Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1889-04-26

NM>SxkyMltl He himself knew
hTff&Skk that his life was
kSGE5&W J surginy away with
NyaXXS 4 the short, quick
H~ gasps that seemed
-% to rack his body
with pain. Yet he fought sturdily against
the approach of death. TO the silent at
PENDANTS at his bedside il seemed as If he
was trying to gather strength to say some
thing ere his lips should be sealed forever
he tried to speak. bat the words were not
audible. Again he strove and this time the
nurse, bending over the bed. heard him
say:
Has the doctor come yctf'
The nurse was about to reply when
light. quick step was heard ana the doctor
came in. The vacant stare lef the face uf
the dying man. BY a supreme effort he
raised himself up. reached uuder the
pillow. drew forth neatiy-folded manu-
script, placed 10 in the doctors hands, and
fell back exhausted. He did not speak
again ami IL few minutes he was dead
IL was u strange affair. the eccentric
young Doctor Mechin thought. as be assist
ed in performing the last offices FOR the
dead mau. "A very strange affair. His
thoughts reverted 10 the past, to the time
when he had fest met him whose silent
form lay stretched on the ricKeiy bed in the
small. plainly-furnished room He had re-
tnrned from visit To Il country patient
one day about six months previous and up-
on returning found the old doctor seated on
chair in his office pouring overa medical
work. lis visitor apologiLed fer his IN
t'usion aud went away without an explana-
ton. and DR.. Mecnin soon forgot the incl
dent The next day unon gong 10 his
otice thc outer door was never locked the
ca man was % be seen as before. studying
d mcG ca book and apparently obiivious 70
his surroundings DR.. NechIin demanded
an explanation. The old mau was very
non-commttal at first. Finally, when he
was told he must leave the Office and keep
away under penalty OF arrest, Inc looked ap.
pealincly at the other and gave the fol-
lowing ineager and hardly satisfactory ac-
count of his peculiar actions.
He said that he was physician by pro-
fession: that he had prac,iced IN the large
cities both in this country and in Europe. In
bis old age nc had been reduced almost TO
want by unfortunate investments, and was
finally forced 70 retire He had come TO
Ostiu because he could live chesply and
quietly
"This Is all cen tell YOU" the old man
said. in an appealing toue, land ask that
you will place faith in my words. All de- .
sire is that nuy BE- permitted 10 spend
few hours occasionally il your Office where 1
] can be near the profession That IN my
cd age nave been forced 10 reliao Gish'
The young doctor looked SHARPLY al the
aged stranger and poadered upon the
strange Request. The visitor had apparent.
ly re!2psed into uncousciousnese o. his
surroundings. ana DR.. Mccain ESd N %
DUrtunity 10 carefully scrU ..ui5s LIN. The
stranger was attired In corvent.on.l. Dat
we'll worn garments lie had that indefn-
able air that marks tho physician, that was
evident. There was nothing in lis appear
ance TO indicate insanity even 10 the prac-
Eced eye of his observer.
"Pshawr' muttered DR.. Mechl!n TO him.
SELF "he is nothing but an eccentric. IL
can certainly DO no harm 10 sccede 10 his
request"
And so the young and the old doctor
reached an understanding, aId every Gay
the old man came to his young friend CT.
Zee and remained hours at time At first
be only sat an6 read aud pondered. But
one day the young doctor came in greatly
perplexed. A change for the worse mac
taken place in one Of his patients who had
been III for some time with a complicated
and occult disease. Tie old man noticed