Connecticut western news., 1896-07-23
A RUSE THAT LOST.

 can tell. she may prove to be my only one. She is now a buxom wife with some four or five rosy. romping children. and am still bachelor. But time is . great healer, and can now tell the story of my luckless suit with Dora Rudgwick without pang.
 Dora was the only daughter of re- tired London medical man. At the time first made her acquaintance her father had retired from practice and was a widower. I 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 fessed to have any deep affection for mel she liked me. however, and was willing to become my wife if her papa approved. But the eccentric old man would not hear of it I remember how dejected ! was after he had told me, with oonsid- erable vigor, that could not become his son-in- law. and how indignant felt at bis declining to give me any reasons for his decision. The following day met on old college friend in Bond street. Douglas Bligh.
 "You are not looking very bright, :" he said. What are you worrying about" Bhgh also was doctor. He had walk ed the same hospital as old Rudgwiok. only many years later.
 "A love affair."" I confessed, with forced smile.
 "Ahl Thought something of the sort. Girl thrown you overf"
 "No. not the girl--the fatherr' "Oh, that's nothingi If the lady is willing, love will find out way, and papa will come round"
 He is pig headed old doctor-I beg your pardon, but suppose doctor may sometimes be pig headed like the rest 0 us2" Undoubtedly. Do know himr "Dr. Gordon Rudgwiok.
 "Oh. yes. am acquainted with him. ! also once met Miss Rudgwick. con- gratulate you. old fellow. A charming young lady. 'pon my word. But the old man-hal ha-no wonder he rejected you"
 "Whyf
 "You are too healthyp
 "Too healthyr' "Yes You ought to have some in- teresting and deep seated disease-some- thing complicated and hngeringl"
 "I-what on earth are you driving at. Blighf'
 Don't you knowf He's"- and he touched his forehead with his foreinger. ~"You don't mean it?' "Yes. He is mad on one point He has a 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 1t from her. And this is the cause of his want of parental affection. There is ab- solutely nothing the matter with the young lady. Now, what he wants is a son-in-law riddled with disease. You must get some internal growth or"-
 "Good heavens. Blighl"
 "Come with me and will coach you up in all the symptoms of a 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 diseasep said Dr. Rudgwiok in a state of ecstasy.
 Well. have had suspicious for a long time," replied, "that something was wrong. but I kept the opinion to myself A few days ago. however. l tried to insure my life. and the medical | officers of half a dozen companies reject ed me I then went to first class man, was thoroughly overhauled, 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"
 "Ahi The symptoms are most remark able. have not been so interested for @ long time. It is certainly very curious case, unprecedented in its complexity."
 "Do you really think it is so seriousr'
 "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 I shall survive itf'
 '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,
 ,fNot at all With care. the thing may be induced to run its course even more quickly. Drugs and low diet may be made to do @ good deal in accelerating matters. !"
 "what would you adviser Should consult Sir John"-
 "No. no, mol Don't consult anybody. Don't meddle with it. or you may spoil all"
 "But perhaps a cure"-
 "Cure, sir Don't talk such sickly nonsense, or I shall hegin to think | possible that you could do such a mear 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 pathol pgy."
 'What, then. is the use of pathology if doctors are not to cure3"
 Pathology, sir, treats of diseases their causes, effects and symptoms. | is brapch of knowledge, an interesting abstract study, recreation. It hal nothing to do with treatment, cures ana such like quackeries.
 But what may be sport to you fl death to us.
 Why, we must all die, and what could be nobler than to die in the cause of sciencef By the way, you were speak ing to me about my daughter the othel day"
 I shook my head in a melancholy manner.
 Well, have been thinking I spok, hastily. She is yours. I shall be proud to have you as a son-in-law. To watoi the course of your complaint will be [ ] nrixilass and . dsisht Marry As s0oz