St. Landry democrat., 1888-08-11

not excepting an old coffin stored in the
This, with an eye to the least expendi-
ture, he had caused to be constructed to
fit his attenuatea frame when about to
become dust and ashes.
But indulgence in strong drink caus-
ed him to grow much too stout, and a
new coffin had to be provided, while the
original one remained in the musty
wine vault to moulder and decay, along
with the walls of the unfinished por-
tion of the mansion.
The fresh breeze from the sea came
up through tangled vines and rank
growing shrubbery, as DR. Gordon
skirted the ruins and approached the
more habitable portion, and the waves
broke with their ceaseless monotone
upon the white-sanded beach, or dashed
against the rocks upon the heights of
which rested the mansion of Craig
Hill.
In one of the lonely walks DR.. Gordon
| met his friend. With the most kindly
greetings they clasped hands, walked
arm in arm, passed through the vine
wreathed verandah and entered the
gloomy house. But from the moment
| Gordon crossed the door-sill, he expe-
rienced a depression of feeling that even
the cordial reception of host and hostess
failed to dispel.
And when he had retired, he mentally
reviewed the situation and wondered at
the great change in his old friend from
the rollicking, rosy-faced student, Of
half dozen years ago. He had be-
come pale, even to an alarming degree,
and though he was genial and pleasant,
the ready wit and musical laughter were
missing.
"It all comes of this recluse life and
disappointment in love" unused Gordon.
''Strange that fellow has so little stam-
ina. Save for hobbies, the latest of
which is the chemical properties of
anesthetics, his profession of an M. D.
amounts to nothing. I believe he
claims to have invented something bet
ter than nitrous-oxide gas, or chloric
ether; more lasting than the former
and less injurious than the latter.
Poor fellow! If he would burn up the
long wordy treatise he has expended so
much valuable time upon, to say moth
ing of the waste of brain power, break
his retorts and crucibles, pick up his
pill bags and go to practicing in earn
est, he might accomplish something.
AS it is"
At this point Gordon drifted away in
to dreamland, with Miss Margaretta,
the stately and pretty sister of his friend
for companion. And what mazes of
fower-land they travelled, and upon
what sunny waves they foated in gaily
painted boats, was never to be known
even in memory. Through the roseate
clouds he at last drifted into deep
slumber, which lasted long after the
sun had kissed with its morning beams
the throbbing bosom of the ocean.
After breakfast and boating excur-
sion with Margaretta and hearty din
ner, Gordon, at the request of his
friend, proceeded to the laboratory
where he had been occupied during the
day, and was forced to listen to long
and uninteresting explanations. When
it had grown late, his sister brought
candles. As she placed them upon the
table Doctor Gordon was saying:
ut may be all right, but why not use
some animal to test the correctness of
your theory?"
81 have over and over again and with
the most happy results, - was answered.
"What now require is a human SUBJ
ject. This is why sent for you. de-
sire you to administer the anesthetic to
me. Margaretta will take notes of the
length of time and the effect it is likely
to produce. After the lapse Of five
minutes, If / have not recovered, you
are to use the restoratives named in this
paper"
81 will consent to nothing of the
kind" laughingly exclaimed Gordon,
''though have no objection to be the
subject. You are welcome to put me to
sleep and take your own notes. In the
interest of science one may even venture
q deranged digestion and disorganized
brain"
81 do not understand what you are
talking about, . interposed Margaretta,
resting small, white hand upon the
table. 81 thought it had already been
arranged that was to be the subject of
the trial. In that case, there would be
two medically-trained minds to note eff
fects.
ssImpossible!'' exclaimed Gordon. Il
will never be party to such an out
rage"
But after much argument, and de-
cided inclination upon the part of the
brother to acceed to the wishes of the
sister, it was at last decided that she
should have her own way in the mat
ter.
Excusing herself, Margaretta left the
bom. Presently, she returned clad in
long white robe that SO forcibly re-
minded him of shroud, ass.,to cause
him to draw near to pr and
expossds|ate against the trial.
Il fear nvth,pg,1 she rs1eaed. Yet
her cold handle and her pals face seemed