New-York tribune., 1898-01-16
MIR. CHILTON'S WIVES.
CHAPTER I.


side of a patient by the following note:
Dear Madam: If you can spare half hour
for the succor of distressed sister worker,
pray do so. have been to half the doctors in
London, and they and all persist in taking
an adverse view Of my case | want fresh
and more hopeful opinion | have heard myself
discussed from the masculine standpoint. Please
come and prospect me through feminine glasses
and give verdict more in accordance with
mine beliefs. Yours sincerely.
JOAN Chiffon"
drove to the address given-an obscure street
In Bloomsbury.
The door was opened by a maid Of the
"Marchioness" type. She opened 1t "on the
chain.' with air of caution and an eye
bolligerent, though she had reason for re-
gardng the outside world a force to be kept
at bay.
Does Mrs. Chiffon live here?'
She answered my question by another. BE
you the lady doctor?' Curiosity banshed
belligerence
down with widening eyes
N.Y. she said, candidly, you don't look not
so very much different from other folk" Where
upon she admitted me-
She took up flight OF dinsy stairs and
raped with her knuckles on door
He is ln," she said; Il can smell the ter
bakker. Mr.. Chiffon nll come 'issclf, and it does
anybody's eyes good to him. he's that and
some. A real gent, he Is, every inch o. him"
The who responded to her summons was
certainly handsome-a fine. stalwart- looking fel-
low. on seeing me he removed his pipe and
bowed
"The lady doctor. Mr.. Chiffon" the Mar
chioness announced, "and ef the copys ready
sir. perhaps you'll let me ave it now. and save
the stairs. becos that there boy he's that ag-
gravatin' this mornn','
Mr.. Chiffon found me a chair, and. excusng
himself. rolled up bundle of manuscript and
carried it to her
Then. IL will tell my wife you are here DR.
Ramsey" he said, and went into an adjoining
room.
The room in which sat was shabby to an ex-
treme and aggressivey untidy. On table stood
tray bearing an empty dish and two plates
whereon lay denuded chop bones Two tumblers
to which unwhoesome-lookng froth cung
and a bottle labelled STOUT betrayed the
nature OF the beverage which had accompanied
the meal. The air redoent OF tobacco, re-
mote and recent. The chairs and tables were
strewn with manuscripts and proofshcets
Coats. sticks and masculine boots further lit
tered the place From basket on the hearth
a baby terrier tumbled and flung itself toward
with yeps intended to appa
When presently summoned to the other room
found the invalid smiling on her bed. She was
Il pretty. fragile little creature with brilliant
dark eyes and a tange of curly hair
"Oh, DOCTOR" she cried with the softcst Of
broSues, how charming OF you to come so
soon ! really am not bit OF an urgent case
though they all look so grave over me. And
isn't it just nonsense to shake their heads so
sayriously over energetic creature like me-?
tell them shall outiive them all" She laughed
brightly, winding up with a cough which lasted
some minutes.
THE ethics Of my last article have got into
me throat" she explained challenging me with
abnormally brilliant eyes. the while she strove
me. L look forward to the time says l. when
woman will revert to her natural position. when
bicycles and latch-kcys. professions ana rights
will be az obsolete nOse-rings, when the
paror the kitchen and the nursery-hcr proper
domain--Will be graced by her perpetual pres
ence, and the outside world viii know her no
more Isn't that sentence enough now to suffo-
cate a woman who was two years at Girton,
works hard for her living, and sends for a doctor
Of her own sex to prescribe for herr But the new
woman is my editors bugbear. If he only knew
he wouldn't have me write a line. He thinks
Tom-that IL my husband-he thinks him the
perpetrator Of adl the nonsense send him. That's
right Chiffon he says. give II 'em hot. We've
Dot to take of our coats. tuck up our trousers