The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-03-13
HIS AWFUL MISTAKE.


DR.. Wilfred Atkinson and DR.. Frede-
rick Read sat in pleasant room in u
city hotel chatting contidentially.
Both were young, somewhere between
twenty-five and thirty, and both were
enthusiastic students of the noble pro-
fession of medicine.
They had become intimate at col
lege, and strong friendship existed
that had known no jar or break.
1t was Fred Read who said:
''You will accept this offer?"
s'Accept it?" cried his friend. 81
should think so. 1t is what l want
most in the world. You see, | have al
ways been more interested in the study
of insanity than in any other form OF
disease, and to be resident physician in
an asylum, where | have only made
weekly visits, gives me opportunity for
study that / could never have else
where.
Yes; | know all that, but it will be
very contining. l think prefer general
practice, after all. But you may ex-
pect to see me often. How / shall miss
you, old fellow'
And then The talk drifted into other
channels, until DIR. Atkinson discov-
cred that it was time for his train to
l., where his new home and field OF
duty lay. -.=
You will come over often he
urged in parting from his friend; ''and
if l am busy or away, make yourself at
home. The grounds are large, and
very pleasant, and if YOU meet any OF
the patients, be sure those who are al
lowed to roam about inside the walls
are harmless. Some OF them are alb
solutely sane on every point but one;
touch that, and off. they go. But the
eyes tell the story"
Yes; 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-whewm
Il 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 the train about once a week,
and spent an hour or two with his
friend, finding him generally busy, as
his duties included general superin-
tendence of the asylum, and details
that were quite independent of pro-
fessional 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, strolling about in the prettiest
part of the grounds, saw lady in a
sulnmer-house, whose face attracted
him at once.
1t was very pale face, and the
large dark eyes were languid, while
the slender figure seemed weak, as il
from recent illness.
But it was, too, a beautiful young
face. shaded by waving brown hair
and with purely oval outline and regu
lar features.
"A new patient" was Fred's menta
exclamation. 'What lovely face!"
Then he sauntered over to the sum
mer-house and spoke to the lady.
|
gave quick gasping sob, and tainted
1t was not very long insensibility
and under Fred's prompt treatment
the large eyes opened, and she whis
pered:.
.'Oh. am so sorry to trouble you
But l have been very ill, and yo,
startled me"
81 was very much to blame,' h
said penitently, ''and | hope you vii
pardon me. Are you we'll enough nov
for me to run up to the house for
glass of wineP"
Il am we'll enough, but do nd
need it," and she. sat up again, an
took up piece of needle-work tha
had dropped from her hands. He
fingers still trembled, and prett
flush came moment into her pal
face as she said:
'Are you one of the physician
here?'
"Only by courtesy" he replied.
have the run of the place; but DR.. A
kinson is the physician. Old Dr., Han
is the head doctor, but he does yer
little.
"Yes, l know! 1t is lovely place
is it not? Out here, meant Inside,
and she shuddered, 1.-The sounds al
often dreadful But the doctor s
home thought change Of air would
good for me, and so mamma sent IL
! here, ~
Change. of air!' thought FREQ
Poor little thing! Quite unconsciop
of her infirmity.'
And he chatted away with her, di
cussing the weather, the beauty of til
grounds, the songs Of the birds in III
trees around them, and so gradual
drifting 10 books, to comparisons
opinion and criticism. And all throug
delightful hour Fred vainly tried
discover the one point upon which tt
new patient was insane.
Whatever it was, it evaded him, an
he looked as vainly for any wanderiI
;; or vacancy in the soft brown eyes th
met his own, full of intelligence.
|, They were still conversing when OF
of the nurses came down the path lea
1 ing to the summer-hOuse.
Miss Bessie" she said, cdr. Atkil
son sent me to say you had better
down now for an hour or two, and
has sent some medicine to your roor
Let me help you?"
Dr. Read, being physician, ma'
no attempt to detain the fair patien
noting with sincere sympathy he
, weak she was, and how wearily 81
leaned upon the nurses strong arr
D He did not feel inclined to have al
jesting about his interest, such as /
friend was wont to indulge in VIII
, ladies were the subject. so he sa
nothing of his experience, and join
DR.. Atkinson in his grounds" witho
limiting at any desire to see one especI
/. patient-a desire not gratitied, i
= . there were only familiar faces in t
wards.
e But the summer-house was so
. found to be Miss Bessie's resort.
N snoI,,dad mart of the nrnInf