train to l., where
his new home and field of duty lay.
"You will come over often," hc urged
in parting from his friend; "and If am
busy or away, make yourself 1T home.
The grounds are large, and If you meet
any of the patients, be sure those who are
allowed to roam about inside the walls are
harmless. Some Of them are entirely sane
OIL every point but one; touch that, and
off they go. But the eyes tell the story.
eyes; it is hard to hide it there"
"And contradiction brings out the truth.
AS long as the delusions are humored
they are generally amiable enough, but
once cross them-whew"
81 shall come over often and hear the
results OF your experience. My enormous
practice takes about three hours day"
In pursuance of this promise DIR. Read
took tho train about once Il week, and
spent an hour or two with his friend, find
ing him generally busy, as his duties in
cluded Il general superintendencc OF the
ASYLUM, and details that were quite indc-
pendent of professional work.
But Fred, as he became more familiar
with the place, began to share his friends
interest in the study Of mental disorders,
and would often spend hours roaming
through the wards and grounds, with
only few words to DR.. Atkinson.
1t was when June was young, and the
air soft and pleasant, that DR.. Read, stroll
ing about in the prettiest part of the
grounds, saw lady in a summcr-house,
whose face attracted him at once.
1t was 4 very pale face, and the large
dark eyes were languid, while the slender
figure seemed weak, as from recent IL
ness.
But it was, too, beautiful young face,
shaded by waving brown hair, and with
purely oval outline and regular features.
IA new patient" was Fred's mental
exclamation. "What lovely facet"
Then he sauntered over to the summer
house and spoke TO the lady.
TO his conster nation, she started, gave
n quick sob, and tainted.
Itwns not Il very long insensibility, and
under Fred's prompt treatment, the large
eyes opened, and she whispered:
"Oh, 1 am so sorry to trouble you! But
have been very Ill, and you startled
me-"
al was very much to blame" he said
penitently, "and hope you will pardon
me. Are you well enough for me to run
up to the house for glass Of wine?"
"I am well enough, but l do not need
it :" and she sat up again, and took up a
piece of needle-work that had dropped
from her hands. Her fingers still trembled,
and a pretty flush came moment into
her pale face as she said:
"Are you one OF the physicians here:"
"Only by courtesy" he replied. 81
have the run of the place; but DR.. Akin
son il the physician. Old DR.. Hare is the
head doctor, but he does very little"
"Yes, know! 1t is lovely place, Is
1t not? Out here, mean. inside" and
she shuddered, "tho sounds are often
dreadful. But the doctor at home thought
change OF air would be good for ME, aud
so mamma sent me here"
"Change Of air." thought Fred. "Poor
little thing! Quite unconscious of her
infrmity."
And he cllatted away with her, discuss
ing the weather, the beauty of the
grounds, the songs Of birds in the trees
around them, and so gradually drifted to
books, to comparisons OF opinion and crit
icism. And all through delightful hour
Fred vainly tried to discover the one
point upon which the new patient was
insane.
Whatever it was, it evaded him, and he
looked yainly for any wandering or va
cancy in the soft brown cycs that met his
own, full of intelligence.
They were still conversing when one OF
the nurses came down the path leading to
the summer-house.
"Miss Be- sie," she said, CDR. Atkinson