Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-04-04
A RUSE THAT LOST.

She was my first love, and SO far as I
can 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 a
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
I 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 me +;
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. remember how detected /
was after he had told me, with consid-
cradle vigor, that could not become his
son in law, and how indignant I felt at
his declining to give me any reasons for
his decision. The following day I met
an old college friend in Bond street
Douglas Bligh.
"You are not looking very bright, y he
cos1 GsWhpt sra V,r,. ahny1t Tf'
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 yon Overt"
"No, not the girl--the father!"
ooh, that's nothing! 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 Of
us?''
Undoubtedly. Do know him?"
cdr. Gordon Rudgwiok."
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
mania! ha-no wonder lie rejected
you'll"
"Why?"
"You are too healthy!"
"Too healthy
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? He's and he
touched his forehead with his forefnger.
"You don't mean it2"
Eyes. He is mad on one point. He
has a contempt for healthy people, and
respects oi " those who are suffering
from S, terrible disease.
"But his laughter 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 is alb
solutely nothing the matter with the
young lady. Now, what he wants is a
son-in-l law r'ddled with disease You
must get some internal growth orr
"Good heavens, Blight"
Come with me and will coach yon
up in all the symptoms Of most inter-
esting malady. Everything will then
turn out according to your best wishes. =
Y i
"But how did you discover you We're
in possession of this striking disease!"
said DR.. Rudgwick in state Of ecstasy.
"Well, I have had suspicious for a
long time," replied, 'that something
was wrong, but ! kept the opinion to
myself A few days ago. however, I
tried to insure my life, and the medical
officers Of half dozen companies reject
ed me. I then went to first class man,
was thoroughly oyerhauled. told exactly
what was the matter with me and in.
formed that Twas 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 o
long time 1t is certainly very curious
case, unprecedented in its completely.
''Do you really think it is SO serious?"
"Oh, hope SO. think may safely
assert that the man you have consulted
ia absolutely correct in his diagnosis, it
the symptoms are as you say. ("
"Do you think I shall survive it?'
"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 RIM its course even more
quickly. Drugs and low diet may be
made to do q good deal in accelerating
matters. y
"What would you advise? Should /
consult Sir john
mo. no. no! Don't consult anybody.