The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-10-09
A DOCTORS RUSE,

A DOCTORS RUSE.
DIR. Paul Ventnor sat alone in his
office, his hands crossed on his knees,
his eyes fixed upon vacancy, the light
from the side-jet falling upon his worn,
anxious face.
The room was barely comfortable.
The floor was covered with mating.
The wall paper was shabby, but was
cheerfully relieved by a few cheap, yet
brightly colored chromos, and the heav-
ily-gilt frame which enclosed his d.
ploma. A desk somewhat Uttered, a
bookcase but partially filled, an old
fashioned sofa, and few stuffed, stiff
backed chairs, were all the furniture
visible. We say visible, because within
small, curtained alcove, were low,
narrow bedstead, and a dingy toilet
stand, in keeping with the cracked
wash-bowl and pitcher which sur
mounted it, and with the rickety towel:
rack which stood beside it.
The doctor was quite young man:
prepossessing in appearance, and posi-
tive in his manncr-his ;:;ravc, thought
full face indicating character and a fair
degree of reserved strength His
clothes had a secdy look; they were en-
tire, but much worn, frayed around
the button holes, the faded binding rem
dered less noticeable by the application
of ink.
In fact, the doctor was very poor,
and the outlook for the future was in
no wise encouraging. He had been To-
Gated in that quarter of the city for
three months, and yet had not received
single professional call. He had
spent his means, and had been COM
PEELED to pawn his surgical instruments
and a few of his books; he was in ar
rears for boarding, while the landlord
had given him notice to vacate the
room.
The doctor was not to blame for his
Strengthened circumstances. He had
praeticed rigid economy; he had nailed
up his sign and distributed his circu-
lars; he was at least theoretically we'll
up in his profession; his address was in
his favor; he had patiently waited.
There was not much sickness in the
neigborhood, and what little patronage
there was went into the hands of the
older practitioners. wonder that the
young doctors attitude was forlorn
one, and the expression on his face al
most devoid of hope.
Suddenly his countenance bri ghtened
Some one had pulled the bell. Who
else, if not a patient? He opened the
door, and a lady entered. She was
closely yelled, and yet he knew that she
was young, because of the elasticity in
her movements.
you are DR.. Ventnor?' she asked,
her voice sweet and distinct, though
slightly tremulous.
cat your service, madam he an
swered. with polite bow. ''Pray, be
seated"
She took the chair which he placed
for her, and removed her veil; and as
she did so, he noticed that her hand
was small, white, shapely and beiew-
elcd. Her face was exceedingly fair,
though it wore a troubled look. Her
h10o}y onI
made Il rapid survey of the room, and
then rested upon the doctors face in
such steady, calculating. estimating
way, that he felt the blood filling his
cheeks.
II wish you to call upon my father,'
she said.
'To-night?' asked the doctor.
''Well-no," she debatingly answer
ed. Tomorrow will do. l tell YOU
beforehand, it's an odd case, and bad
one. If you succeed in relieving him
you have only to name your fee.''
''What is his malady?'' asked the
doctor.
''He's a hypochondriac, she slowly,
half-unwillingly admitted, the color
coming and going in her face. "He
has strange hallucination, and if he
is not lifted out of it,, it will end in his
death.''
The doctor was becoming fascinated
with the sweet voice, the graceful ges-
lures, the black eyes, which grew more
lustrous because anxiety had filled
them with tears. He drew his chair
nearer to her own.
You have consulted other physi-
cians?' he asked.
''Quite number" she replied, a
little flurriedly. "Some of the best in
the city,
without SUGGEST"
''Oh, of course;' and she spoke with
Impotence. ''They had no-no-inten
tons. They argued, and-hootsd.
There was something charming
about those pauses in tho choice Of
words.
''You think they should have humor-
ed him!' the doctor asked.
"Yes!' she answered, her face
Frightening wondrously. "You have
caught the idea. Oh, sir, believe that
you can cure him.
In her excited eagerncss, she uncon-
sciously laid her hand on his arm. and
the touch thrilled him.
''Why did you come to mc?'' he
asked. Il am young-inexperienced-
unknown"
''Why?" she inquired, with search
ing look. II do not know. Why do
we do queer things?' and she smiled a
little oddly. ''They come to us like a
-a-revelation.''
1t was an ambiguous explanation,
and vet he understood her.