The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-07-07
APAYING PATIENT.

nOl RCI llitlll OCCduoCt Iibblyg lIC
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 1t 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: 1T seems you are old
Onoug now to have an income of your
own"
In fact, young DIR. Struthers was at
his wits end. He was not the man to
worry. however. There would be way
out Q was sure of that. He lighted a
cigar. pulled at it time, walked over to
the mirror and looked at himself.
Pm not bad looking. I'm dressed
we'll enough. But Pm 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 me up-put some lines in my
face, so | would look about 80. Then
I'd require brass buttoned negro lackey
to receive the patients. If could only
capture one millionaire dyspeptic, one
over-w orked capitalist and one aged
dowager with heart diease-um-um I'd
risk the rest.
"Well, there is nothing to do but to
wait for them" he said. sitting down
again. Il sometimes feel like hiring a
canvssser to solicit patients. "A hand
some, capable young doctor; careful at
tention given to govt and dyspepsia,
mild medicine used That doesn't
sound badly. Humphl Medical digni-
ty prevents it, though. l must sit here
patiently and trust to that little nickle
plated sign to do the rest"
At that moment'a carriage drove up in
front of the house. The footman
alighted and opened the door for q
handsome young woman to step down
upon the stones. She gave the footman
a signal, he climbed upon the box, and
the carriage wheeled about and drove
away.
She rang the bell and called for DIR.
Struthers The doctor heard her call,
anu III gave HIN blllO W iifthO ~ pass dJ
his hair with a brush, to tidy up his
clothes bit and to mutter:
Here's patient at last hope"
"Are you DR.. Struthers?' she asked,
standing in the doorway, picture of
Iovliness and stylish clothes.
"Yes, am. Will you come in and be
seated?"
She sat down listlessly in the chair
,NratyiAnA for hnr tffnrinn q do ain.if, m
little cry as she did so.
DR.. 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 family,
and-and I've got it" This with an
other uespaIrlug niue Sign
Heart diease? Fortunes had been
made out Of heart dieasc. The doctor
took hope.
YES he said slowly, waiting for her
"You see, Skuyler said it was all my
Imagination" she continued between
gasbs for breath.
"They said thought l had it when l
hadn't" There was the suggestion of a
pout on her pretty lips.
Every presuming of them, am sure, !"
interposed Struthers.
She liked him for his sympathy, and
she became more confidential.
81 know have it. Why, when l go
up stairs it beats so fast, and ! can't get
my breath, just the way poor, dear man.
ma said her own did" She reached 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 is all
nonsense just because DR.. Skuyler says
so. If DR.. Skuyler told papa he was GO
ing to die tomorrow papa would be-
lieve it, he's such agoose." She stopped
and blushed, astonished at herself
ooh! ] didn't mean to say that, but Pm
sure I've got the heart diease, so came
to new doctor who would know that l
had it."
''If you will please let me examine, I
shall be able to tell you in a moment,"
the young physician said sagely. He
moved his chair over to her side and
kent his head down so that his ear would
be directly rer the heart of his beauti-
full patient. A little thrill passed
through Miss Tyler's heart and made it
beat faster as she felt his head touch her
coat and looked down upon his hand
some stock of light hair. A young doc
tor was much nicer than an old one, she
thought. He listened to the pitpats 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.
"What is the matter? Tell me !
Don't keep me in suspensep
81 trust you are brave woman
81 know it! knew itr' she cried.
"You have a very serious heart
trouble" he continued gravely. ''If you
have patience, courage and will follow
my instructions, you can be cured"
"Do you think so, doctorP' There
were tears and an appeal in her eyes.
Eyes"
"Tell me what / shall do I'll do Just
as you say. II don't want to die"
"Tll not let YOU" he said encourage
ingly, reaching over to his table for a
prescription blank.
There was nothing organically the
matter with Miss Tyler's heart It I'M
doubtedly did palpitate rapidly at times