The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1896-07-18
A RUSE THAT LOST.

- y u n
She was my first love, and so far as !
can tell, she may prove to be my only
ono She is now buxom wife with
some four or five rosy. romping children.
and / am still bachelor. But time il
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. fell head over heels in love
with the girl-though can hardly be-
lieye IL when l 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 felt at
his declining to give me any reasons for
his decision. The following day / met
an old college friend in Bond street.
Douglas Bligh.
"You are not looking very bright. " he
said. "What are you worrying aboutY'
Bligh also was doctor. He had walk
ed the same hospital as old Rudgwick,
only many years later.
"A love affair" l confessed with a
forced smile.
"Ah Thought something of the sort.
Girl thrown You overg"
"No, not the girl--the father ~
"Oh. that's nothing If the 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 l suppose doctor may
sometimes be pig headed like the rest Of
us?''
Undoubtedly. Do l know him?"
"Dr Gordon Rudgwick. "
"Oh, yes. l am acquainted with him.
/ also once met Miss Rudgwick. / con
gratulato you. old fellow. A charming
young lady. pom my word. But the old
mania ha-no wonder he rejected
you'll"
"Why?'
"You are too healthyi"
TOO healthy"
eyes. You ought to have some in
teresting and deep seated disease-some-
thing complicated and lingeringi"
"I-what ON earth are you driving
at. Blighg'
Don't you know? Hos and he
touched his forehead with his forefnger.
"You don't mean itg'
Eyes. He is mad on one point. He
has contemp 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
IL 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 O
son-in-law riddled with disease You
must get some internal growth or
Good heavens, Bligh
"Come with me and l will coach you
up in all the symptoms of a most inter.
esting malady. Everything will then
turn out according to your best wishes. 81
"But how did you discover you were
in possession Of this striking disease?'
said DIR. Rudgwick in a state of ecstasy.
"Well. l have had suspicious for a
long time. " | replied, "that something
was wrong, but ! kept the opinion e
myself A few days ago. however.
tried to insure my life, and the medical
officers Of half dozen companies reject
ed me. then went TO a first class man
was thoroughly ovorhauled, told exactly
what was the matter with me and in
formed that l was one Of the most ex
traordinary cases that had ever com,
under his notice He gives me only 81,
months.
"Ah The symptoms are most remark
able. have not been 80 interested for
long time. Ii is certainly very curioul
case. Unprecedented in it's complexity. -
"Do you really think il is 20 seriousT
"Oh. hope SO. think | may safel,
assert that the man you have consulted
is absolutely correct in his diagnosis, j
the symptoms are as you say.
"Do you think l shall survive its"
"Not unless you allow the course o
the disorder 20 be interfered with b,
those sentimental quacks who hinder tn
advance Of pathological science by seek
ing cures. F"
"But six months is very short, " sai'
despondently.
"Not at all. With care, the thing ma.
be induced TO run its course even NOR
quickly. Drugs and low diet may b
made TO do good deal in acceleratinl
matters.
"What would you adviser Should
consult Sir john
"No. no, no Don't consult anybody