The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-03-28
mo, no. mol Don't consult anybody.
Don't meddle with it, or you may spoil

But perhaps a cure -
''Cure, sir Don't talk such sickly
nonsense, or I shall begin to think it pos
sible 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 en-
riched the literature of pathology.
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 branch of knowledge, an interesting
abstract study, recreation. Il has moth
ing to do with treatment, cures and such
ike quackerics.
'.But what may be sport to you is death
to us.
"Why, we must all die, and what could
be nob!er than to die in the cause of
science? By the way, you were speaking
to me about my daughter the other day.
shook my head in melancholy man
ner.
"Well, | have been thinking spoke
hastily. She is yours. I shall be proud
to have you as son-in-law. To watch
the course of your complaint will be u
privilege and a delight. Marry as soon
as ever you like 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 | called the next morning, the
housekeeper told me that Miss Rudgwick
had gone on a visit to friends at Brighton,
but had left note for me. opened it
and read as follows:
Il overheard your talk with papa, and
am SO very, very sorry for you. | do so
hope that your state is not so bad as you
fear, and that you will not lose courage
and will soon get well.
''Of course everything must now be at
an end between us. 1t would be madness
to talk of marriage. l shall always think
of you as 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 l had made of it !!
First had gained the consent of Dora and
failed to obtain that of her father. Now
l had obtained the doctors consent and
lost the daughters. Fancy her ever
hearing all that said and thinking l was
speaking the truth about the diseased state
of my bodyl And yet, why should she
have supposed l was lying?
One thing was certain. Imust 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 ad-
dress. He had been accustomed to allow
her to go and come pretty much as she
pleased
A week passed, several days of which
had spent at Brighton, without anything
being heard of her. One morning stroll
ed round to DR.. Rudgwick's to learn
whether his daughter had written, when
1 saw an empty cab standing at the door.
''NIiss Dora has just arrived, sir. I'll
tell her you are here.
stepped into the drawing room and
waited In few minutes l heard the
dean girl running down the stairs. My
heart leaped with joy.
''How do you do?'' she said, placing
her little hand in mine and looking into
my eyes with infinite pity. ~ do hope
you are better. You are looking pretty
well. -
''My dear Dora, l 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 sory?''
"Sorry? Of course not, hut
81 have your fathers consent to our
marriage Darling, you will now be
mine p
"Impossibler'
''How so?
"Well, the fact is-I-I am mar
riedr'
sprang back amazed,
"You see, thought you were DOOM
ed man. l heard 1t from your own lips.
Marriage with you would have been mad,
impossible. And papa strange talk alarm
ed me, especially when he gave his con-
sent. l was terrified and feared his anger
So l went away to friends at Brighton.
There 1 met Captain Ainsworth. He was
my first love, and | have never really lost
my affection for him. He asked me to
marry him, and-well, l did so at once,
as he is going out to India. You really
cannot blame me, can you?'
No; didn't exactly blame her, but l
cursed my fate, and told Bligh that he
was the biggest fool in his profession, for
which he has never thoroughly forgiven
me, though he says he has