The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1901-12-06
Ask== = 3 CASE OF
~ S2l RHEUMATISM N
I CARRIE LAY Or.
By
CARRIE

and finally fell to the ground. The
widow cried out in alarm, and when
men came IN the run the stricken law
yer was borne into her house and put
to bed.
1t was supposed until The doctor
came that it vas case of heart trou-
Bile, but he found no symptoms. Then
the patient feebly explained that it was
inflammatory rheumatism and that he
had felt it coming on for days. If the
doctor had never heard of rheumatism
knocking a nan down with a crowbar
on the street, he wasn't ass enough to
say so. The lawyer was able to pay a
doctors bill. and the doctor was there
to a one. If there was anything
queer and mysterious about the case,
he had only to keep quiet and charge
it in the bill. Thus the, news went
forth that Lawyer Braxton had a bad
attack of infiammatory rheumtism and
that as ~he'couldn't be moved for weeks
Mrs. Mason would be his nurse. A few
people spoke of the trouble it would
give her, but most of them said it was
a romantic incident that must lead to a
happy marriage.
lnfammatory rheumatism is a bad
thing. A doctor should call on a pa
tient once a day at least, and if he
calls twice nothing can be said except
in his praise. In this case the doctor
didn't hesitate to call. He spoke of the
danger to the heart, and he changed
medicines, gave directions to the wild
ow about diet and selected a male as
sistant. The lawyers scheme worked
that is, the widow spoke words of
sympathy and hope, smoothed his fe-
vered brow and with her own hands
prepared the gruels and drinks. The
patient was duly grateful, and he got
hold of the smoothing hand as often
and held on to it as long as he could.
Eventually he couldn't go to sleep UNI
less he was holding that dear hand. It
was a matter of two weeks before the
doctor decided that the hour of peril
had passed, and as the patient sat bols-
tered up in Bed he decided that the
game was in his hands. All he had tt,
do was to slowly get better and ask the
widow to lay her hand in his for life.
He took another three days, and then
one evening after he had been read to
for an hour he lovingly said:
Viola, | feel that | must speak to
you tonight"
Wasn't the cruel right?" she asked
in reply.
This is not a question Of cruel, but
of gratitude, affection and love, Viola"
please don't get eXcited.'
Il was never more calm"
But | think you are excited, and
you may have a relapse. Here, take
my hand, and while you hold it | will
tell you something to soothe you and
make you go to sleep Mr.. Dayton was
here last night"
He was?" gasped the patient.
Yes, for two hours when you we're
asleep. He asked about you and ex-
pressed his sympathy"
But don't want his sympathy"
But you must accept it for my sake.
| have done my best, haven't 70"
you are an angel" he exclaimed as
he patted her hand.
mot quite, l guess. though Mr.. Day.
ton says SO too"
But what business has he got talk
ing such bosh to your"
Can you hear some good news and
not get excited over it?"
TRY me-"
Sure it won't send the rheumatism
to your heart? I don't want you to
die, you know, Mr.. Dayton is going to
ask you to be his best man"
"B-b-est what?' stammered the sick.
man as his hair began 10 curl
why, his best man at our wedding.
He proposed last night, and | accepted
him, and we are to be married in about
six weeks
That night at midnight the rheuma-
tism lawyer a rose and dressed and left
the house. and the next day it was said
that he had gone to the springs for his
ailment.