Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-02-13
PAUL DIVERS WIFE.

out practice but still young enough to
feel that my real work is in the future.
Not many years have passed since / re-
ceived my "sheepskin,n and. as is
well known. youth is serious bar to
recognition of one in my profession.
My practice. consequently is light. and
but for IA small property which yields
me very modest income, | might Oft
en- have trouble in satisfactorily deal
Ing with my landlady and laundry
man.
1t was stormy night in March and
] was seated in my Office puzzling over
a curious case of blood-poisoning which
had fallen in my way, when messen-
ger boy called me TO my door and hand
ed me the following note:
Come a. once to - Monroe Street. eufcr-
PAUL OLIVER"
hesitated only long enough to get
together the necessary articles to take
where did not know the nature of my
patients ailment. and in due course OF
time was deposited by the street-car at
my destination.
| was ushered into neatly fur
nishcd room, brightly lighted. Upon
the bed lay feeble-loOking man. who
fixed his shining black eyes upon my
face.
Your are DR.. Etolmus? Well. doc
tor, help me. am dying, burning
can't YOU make me sleep--see my
nerves quivering-look at the swollen
veins" cried the young man. extend
ing both hands weakly toward me.
Just so he has been for a week. :"
remarked the young woman who had
remained in the room. Brother Har-
~ has been beseeching him the whole
time to have doctor, but he never
gave up until tonight, and then in
sisted upon having YOU
Il suppose, doctor, that you are won
derng why my choice Of physiciN
fell upon YOU" soon remarked Mr..
Oliver. suddenly flashing his black
eyes upon me. We'll, wonder on;
shall not enlighten you. Call it
chance"
/ was little startled. because was
just then puzzling over that very ques-
ton. But | quietly replied:
You are nervous and laboring I'M
der excitement. my friend. am sure
the potion YOU have taken will soon do
you good.
Nothing will do me good. lam
past human help. though grateful for
even doctors sympathy. | know
that neither you nor the combined
medical talent of the city could cure
me. l have no desire To live-I would
not live if | could"
This was the beginning of my ac-
qua ntance with Paul Oliver. In time
he became interested in me. insisting
upon conycrsing upon various topics,
with all of which he displayed fair
acquaintance. His nervousness in
creased steadily. but. strange to say.
with il increased his patience.
He gradually grew worse. despite
nv unremiited care. / earnestly be-
sought him 10 permit me TO call in one
or more eminent physicians for con-
sultation. but this he positively refused
to do.
Il have told YOU" he declared with
firmness. THAT | am slowly dying.
Nothing can save me. You have al
leviated my pain. No physician could
do more"
As time passed the unfortunate man
won hold upon my heart. So it was
with infinite pain that | saw the ten
tacles of death closing fast about him.
In my powerlessness reproached N.Y.
self and my beloved science. l became
low-spirited and dull.
Doctor" he said slowly and inn
pressively one day. II shall die this
evening. Do not look so incredulous.
l understand my case better than you
could be expected TO do. | wish TO saw
few words of business to YOU and to
thank you for your unremittng care.
In that cSeretoirc you will find pack
age. wish YOU to take it and after
am under the earth | desire you to
read il. Dispose of it ~ you think
best. That is all. think now / will
sleep"
And he did sleep and never again
awakened.
After the quiet funeral at Rosehill
Mr.. Sommers informed me that Oliver
was n man possessed of considerable
wealth aud told me the surprising
news that ia a will he had made Il
short time before. he bequeathed the
bulk of it To me.
Very soon afterward | opened the
package Mr.. Oliver had requested me
to take in charge. 1t consisted of IA
closely written manuscript which read
as follows:
IL. Paul Oliver was born in New
York City, and seven wears ago grad
mated at Harvard College. Three
months later n malignant fever bereft
me of both parents. | was alone. pos
sessed of competency and with but
little disposition to- embark in trade or
acquire profession.
Il spent year in Europe. Near its
close met n party of Americans at
Paris. The most charming was Miss
Lire Hainey. She was 20. and wo-
mau of rare accomplishments aud won
drous beauty.
IL adored that woman. pressed my
suit vigorously. and to my supreme
happiness she accepted my hand and
fortune. declaring that she had loved
me from, the first.
within year after our first meet
hg we were married and, comply ING