The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-03-28
Select Storn.
A RUSE THAT LOST.


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 great
healer, and I 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
l first made her acquaintance her father
had retired from practice and was
widower fell head over heels in love
with the girl-though I can hardly be-
lieve it when I look at her today-and
she consented to marry me if the old doc
tor gave his consent. She never professed
to have any deep affection for me; she
liked me, however, and was willing to be-
come my wife if her papa approved
But the eccentric old man would not
hear of it. | remember how detected I
was after he had told me, with consider
able vigor, that l could not become his
son-in-law, and how indignant felt at his
declining to give me any reasons for his
decision. The following day met an old
college friend in Bond street-Douglass
Bligh.
You are not looking very bright, he
said. ''What are you worrying about p
Bligh also was doctor. He had walk
ed the same hospital as old Rudgwick only
many years later.
"a love affair, I confessed, with a
forced smile.
"Ah I thought something of the
sort Girl thrown you over p
No, not the girl-the father =
"0h, that's nothing? If the lady is
willing, love will find out a way, and papa
will come round .
''He is pig headed old doctor-I beg
your pardon, but l suppose a doctor may
sometimes be pig headed like the rest of
us?''
Undoubtedly. Do know him?''
''Dr Gordon Rudgwick -
''Oh, 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 he rejected
you =
''Why?''
You are too healthyP'
Too healthyT'
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,
Bligh?'
'iDon't you know2 s'-and he
touched his forehead with his fore6nger.
''You don't mean it?''
eyes. Ee is mad on one point. He
has contempt for healthy people, and
respects only those who are suffering from
some terrible disease. -
s'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 is alb
solutely nothing the matter with the young
lady Now, what he wants is son-in-
law riddled with disease. You must get
some internal growth or =
sGood heavens, Blight"
"Come with me and | will coach you
up in all the symptoms of most interest
ing malady, Everything will then turn
out according to your best wishes,
But how did you discover you wereiu
possession of this striking disease 2 said
DR.. Rudgwick in state of ecstasy.
s'Well, l have had suspicious for long
time" l replied ''that something was
wrong, but l kept the opinion to myself
A few days ago, however, tried to insure
my life, and the medical officers Of half a
dozen companies rejected me. ! then
went to first class man. was thoroughly
overhauled, told exactly what was the
matter with me and informed that | was
one of the most extraordinary cases that
had ever come under his notice. He gives
me only six months.
'Ahl The symptoms are most remark
able. have not been 50 interested for
long time 1t is certainly q very curious
case, unprecedented in its complexity."
i;no you really think it is 50 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 survive it
Not unless You allow the course of the
disorder to be interfered with by those
sentimental quacks who hinder the ad-
vance of pathological science by seeking
cures
But six months IS very short, I said
despondently.
Not at all. With care, the thing may
be induced to run its epuFse even more
quickly, Drugs and . low diet may be
made to do coed deal In accelerating
matters.
'sWhat would you advised Should
consult Sir John -