Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1896-03-20
A RUSE THAT LOST.

She was my first love, and so far as
gan tell, she may prove to be my only
one She is now buxom wife with
some four or five rosy, romping children,
and am still bachelor. But time is u
great healer, and can now tell the story
Of my luckless suit with Dora RudgwiclI
without pang.
Dora was the only daughter of a re-
tired London medical man. At the time
first made her acquaintance her father
had retired from practice and was a
widower. fell head over heels in love
with the girl-though / can hardly be-
lieve it when look at her today-and
she consented to marry me if the old
doctor gave his consent. She never pro
she liked me, however, and was willing
to become my wife il her papa approved.
But the eccentric old man would not
hear of it. / remember how detected
was after he had told me, with consid-
cradle vigor, that / could not become his
son-in-l law, and how indignant felt mt
his declining to give me any reasons for
his decision. The following day | met
an old college friend in Bond street.
Douglas Bligb.
''You are not looking very bright, ]" he
said What are you worrying about
Bligh also was doctor, He had walk
ed the same hospital as old Rudgwick,
only many years later
"A love affair."" ] confessed, with a
forced smile.
"Ah Thought something of the sort.
Girl thrown you over?"
"No, not the girl--the father"
ooh, that's nothing If tho lady is
willing, love will find out way, and
papa will come round. "
He is a pig headed old doctor-I beg
your pardon, but suppose doctor may
sometimes be pig headed like the rest of
us?''
Undoubtedly. Do know hm?"
"Dr. Gordon Rudgwick "
ooh, yes. am acquainted with him.
also once met Miss Rudgwick. ] con
graduate you, old fellow. A charming
young lady, pom my word. But the old
you
"Why?'
"You are too healthy"
TOO healthyi"
eyes. You ought to have some in
teresting and deep seated disease--some-
thing complicated and lingering'
"I--what on earth are you driving
at. Blight"
Don't you know? Hos and he
touched his forehead with his forefinger
"You don mean itY'
Eyes He is mad on one point. He
has contempt for healthy people, and
respects only those who are suffering
from some terrible disease. -
But his daughter never told me- -
"She doesn't know. They have kept
it from her And this is the cause of his
want of parental affection. There il alb
solutely nothing the matter with the
young lady. Now, what he wants is a
son in law liddled with disease. You
must get some internal growth orr
"Good heavens, BlighP y
Come with me and will coach you
up in all the symptoms Of most inter
esting malady. Everything will then
turn out according to your best wishes. !"
But how did you discover you were
in possession Of this striking diseasel"
said Dr. Rudgwick in a state Of ecstasy.
"Well, have had suspicious for u
long time, replied, that something
was wrong, but ] kept the opinion to
myself A few days ago, however,
tried to insure my life, and the medical
officers Of half IA dozen companies reject
ed me / then went to first class man,
was thoroughly oyerhauled, told exactly
what was the matter with me and in
formed that ] was one Of the most ex-
traordinary cases that had ever come
under his notice. He gives me only six
months
"Ah The symptoms are most remark
able. / have not been so interested for u
long time. 1t is certainly a very curious
case, unprecedented in its compIexity.
"Do You really think it il 30 serious?"
"Oh, / hope so. | think / may safely
assert that the man you have consulted
is absolutely correct in his diagnosis, if
the symptoms are as you say.
"Do you think / shall su yiyc itY'
Not unless you allow the course Of
the disorder to be interfered with by
those sentimental quacks who hinder the
advance Of pathological science by seek
ing cures.
But six months is very short, - said
despondently.
Not at all. With care, the thing may
be induced to run its course even more
quickly. Drugs and a low diet may be
made to do a good deal in accelerating
matters.
What would you advise? Should |
consult Sir john
"No. no, no! Don't consult anybody.
Don't NEEDLE with it, or you may spoil
all
But perhaps a cure
"Cure, sirl Don't talk such sickly
nonsense, or | shall begin to think il
possible that you could do such mean
and dishonorable thing as TO rob medical
EC.once Of one Of the most instructive,
beautiful and striking cases that have
ever enriched the literature Of pathol
ogy."
What, then, is the use Of pathology
if doctors are not TO cure?"
Pathology, sir, treats Of diseases
their causes, effects and symptoms. /
EsafGpeo eagerly IQr . glimpse Of ID