The Wilmingtonian., 1886-11-20
The Secret,


cans practice than the mre fashionable
streets. My patients w,re little shUpkeepers
pnor mrchan:c laOorers and even borgars.
The latter.uf course. paid me nothing, though
they showered blessings on me by the bushel.
Tne poorer they were tho oftener they sent
for me, aud on q o smallest preteuses.
had been in my present office two years
and had never had patient from the more
aIistrcratic circles, when one night | was
startled 10y violent ing at my bell, and hav.
ing Just composed myself for nap after a
hard days work can't say the summons
was agreeable.
However, | ran to my window at once and
ciird
"Who is thele2"
a voice answered
Ouly I, doctor It's an urgent case Please
come down to the door.
The tone of the answer surprised me. The
form ''only |" was ,tiii more astonishing, for
grammar was not favorlte accomplishment
III that neghburhood. That lady spoke |
fel, sure-a lady Of refinement.
buried down stars aud opened the door
There stood an elderly lady dressed in
mourning. Her face, though wrnkled, was
very fine in feature. Her hair was ar
ranged in.elegant pufIs under handsome
b met.
She pat out the smallest of hands in fine
b ack kid glove, and said, pteously:
''Are you the d1ctor?"
Yes" said.
"Then come with me-" said she. "Don't
delay. It's life or death. Come.
hurried on my uvercoat, caught up my
umb,ela, and Offering my arm TO the old
lady, walked down the street with her.
"Yuu must be my guide, malame,'T said
81 10 not kuuE where you live"
She instantly gave me "A street and mum.
Der that surprised me still more, 1t was tie
most aristncratc quarter OF the city
"Who is ILL., madam" l inquired-"a
grown person or a child?"
"a Young lady-rny daughter" She said.
Suddenly ?"
''Yes, suddenly" she answered. Do ynu
keep gig? You should have had it out il
you do. We would have been able to G."
faster"
al keep no conveyance" said.
"Perhaps you are poor" said she eagerly
Certainly OF rich, . said.
"Cure her aud I'll make you lich," sh,
said, in sort of suppressed shrek--"cule
her and III give you anything you ask
dnu't care for money. I'm rolling in gold
Cure her and I'll shower it ON YOU"
"Yuu are txcted, madam" said. Play
be calm."
Calm y she said-'calm but you don't
know a mothers heart"
We had reached the street she had indies
ted, and were at the door OF one Of lis finest
mansions. The old lady ascendru the STEPS
aud upered the door with a latch key A
low light burned in the Ii ILL., another in one
OF three palloTs, the furniture of which was
draped and shruuded in white linen
"Wait here, sir, if You please" she said,
a. she ed me into one Of these. "TIl see il
my daughter is prepared for your visit"
Aud, with "A sweeping courtesy, she g!ided
away.
Doctors are not used to being kept waiting
long. | waited what thought most un-
reasonable time in those gloomy parlols,
when step, very different from the old
lady's, was heard upon the stairs, and stout
short, red-laced woman hustled into the par
lur'
Il leg your pardon, s.r, "sl said, in singu.
lii tone But my lady, the lady who brought
you here, is very nervous, and was needless
4
customary fee, and there is no need of youl
stryces."
Thus speaking, she handed me five. dol
la gold piece, courtesied aud opened the
door for me.
bowed, exp cssed my pleasure that the
patient was better, and departed.
1t was "A queer ort of adventure, but rather
amusing than otherwise besides l had my
fee. went home and slept soundly.
arose early next morning, and made a
visit before breakfast. Returning, to my
astonishment,I found sitting in my Office the
lady of the night before. She arose as l en-
tered
"What must you think of me-" she said.
"But no mater. My daughter is very dear
to me, and have heard of your skill. Can
you call sometime to-day as early as possible
at my house?''
al will be there in an hour" l said.
The eld lady took out her purse.
81 am AN English womau," she said. Il
retain English habits. In my day the doc
tor received his fee on the spot 1t was in
ordinary cases guinea. win you receive it
now 2"
did not know what to say, but she laid the
gold piece on the table aud departed.
eat my breakfast and made my way to
the old lady's house, rang the bell The door
was opened by the stout female who had dis
missed me the night before.
"rhe DOCTOR" | said, by way of explana-
tion.
"Ah y said she. 'ITas mIssus called you
in agaiu2"
YES" | answered.
There's no need, assure you, SIR" she
said. 81 can't really ask you in. There's
no one i'll here Its whim of mssnses.l | N.
better Judge of illness than she. M need
of doctor"
"But since the lady called me in l must
see the patient, " said.
"Brg yuur pardon, I've orders TO admit no
one," she ansv cred, and shut the door softly
in NV fana