Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-02-27
DARK DAYS
BY HUGH CONW AY.
Author of "Called Back"
continued from last qoeek I

Continued from last aoeeh
Her manner toward me troubled me but
little. 1t is a well-known popularity of the
disease that the patient turns with hatred
from those who were the nearest and dearest
to her. Fits of sullen, stubborn silence, al
ternating with fierce outbursts of vitupera-
ton, are the most common characteristics
of the mania. Hideous, startling as it is to
see the change wrought in the sufferer, the
malady is by no means of such an alarming
nature as it seems. In fact the majority Of
cases are treated with perfect success.
But all this is professional talk. Again
say that the discovery of Philippa's state of
mind was an immense relief to me. My
conscience was cleared of weight which
was pressing upon it. l felt braced up to
use every effort and thoroughly justified in
following whatever course l thought best
Moreover, new relationship was now es-
tablished between Philippa and myself. For
awhile every feeling save one must be ban
shed. We were now doctor and patient.
After much persuasion l induced her to
let me feel her pulse. AS expected, I found
it up nearly to one hundred and twenty.
This did not alarm me much, as in the course
of my practice l had seen several of these
cases. The preliminary treatment was sim
pie as A B c.; at all cost sleep must be OBJ
tanned.
Fortunately, I had well stocked medi-
cine chest. In a few minutes l had pre-
pared the strongest dose of opium which
dared to administer. In such case as the
present knew that no dribets would avail;
so l measured out no less than sixty drops of
laudanum Sleep the girl must have. That
poor seething, boiling brain mustb by artificial
L, 10 fN, ho,,
that rest should be able to say what chance
there was of saving life and reason.
But preparing a dose of medicine and
making a patient like this to take it, are two
aiffereut things. I tried every art, every
persuasion implored and commanded.
threatened and insisted. PhiIippa was OBJ
durate Poor soul! she knew l meant to
poison her. On my part, knew that unless
she swallowed that narcotic tonight her
case was all but hopeless.
rested for awhile; then sent for luke
warm water. After some resistance she suf-
fered me to battle her throbbing temples.
The refreshing GOODNESS which followed the
operation was so grateful to her that she let
me repeat the action again and again. A
soft and more contented look settled on her
beautiful face.
seized the moment. Once more pressed
the potion upon her. This time successfully.
My heart trembled with joy as I saw her
swallow the drug. Now she might be saved!
still continued the comforting LAYING of
her temples, and waited until the drug took
its due effect. By and by that moment came.
The large dark eyes closed, the weary head
sank heavily on my shoulder, and knew
that Philippa had entered upon a term Of
merciful oblivion.
I waited until her sleep was sound as the
sleep of death; then l summoned my man.
had already told him that my sister was
very i'll. Between us we bore her to her
room and laid her on her bed. l loosened
her dress, cut the wet boots from her cold
feet, did all l could to promote warmth and
such comfort as was possible under the cir
cu1nstances. Then left her, sleeping that
heavy sleep which prayed might last UNI
broken for hours, and hours, and hours.