The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1899-04-19
John Vaughan, Phi. D.

bred man; and John Vaughan, Phi. d., rue
fully admitted the fact to himself as he hurried
along in the direction of the village hotel
The storm, however, was not to be baked OF
little sport. A spatter of heavy drops caught
him just as he was passing a charming little
garden with handsome country house for {
background His look of dismay caught the
eye of young lady on the porch, and move
ment on her part was quickly interpreted as ar
invitation to under shelter. There ht
found with the young lady, one well on II
middle life and presumably the mother
care you wet, sir?'' inquired the elder lady
with some anxiety, after due salutation on hi
part and ntroductons.
mot at ALL he replied; but l am YER
grateful to you for the kind invitation to com
in out of the rain
"Such experiences are apt to endanger one:
health" continued she, rehectively. 81 am sur
my heart would not give me so much trouble
if it were not for the occasional exposure
suffer in attending my daily duties. Are you {
professional man, may | ask?'
II am sometimes addressed as Doctor
Vaughan,'' he suggested, with a modest smile
"Ah! then I need not tell you how to care
for yourself. Have you given any study tc
special lines of medicine?'
"Er-well, heart troubles have been my chic
concern" ventured Vaughan feeling that ar
explanation would be awkward, and wondering
how far he would get into hot water through
lack of it. "Confound it," he reflected, al
doctors are not physicians. I've made a break
and now I'll have to see this thing through
At any rate it is worth a little embarrassment
to meet that divinity over there"
"Indeed, 1 am glad to know that Mrs
Dorrack said with a degree of enthusiasm
leaving Vaughan to wonder whether she mean
to answer what he said or what he thought. 81
have suffered several years with heart troub
and should be glad to have the opinion Of ;
specialist. All the physicians who have ex
amined me hitherto assert that I am laborins
under a deluson; but / know better"
Vaughan at this point ventured a glance a
the younger lady 1t not the first, by an.
means since his arrival, though chance haC
offered to address her. Now he caught quiz
zcal smile on her face as she half turne
away. 1t was not meant for him, but it CAV
him a slight clue to the situation. he wa
not slow to take With show OF interest h
turned to Mrs. Dorrack
at would give me great pleasure to ex
anime the state of your heart" he said, speak
ing to her while he glanced at the daughter
Permit me to ask question or two: are yo1
sleep,ess at night? Does the constant fear o
something indefinite weigh your mind
Are you always conscious of your hearts beat
'ing?"
These questions, to all of which his hoste
gave a ready answer, were, as nearly as h
at any rate, certainly safe. Assured that sh
had all of these symptoms and many more
as he could recall and depend upon, he felt he
pulse, commented upon that and the genera
state of her health in strictly technical terms
and then said,
81 must admit that your heart needs treat
ment, though the trouble is not of a seriou
nature You will need careful attendance.
should advise you to retire and rest while thi
thunder storm is in progress. The atmosphere
conditions are not suited to your state o
health.''
Mrs Dorrack turned to her daughter with
complacent smile.
81 told you, my dear, that the doctors wer
wrong and that [ needed a specialist. [ shall
certainly put myself under the of Docto
Vaughan" Then, assuring herself that tn
doctor would call the morrow, she wen
upstairs in happy mood, pleased with tn
thought that her disease was no myth
After she had gone, Vaughan. with mingled
feeling of relief and dread, looked cautiously ii
the direction of Miss Dorrack. That young
lady was certainly worth a specialists study
and he felt his specialistic tendencies coming
to the front. Finally she broke the silence b.