Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1896-04-28
MY PATIENT.

At the commencement of my medical
career was lucky enough to have as
sponsor the celebrated DIR. Atkins, who
having an extensive practice in Mayfair
was often able to put a few guineas in my
pocket.
One August was left in charge of his
house and practice, and immensely proud
I was, remember. Nothing of interest
had occurred however, until about a week
afterward, when, looking out from th(
breakfast room, noticed superb car
riage draw up at the door. In u few mo
ments a lady got out and asked to SEQ DR..
Atkins. Summoning all my scanty stock
of assurance, made my appearance, only
to be chilled by her first words:
II beg your pardon. asked for DR..
Atkins"
"Im awfully sorry,'' I impulsively said
Il never could be professional long), "but
the doctor is away for another three weeks.
He has known mo from child, and so he
asked mo to look after things during his
absence. Won't you let mo help you? I'll
do the best l can.'
had come near her as spoke, and she
took my arm and looked, it seemed to mo,
right down into my soul. Evidently what
she saw reassured her, for she sat down
ana said:
''Well doctor, I'll trust you. Imay tell
you that I have been married five years
and am my husbands second wife. His
first wife, who was, l believe, very
charming woman, got up during the
night, and, for some reason or another, no
doubt intense fright, jumped out Of the
window. My husband was i'll for long
time aftcrward. I met and married him,
and no man could be kinder--no man
could be better husband. No trouble is
too great for him to take for me- and yet
am mortally afraid of him.
''For the last few months he has been
conducting parliamentary candidature
and has been much overworked in conse-
quence. He sent mo away to France at
first, but l insisted OH coming back to help
him, as was my duty. One Friday night
after we had gone to bed was aroused by
a movement at my side. To my horror l
saw my husband get out Of bed and begin
to move softly round the room. Creeping
on tiptoe behind chair, he brought his
fist down on the back Of 1t with great force
and then returned quietly to bed. Every
Friday night since he has done the same
thing until I dread the nights approach.
What can do, doctor? love him as few
women lovo their husbands, but dread to
speak to him oven. It's killing mo by
inches. dread the fate Of the other poor
woman"
She buried her face in her hands and
sobbed as If her heart would break, while
! felt utterly helpless. Half an hour be-
fore Iwould have Gheerfully offered to give
any one advice and now-well, am more
modest now and slow to Interfere III other
folks affairs. What could I say? was
evidently face to face with one of those
subtle forms Of epilepsy which are SO puz-
cling to the physician.
MY dear madam, do not give up hope.
Send your husband to me and let me have
a talk with him. Who knows-I may be
able to suggest some treatment which
may be Of service.
With an effort that evidently cost her
much she thanked mo and went to her car
riage
After she had gone gazed at the card,
Mrs. Ernest Trenarth, Park lane, LON
don."
There was obviously some dark secret
which Trenarth had hidden in his past.
The strange movementsat night, the mys-
terious death Of his first wife, told tale
Of crime. All that day the story haunted
ME. read up all the authorities on tho
subject, but without any success and de-
cided at last to trust to chance in the man
ngement Of my future patient.
Tho next morning at about / l O. clock
card bearing Trenarth's name was given
me, and hurried into the consulting
room.
He was tall, massive man with
strongly marked face--not by any means q
good looking man, but with a face that
seemed somehow to invite scrutiny.
swell, doctor" he said In singularly
sweet voice, "here I am, but what I II
here for is beyond me. My wife insists
that am Ill, and, as her will is law, am
come to consult you. Don't give me very
nasty physic.
Somehow the wordD did not ring true.
He was Ill at ease and wished to laugh Ii
of. without moments thought and
acting upon an impulse due, suppose, to
the deop consideration had given to his
case, said, Gaming forward:
What made you kill himf''
The effect was electrical He sprang
from his seat as II he had been shot, and
his face became whito as sheet. His
breath came fast and pantingly, and for
moment ! thought ho was going to strike
me. remained by an effort Of will SIT
ting down, while he paced tho long room
like an angry animal. Finally he threw
himself into his chair, and, wiping his
pale face, said, more to himself than to me:
"Well, doctor, 1t will be q relief to mo
10 get 1T off my mind. For 20 years this
secret has lain heavy on my soul, until
there have been times whom 1 felt was
going mad.
"Dont worry said I. '.Take your
own time and tell me everything. I want
to do you good II ] cam
Thanksl II your skin II as great q