The herald., 1893-06-12
A PAYING PATIENT.

DR.. Struthers wanted patients. He
could not get them because. firstly, the
ink on his medical diploma was not yet
dry, and secondly, because he could not
raise beard. He was sitting idle in
his office chair endeavoring to conjure
up some means of increasing his income.
He thought of starting a medical insti-
tute and Of inventing patent medicine,
but he had no capital To remove to a
smaller town was retrograding, and he
dismissed it angrily from his mind.
Two patients were the extent of his
practice One of them would die soon,
and the other was nearly WELL The in
come from them was hardly sufficient to
pay his rent. The last two letters from
his father, inclosing much needed checks,
had been very curt. One of them had
said. "It seems you are old enough now
to have an income Of your own"
In fact, young DR.. Struthers was at
his wits end. He was not the man to
worry over anything, however. There
would bo way out. he was sure of that.
He lighted cigar, puffed at it time,
walked over to the mirror and looked at
himself
I'm not bed looking. I'm dressed
well enough. But I'm SO deuced young
they won't put any confidence in me. l
have half mind to go to my friend
Soutley of the Academy company-have
him make mo up--put some lines in my
face, so would 1cok about 3j Then
Id require brass buttoned negro lacl-ey
to receive the patients. II could only
capture one millionaire dyspeptic, one
overworked capitalist and one aged dow
ager with the heart disease--um-un
I'd risk the rast
well, thvAs nothing to do but to
wait for them" he said, sitting down
again. Il sometimes feel like hiring n
canvasser to solicit patients. a hand
some, capable young doctor; careful at
tention given to gout and dyspepsia,
mild medicines used That doesn't
sound badly. Humph! Medical digni-
ty prevents it. though. must sit here
patiently and trust to that little nickel
plated sign to do the rest"
AT that moment carriage drove up
in front of the house. The footman
.alighted and opened ths door for hand
some young woman to step down upon
the stones. She gave the footman sig
nal, he climbed upon the box, and tho
carriage wheeled about and drove away.
She rang the bell and called for Dr..
Struthers. The doctor heard her call,
and it gave him time to make pass at
his hair with brush, to tidy up his
clothes bit and to Inutter:
Here's patient at last--I hope.p
Are you DIR. Struthersf'' she asked,
standing in the doorway, a picture of
loveliness and stylish clothes.
Eyes, am. Will you come in and be
seated?'
-s She sat down listlessly in the chair
provided for her, uttering Departing
little cry as she did so.
DIR. Struthers mustered all of his dig
nifty, self possession and wisdom. AS
he looked at her for a moment before
she spoke he wondered If she could be
i'll at all, she was apparently SO rosy
checked and healthy.
"You see, DOCTOR" she said, ''heart
disease is hereditary in the Tyler fam
lily, and-and I've got it." This with
another despairing little sigh.
Heart disease1 Fortunes had been
made out of heart disease The doctor
took hope.
YES" he said slowly, waiting for her
to go on.
"You see, Skuyler said it was all my
imagination" she continued between
gasps for breath.
"They said | thought had it when
hadn't it." There was the suggestion of
spout on her pretty lips.
Every presuming of them, am sure
interposed Struthers.
She liked him for his sympathy, and
she became more confidential.
II know have it. Why, when / go
up stairs it beats so fast, and can't get
my breath, just the way poor, dear
mamma said her own did," She reach
ed for her handkerchief and wiped away
two small tears with it, "Papa-I beg
your pardon for not telling you before
papa is Mr.. Cortland Tyler-papa says
it's all nonsense just because DIR. Skuyl-
or says so. If DR.. Skuyler told papa he
was going to die tomorrow, papa would
believe it, he's such a goose" She
stopped and blushed, astonished at her
Bell. JLl ulQU mean 10 say tEdt,
but I'm sure I've got the heart disease,
30 came to a new doctor who would
know that had it."
"If you will please let me examine, J
shall be able to tell you in moment,
the young physician said sasely. Fl.
moved his chair over to er<side ar
bent his head down SO that his ear woulG
be directly over the heart of his beauti
full patient. A little thrill passed through
Miss Tyler's heart and madeit beat fast
er as she felt his head touch her coat
and looked down upon his handsome
stock of light hair. Ayoung doctor was
much nicer than an old one, she thought.
He listened to the pi5pats for moment
and found that the beats were perfectly
regular, but were faster than normal.
When he raised his head, DR.. Struth-
ers looked serious and little alarmed.
,s.sssWhat is the matter? Tell mel Don't
keep me in suspensel"
~ trust you are brave woman"---
III KNEW It'll Iknew itw she cried.
AY6ti have very serious heart trou-