The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-08
MY PATIENT.

AT the commencement Of my medical
career l was lucky enough to have as
sponsor the celebrated DR.. Atkins, who,
having On extensive practice In Mayfair
was often able to put u fow guineas in NY
pocket.
Ono August was left in charge of his
house and practice, and immensely proud
1 was, remember. Nothing of interest
had occurred, however, until about u week
afterward, when, looking out from tho
breakfast room, l noticed u superb car
riage draw up ut the door. In few mo-
mcnts n lady got out and asked to SEQ Dr.
Atkins Summoning all my scanty stock
of assurance, made my appearance only
to DO chilled by her first words:
Il beg your pardon. 1 asked for DR..
Atkins"
I'm awfully sorry" impulsively said
q never could BIO 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 me help you? I'll
do tho best l cam
had come near her as 1 spoke, and sho
took my arm and looked, it seemed to me,
right down into my soul. Evidently what
she saw treasured her, for she sat down
and said:
well, doctor, I'll trust you. Imay tell
you that have been married five years
and am my husbands second wife. His
first wife, who was, l believe, n very
charming woman, got up during tho
night, and, for some reason or another, no
doubt intense fright, jumped out of the
window. Ny husband was i'll for long
time Afterward. / mot 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 mo, and yet
am mortally afraid Of him.
For the last fow months no has been
conducting q parliamentary candidaturo
and has been much ovorworked in consc-
quence. He sent mo away to Franco ut
first, but l insisted on coming back to help
him.. rs was my duty. One Friday night
after we had gone to bed was aroused by
movement at my side. TO my horror 1
saw my husband get out of bed and begin
TO move softly round tho room. Creeping
on tiptoo behind chair, he brought his
fist down Oh the back of it with great force
and then returned quietly to bed Every
Friday night since no has done the same
thing until l dread tho nights approach
What can do. doctor? I love him as few
women love their husbands, but dread to
speak to him even. It's killing mo by
inches. l dread the fate of tho other Door
woman
She buried her face in her hands and
sobbcd rs if her heart would break, while
l felt utterly helpless. Half an hour be-
fore would have checrfuily offered to give
any one advice and now-well, | am moro
modes: now and slow to interfere i'll other
folks affairs. What could say: l was
evidently face to face with one of those
subtle forms of epilepsy which are so puz-
Zling to the physician.
My dear madam, do not give up hope
Send your husband to me and let mo have
talk with him. Who knows-I may DO
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
riagc.
After sho had gone gazcd at the card
Mrs. Ernest Trcnarth, Park lane. Lon
dom
There was obviously some dark secret
which Trenarth had hidden in his past.
The strange movements at night, tho Inys-
terious death of his first wife told talo
of crime All that day tho story haunted
Inc. l read up all the authorities on the
subject but without any success, and do
cided at last To trust To chance in the man
agemcnt Of my future patient.
Tho next morning at about IL o'clock a
card bearing Trcnarth's numo was given
me, and l hurried into the consulting
room.
Ho was n tall, massive man with q
strongly marked facc-not by any means a
good looking man, but with face that
seemed somehow to invite scrutiny.
well, doctor" he said in singularly
sweet voice, here 1 ON, but what l am
hero for is beyond mo. My wife insists
that am i'll, and, as her will is law, an
como to consult you. Don't give mo very
nasty physic."
Somehow the words did not ring true
He WAS Ill at ease and wished to laugh it
OH. Without q moments Thought and
netting upon an impulse due, l suppose, to
tho deep consideration had given to his
case, L said leaning forward:
What mndo you kill himf"
The effect was electrical. He sDranQ
from his seat rs il no had been shot, and
his face became white as u sheet His
breath came fast and pantingly, and for %
moment thought he WAS going to strike
me. remained by an effort Of will sit
ing down, while he paced tho long room
Ike an angry animal. Finally he throw
himself into his chair, and, wiping his
pale face, suid, moro 10 himself than to me:
We'll, doctor, it will bo ~ relief to me
to gc! i; off NY mind For 90 years this
secret has lain heavy OH my soul, until
there have been times when / felt / was
going mad
Don't worry" said I. "Tako your
own time and tell mo everything. want
TO do You good il cam"
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