, 1886-08-17
DR.. VINEYARDS PATIENT.

one of the districts of Noting Hill as the
field of his labors, and, being a bachelor,
contrived to make both ends meet. Still,
he found it uphill work and fresh patients
did not present themselves every day.
Consequently, he was very well satisfied
At being summoned to q case which would
require constant caro- and attention for
several months. The invalid was a gen.
tleman Of about 40 years of age, stricken
with a disease which must inevitably ter
inmate fatally. though medical skill might
relieve his s~ufferings, and possibly sus-
ain life for a longer period than fate
seemed to have decreed- The name Of the
sick man was Burton, n he lived with
his wife in st. Barnabas square. DIR.
Wynyard subsequently learned that they
had only resided there about six months.
but, not being of curious disposition the
young practitioner never troubled him
self to inquire about their antecedents.
He saw nothing. however. which led
him to doubt that the Burtons were most
respectable people. The patient was evil
IDENTIFY not a highly educated man: but
Mrs. Burton was very refined and Lady
like, both in manner n appearance, and
DR.. Wynyard always suspected that she
had married beneath her. Without being
h~andsome-or even, strictly speaking,
good-looking-she wa decidedly a fascin-
ating woman, with large, soft, brown
eyes. and an expression Of tenderness and
sadness. DIR. Wynyard wa not a suscept-
ible young man, but he admired Mrs.
Burton, and soon discovered he was tax
ing an nusua Interest In her husband
for her sake. He was touched by the
poor lady's devotion to the invalld-the
more especially as Mr.. Burton, with the
selfish -capriciousness of a sick man, not
unfrequently received her fninistrations
with singular ungraciousness. But Mrs.
Burton never uttered any complaint nor
relaxed from her gentle devotion-a cir
cumstance which helped to augment DIR.
Vineyards respect and esteem for her.
The doctor considered.ft his duty, on the
earliest opportunity, to communicate to
Mrs. Burton his fears Of her husbands
illness terminating fatally. Thu poor
lady was not unprepared for the an
nouncement, having been warned
tim since by a physician Of high standing
that the disease was incurable; but she
was terribly depressed at the prospect of
the end being 50 near. To soothe her DR..
VINEYARD suggested calling in an eminent
specialists for consultation, to which she
eagerly agreed. This gentleman only con-
firmed DR.. Vineyards opinion, and Mrs.
Burton reluctantly consented to the sick
man being informed OF his hopeless condi-
ton The poor fellow received the news
with extraordinary fortitude, and seemed
considerably less affected thar his poor
wife.
One day, when the end was visibly APP
preaching, Mrs. Burton said, upon the
termination of the DOCTORS professional
duties:
Il think, DIR. Wynyard, my husband
wishes you to see him sign his will"
Certainly" said the doctor, glancing at
the patient, who nodded acquiescence.
He had it prepared some time ago.
Shall l fetch itf" inquired Mrs. Burton.
gently addressing her husband.
In obedience to a gesture from him, she
left The room, returning presently with a
document in her hand.
II should like you to read 1t out before /
sign. 4" said Mr.. Burton.
DR.. Wynyard unfolded the will, which
was very short, and read 1t aloud. 1t con-
tained Il bequest of R500, free OF legacy
duty, to Charlotte Emlin. the wife of John
Emlin, and gave everything else the tes-
tator possessed TO his wife, who was ap-
pointed sole %executrix.
as that correctt" inquired Mrs. Burton
Of her husband. Does hat express your
wishesi"
The invalid nodded. and intimated his
readiness to sign.
DIR. Wynyard, who knew something
about the formalities to be observed in ex-
ecuting wills, sent for a second witness,
and also attested 1t himself. He felt no
scruples about the matter, for Mr.. Burton
was in full possession Of his faculties. and
was perfectly WARE what he was doing.
Tha xtrk ~. N "a "a ratral xutaanAaa hA.r
ever, became very conspicuous when he
attempted to write his name. and it was
only after several efforts that he produced
a scrawl resembling a signature.
AS he sank back exhausted upon the
pillow, Mrs. Burton Dol mp the will and
was proceeding, apparently, to put it in
some place Of safety when her husband
stopped her.
leave it," he painted, looking at her
angrily.
Without a word the poor lady laid the
document upon the bed, but she could not
restrain a flush of Indignation from
mounting to her cheeks.
doctor" said the sick man, as soon as
he could speak. Il wantAyou to take
charge OF it." ~
Certainly, II you wish, said the doctor.
glancing at Mrs. Burton, who merely
bowed her head.
Rather reluctantly-for hi dreaded
hurting the poor lady's ~feelings-he took
possession of the will, and placed 1t in the
side pocket of his coat.
ado you know an honest lawyer" con-
tinued the invalid.
ayes, l have a friend who is a solicitor"
replied DIR. Wynyard.
when l am gone,r continued Mr.. Bur-
ton, rather e~xcitedly, promise me that
you will yourself place the document in
his hands, and tell him to see to its being
carried out-particularly the legacy to
Charlotte Emlin."
II really think" said the doctor, doubt
fully, that as Mrs. Burton is the execu-
trix-"
II am quite content with the orange
ment my sband suggests" in%terposed
Mrs. Burton calmly.
After this there was nothing more to be
said. and DIR. Wynyard was relieved to
hnd, upon speaking 70 her a~fterward, that
the gentle lady did not resent either her
husbands comments or the DOCTORS I'M
willing interference In a matter that
chiefly concerned her.
Within a week from this episode Mr..
Burton died The doctor was not present
at the death, but he had been with the
patient shortly before, and was summoned
Immediately afterward- There was no
question that the poor fellow had died of
his fatal complaint. The doctor certified
accordingly and rendered the widow VIII at
assistance he could in arranging for the
funeral. Mrs. Burton bore her affiiction
with great composure. having evidently
steeled herself for the ordeal. She fol-
lowed her husband to the grave, she and
the doctor being the only mourners- She
accounted for this by explaining that
what relations her husband had were
persons of humble station, residing in the
country.