Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va) 1886-1890, 1889-11-23
A DOCTORS STORY.


extremely critical case, for the hour was
lin the evening and the night a stormy
one.
What, then, was my surprise, when ]
had been uShered into handsome par
lor in one of the best hotels, to find, sit
ting in q large arm chair and with nc
appearance of i'll health about her, a very
beautiful woman, whom knew to be an
actress of position and had often ad,
mired upon the stage.
She was dressed in the most becoming
fashion, and arose with smile upon my
entrance.
Her maid, q Spanish looking woman,
with beautiful olive skin, remained
standing near the window.
You look surprised, DOCTOR" the lady
began, motioning me to seat. "You
will be more SO before hou leave me.
am not ILL., and can see that you know
that at glance"
''You certainly are looking very well.
madame said l.
II am feeling WE'LL" said she. "The
question that desire to ask you, as q
man who has made the brain, in some
degree, speciality, is, Am mad? You
need not mind my maid; she speaks nc
English. want you to give me your
opinion. Do you think me insane:7
THAT is very difficult question, ma
DAME" said l. ga doubt of your ration.
atty never would have occurred to me.
Besides, insane people seldom guess theii
condition. However, you must have
some reason for asking the question:
GA very grave one" she answered.
either am out Of my mind or there
are such things sghosts."
There are optical illusions also, ma,
DAME" said 1.
"But illusions of the senses of sight
and touch and hearing all at once. Would
that not be madness:" asked she.
'Not if you were aware they were il.
lusions," answered.
But they seem real to me-" said the
lady, ooh, so real! suppose you read
the stories about me in the papers: You
have heard of the man who killed him.
self for love Of me::'
''The Frenchman!' I asked. ITO tell
the truth have read it."
''They said I was cruel to him" said
the lady, growing somewhat excited. Il
was not. l was kind at first; but he
logged my footsteps and threatened my
life. Not at first, Of course, but after
had accorded him an interview, and re-
fused him as gently as 4 woman could
! refuse man. He wanted me to marry
him. He was rich, of good family; he
was honorable, and very, very much in
love. But l, how could love a stranger:
And he was ugly, a great, savage look
ing creature. After that he tried to kill
me. He shot at me. had him arrest
ed, and he committed suicide in prison"
She paused and shuddered. 1T IS he
who comes" she added.
Naturally" said 1, "you have been
greatly shocked. You dream of him,
ard your dreams are so vivid that you
fancy them actual occurrences"
Il knew you would say that" she
sighed, "but have very vivid dreams,
for in them friends who have been dead
for years come to me. They speak and
move, and touch me. But when 1 awake
know l have been dreaming. This is
different. Ny ghost-or my madness
comes to me upon the stage.
Upon the stage:" I repeated.
Yes" she answered. "He says shall
not act again. Twas playing 8 week ago
when he came. He often comes, but
never before did he touch me. This time
he laid his hand upon my arm, and
whispered:
"'l tell you you must retire from the
stage! exact this penalty Of you. The
next time you tread the boards ill kill
youv"
"Well? said I.
81 tainted" said the lady, land fe,rtu-
nately it was the correct thing to d o at
the moment. Only my fellow actors
guessed the swoon to be a real one. But
the next day Cancelled my engagement.
l declared myself i'll. The truth is was
very much frightened. I had grown
used to his staring and pointing to his
ard speaking
She paused, shuddering violently.
yours is case of disordered nerves,
madame" said l. 81 ad wise you to take
a holiday"
u don't dare to go on aoting!" she
gasped. Don't you see thatT Why, I
really believe you do not know " Why I am
SO troubled! In the very prime Of life,
with everything Ivalue at my hand, I
must sink into obscurity-retire on
small sum of money, whe-@4 L uight
make an immense fortune-give up the
applause live for, the art adore. and
all because ghost will have it sol"
The ssars arose to her beautiful ey. rs.
She NSPed them away and forced
laugh.
ooh, you know had rather tn1nn n.y.
self a little out Of my mind than to be-
lieve i'll my ghost!' said she.
''So should l." said I. eff you will
take my advice you will give yourself
holiday, surround yourself with friends,
and forget your hallucination-it is one.
You are just little upset, and it will
pass"
Iwrote a prescription.
''Take this at night" I said 81 assure
you that science has distinctly proven
the fact that ghosts do not appear to any
one"
Shortly went my way. The fee sent !
to my office greatly exceeded my usual I
y ~ 4