The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-06-05
A CASE IN EQUITY.
lcoprieht. 1905. by J. 3. LIppIueOu Col
III.
BY FRANCIS LYNDE.
ONE WAY TO CURE ENNUI.

"Just say that over again, will you
doctor? l don't think / quite took in
the length and breadth of IT,"
Thorndyke was in his shirt-sleeves
but he reached mechanically for his
coat and vest when the physician re-
placed the stethoscope among its lxins.
men in the glass case.
II said that your condition is very
critical'-the concern in DIR. Perevins
voice was too real TO be professional
that IL we don't look out you'll slip
away from us Us your Uncle Granville
did"
Granville Thorndyke had died OF
quick consumption when his nephew
was boy OF ~, and Philip had q very
vivid recollection of the strong mans
steeple-chase down the road 10 emacia-
ton and death. 1t seemed incredible
that such a thing could happen to him.
He sat down and tried to realize il.
Realizing is usually n methodical
process, but when n man believes he
has just heard his death-sentence pro-
nounced it is apt to be different. Thorn
dykes mind skipped the intermediate
steps and arrived at the end of things
with shock that Jared him out Of his
usual habit OF Indifference.
For Gods sake, doctor! Do you
know-but of course you don't; no man
can really put himself in another's
place when II comes TO the pinch"
"Not wholly, perhaps; and yet can
tell you IL isn't pleasant TO be prophet
of evil. Hadn't you any hint of your
danger?"
"Not the least in the world. Why,
I'm here now only because the mother
and Helen insisted upon my coming.
And / can't take ii in yet; I'm not sick
I've never had twinge or a symptom
worth mentioning"
THAT may be- the trouble frequently
begins so stealthily as TO give but little
warning. Your uncle reached your age
without suspecting that he had the
disease, and then, as you remember, he
died within the year."
'Yes; know all about it," assented
the young man, moodily, "and now
know why mother was so anxious"
He got up and walked nervously back
and forth in front of the physician,
with his hands behind him and his head
down. IF anybody had told me / was
such n coward / shouldn't have be-
ieved IL, doctor. This thing has come
so suddenly that I'm all at sea. What
is there to be done or is there anything
TO be done?"
The physician shook his head. "Tax-
ing IL for granted that you want the
plain fact, I'm afraid the chances are
against you. Sometimes n complete
change of scene, climate, and habit will
work the miracle that would seem TO be
necessary in case like yours, but IL Is
only fair TO warn you that such an ex-
pertinent might only shorten your life."
"a sort of forlorn hope" rejoincd
Thorndyke. Nevertheless, / think Ill
try IL, not so much on my own account
ns because-Doctor, where should / go,
and how long n time can count onY"
Answering your last question first
II don't know; no one can say positive
iy; but unless you get help almost inn
mediately the disease is likely to de-
velop very rapidly. / should say that
six months would tell the story, one
way or the other; though it might take
longer. And as to the place, there isn't
much choice, so long as you get an even
temperature and pleasant surround
inqs. / have considerable faith In the
climate OF the southern end OF the Blue
Ridge; but you must live out OF doors
IL you go there"
"Six months; something less than 200
days. That ought TO give a man time
enough 70 make his peace; many poor
devil gets less than that many minutes
or seconds. Ard yet there are some
things that can't well be settled in a
short half year"
'sYou are thinking of your engage
mcnt to Hclen?"
.Yes; that, and the property, and
my mothers grief and worry, and n
hundred other things that were not OF
the least consequence an hour ago."
He took his hat and paused In the door
way. Doctor, / wish you wouldn't
say anything about this--ot least. not
Just yet. Don't tell the mother or
Helen, mean"
Certainly not"
s'Thank you. I'll sec you again be-
fore 20. that Is, II IL seems worth while
20 make the experiment"
An hour earlier in the day, Philip