Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1896-05-09


consult Sir john
"No. no, mol Don't consult anybody.
Don't meddle with it, or you may spoil
ALL"
But perhaps cure'-
"Cure, sir! Don't talk such sickly
nonsense, or I shall begin to think it
possible that you could do such mean
and dishonorable thing as to rob medical
science of one of the most instructive,
beautiful and striking cases that have
ever enriched the literature of path"l-
ogy."
"What, then, is the use of pathology
if doctors are not to cure?"
Pathology, sir, treats of diseases,
their causes, effects and symptoms. 1t
is a branch of knowledge, an interesting
abstract study, recreation. 1t has
nothing to do with treatment, cures and
such like quackeries.
"But what may be sport to you is
death to us.
"Why, we must all die, and what
could be nobler than to die in the cause
of science? By the way, you were speak
ing to me about my daughter the other
day"
I shook my head in a melancholy
manner.
"Well, have been thinking I spoke
hastily. She is yours. shall be proud
to have you as a sonin- law. To watch
the course of your complaint will be a
privilege and delight. Marry as soon
as ever you like. I think you will find
Dora somewhere about the house. See
her and fix the matter up.
But Dora was not to be seen that day.
She had gone to her room indisposed.
When 1 called the next morning, the
housekeeper told me that Miss Rudg-
wick had gone on visit to friends at
Brighton, but had left a note for me.
opened it and read as follows:
81 overheard your talk with papa,
and am SO very, very sorry for you. I
do so hope that your state is not SO bad
as you fear, and that you will not lose
courage and will soon get we'll.
"Of course everything must now be
at an end between us. 1t would be mad
ness to talk of marriage. shall always
think Of you as a very dear friend, and
want you to believe that you will have
my most sincere sympathy"
l put the letter in my pocket and
went home. What mess had made of
it! First I had gained the consent of
Dora and failed to obtain that of her
father. Now I had obtained the doc
tors consent and lost the daughters s.
Fancy her overhearing all that said
and thinking was speaking the truth
about the diseased state of my body |!
And yet, why should she have supposed
was lying?
One thing was certain. I must find
her out and explain all. DR.. Rudgwick
knew the name of the friends whom
Dora had gone to, but he could not tell
me the address, He had been accustomed
to allow her to 60 and come pretty much
as she pleased.
A week passed, several days of which
had spent at Brighton, without any
thing being heard of her. One morning
strolled round to DR.. Rudgwick's to
learn whether his daughter had written,
when saw an empty cab standing at the
door.
''Miss Dora has just arrived, sir. I'll
tell her you are here. -
l stepped into the drawing room and
waited. In few minutes 1 heard the
dear girl running down the stairs. My
heart leaped with joy.
"How do you do:" she said, placing
her little hand in mine and looking in
to my eyes with infinite pity. 81 do
hope you are better. You are looking
pretty we'll. "
my dear Dora, was never better in
my life. That was all untrue about my
illness. I am in perfect health. -
"Untrue?"
"All of it. I will explain it to you
another time"
."Then you are not going to die in six
months?''
II hope not, nor in six decades. Are
you sorry?''
"Sorry? OF course not, butt
II have your fathers consent to our
marriage. Darling. you will now be
mine?'
"ImpossibleP'
"How so?"
"Well, the fact is-I-I am mar
riedv'
sprang back amazed.
lyon see, thought you were DOOM
ed man. l heard it from your own lips.
Marriage with you would have been
mad, impossible. And papa's strange
talk alarmed me, especially when he
gave his consent. was terrified and
feared his anger. So I went away to
friends at Brighton. There met Cap
tain Ainsworth. He was my first love,
and have never really lost my affection
for him. He asked me to marry him,
and-well, did SO at once, as he is 60
ing out to India. You really cannot
blame me, can you?'
No; l didn't exactly blame her, but
cursed my fate, and told Bligh that he
was the biggest fool in his profession,
for which he has never thoroughly for
given me, though he says he has.
don Tit Bits.
Ventilated Gloves For Officers.