The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1898-10-08
A DEADLY Z OCTAVE

I.
& Il see by your face, doctor. that you
I think It a very serious case. Is not
that so ?'
Well. Mrs. Delmege.'' replied, in
as cheering tone as possible, there
is really no Immediate cause for anx-
iety. Your daughter is undoubtedly
not in good state Of health; her
nerves are upset and she wants rest
and total freedom from worry"
But" said Mr.. Delmege, what can
she have had to worry her? She
was always, as you know, in the best
OF health and good spirits until the
past few months. when she has gradu-
ally fallen into this condition"
II should like to see DR.. O'Connell,"'
replied, rather evasively. HE has.
you say, been attending Miss Delmege
for some time past?''
DR.. O'Connell, the local practitioner,
lived but short distance from Dean
park, Mr.. Delmege's residence.
I'VE will send the trap over there
at; once with you il you wish,'' said
Mr. Delmege.
do so!' I answered. II am anx-
ious to see him as soon as possible"
had lengthy conversation with
the doctor. He was a smart, intelligent
looking man, and had the reputation Of
possessing larger share of ability
than is usual in a country practitioner.
The result of our conversation was
that I decided to remain for some
house in London for my things to be
sent on. - +..,.. 81.
The case was a more serious one
than cared to admit to Miss Del
mege's parents. The danger was not
immediate; but if my diagnosis of the
case, with which DR.. O'Connell quite
agreed, was a correct one-the girls
life was undoubtedly in danger.
Miss De1mege was a young girl of
about 18, and extremely pretty, she
was an only child, and the idol Of her
parents. She had suddenly some
months ago. fallen into rather bad
health, becoming subject to violent
headaches, attended by continued sore
throats and pains in the eyes.
At length DR.. O'Connell, the local
man advised calling in further advice,
and l, being an old friend Of Mr.. Del
mege's was sent for.
Ten days or so passed by after my
arrival at Deanpark, during which
time / carefully studied and watched
the progress-for progress, alas! it
was-of the malady from which Miss
Delmege was suffering, and at the end
nf that time was fairly puzzled to ar
rive at the cause, though was quite
satisfied as to what the nature Of the
illness was.
"Can we do nothing for my poor
child?' exclaimed Mr.. Delmege, during
one of my visits. "Is she to die under
our very hands?"
determined then to tell Mr.. Del
mege my opinion of the case, as there
was nothing to be gained by conceal
ing it any longer from him.
~I have made" said, "a most care
full diagnosis of the complaint from
which your daughter is suffering, and
there is in my mind not the slightest
doubt but that it is the effects of
arsenic poisoning"
Mr.. Delmege stared at me in horror.
Poisoning he exclaimed.
T. Yes" continued. "All her symp-
toms are those exhibited in arsenic
poisoning. The mystery is how she
is getting it. She eats exactly the
same food as you eat; it cannot, there
fore, be in that way. have examined
critically the paper on the walls Of her
bedroom; have subjected even the n
soap, her tooth powder-every little
thing can think Of, in fact-to a
most minute inspection, and in no way
can ascertain any traces Of the rois-
ing. zHs=-&% ~.
Il confess feel helpless to strike on
any likely theory at present, but at
all events I would advise your TAX
ing your daughter for change of air
somewhere. If she makes decided
improvement while away, candidly
tell you I would not take her back
here until have ascertained the
source of this poison, which is un-
doubtedly being administered to your
daughter in such a way that it appar-
emily affects no others in your house
hold"
Mr.. Delmege stood aghast at what I
told him.
"Poison?" he said "Oh, who would
want to injure my poor Agnes, who
never did harm to anyone in her 1ife?"
e'Tel1 me-" I asked, "is there any-
ono uIn would gain dirocflv IN, h,r