The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-04-25

nearly to her knees in abject despair.
 was much alarmed and rose, and touched her forehead above her finger tips if was cool, and her pulse, as mo. ment's pressure of her wrist told me, was low and regular. Miss Toxel did not sob oF weep. In e moment she recovered herself and sat up, and endeavored to smile; her eyes did not meet mine, but wandered uueasily as she said:
 do not know what you will think of me, Dr. ATndt. Do not believe me in- sane. do not think l am. Would to God could believe wasl Let nae leave you now--and-l do not wish that VI should meet again. shall always think of you, Dr. Arndt, with the highest es- teem, and with deep gratitude. 1 cannot explain my conduct. am the most un- fortunate of all living thingsE'
 As Miss Toxel made this surprising speech, she rose, and arranged her wrap, and drew her veil over her face, and ap- preached the door. She was pale {; her voice was low and calm her manner col iected and determined, and only the meaning of her words evinced the strug- gle which she had just endured. 1 bowed, and was about to open the door when my private bell rang and my assist ant gave me Mir. Aylie's card.
 "It is George" said to Miss Toxel. '" Do you wish to meet him p
 "No," said Miss Toxel "l shall never meet him again !; do not let him know am here, or have been here do not let him see me-"
 My assistant showed Mr. Aylie to private room where joined him as soon as Miss Toxel, with silent bow, had left my door.
 To say that was surprised by the con- duct of Miss Toxel, would be nc expres- sion of the fact. l was utterly bewildered. Putting the matter as much out of my thought as possible, 1 greeted Aylie cor dially, and took him into my private par Tor, hung with the mementos of my loved wife, and secure against intrusion.
 Ayhe greeted me at first gaily, but as we lighted our cigars he became grave, and we had exchanged but few remarks before he said, Doctor, this is a call for professional services. I wish to insure my life for a considerable sum, and know that the examination will be rigid, and wish you to go over me, and see what you think of me before submit my self to the inspection of the medical man of the insurance companies"
 "It is not necessary, Aylie," said I. "It is net nice thing to say, but you must know that a physician cannot avoid knowledge of the bodies of those with whom he associates with even the slight intimacy which exists between our selves. You are perfectly we'll man, and a good nsk if your family history offers DO obstae les"
 "l am not sure of that, pr. Arndt," said Aylie, evidently relieved. "I want you to make a thorough examination, and to be absolutely certain as far as hu- man knowledge can go, of my condi- uon."
 "Very well, my dear fellow, since you insist upon it, will look you over; but am very sure about you now"
 examined him. He is magnificent man, one O. the finest and most perfect ever saw, though my military experience gave me ample opportunities for observa- ten; he had not trace of organic de- of any sort; both his pulse and temperature were slightly below the normal, but this was no sign of illness. examined him particularly for evidences of trouble with the brain and heart and there was not the least indication of re- mote danger in either direction. Hehad never had an illness, his family record was indicative of longevity, and alto gether his chances of ninety were excel lent. told him so. He seemed incred. ulous.
 "Why do you believe yourself ill p asked.
 "For this one reason onlv," said Aylie. fixing his calm, grey eyes upon my own. For six months past have been con scious of an impression of my own ap- preaching death, and at the same time | am aware that the impression is rather agreeable than otherwise. have eyerv- thing to make me happy have always i been singularlY cheerful, and am young. beloved by the. most charming ever saw and the only one for whom l ever cared iu the least, and I | cannot understand my feelings at all. | think there must be some fault with my brain."
 Precisely, MT. Aylie, and you have been reading up on the brain doubtless, and have found host of evidences that you are soon to become imbecile. Now you do just this. Don't you read a word except the daily papers for the next three months. Take three hours of Indian clubs and three hours of ten-pins every day and con6ne yourself to three cigars. and your brain will be all right. Then marry Miss Toxel and go to Europe for the season."
 Aylie's brows cleared up, and his Greek mouth curved in a frank and beautiful smile, as he threw away his cigar and said, that is about the fifteenth to-day. believe. l will try your prescription. Let's go to dinner" We dined down own and left him at nine.
 feel unusually fatigued and listless myself tonight. Even the problem of Miss Toxel fails to interest me, Her rouble must be hysteria. Of course she will never send Aylie away from her; must see those children married the first # May.
 February 5, l. a. m.-Yesterday, the Ith, Aylie called at 3'4s. was occupied