Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1903-12-20

THAT waS Il very clever cure
you effected i'll my friend Nussers
case
That was nothing" l Replied L
discovered that luy preG~cVssuI Ill the
case Lad u.atie Il mistake III nIs d.
uosis and was treating the l,.,tieiIt for
al imaginary dis ase. thereby asar3-
waiting The one froln which b" V rs real
ly suffering. Simply rev ;=-td tire
trcatiuent, wllereupon the patient. Who
is d AI.!:l of cAct44y..i, cuD,,l,,.,.a44= =tse..
ea:l - mend Directly.
You are modest, doctor, he S;sitl
lal,.lliuGly. "IIoweNer, h&,,.= st.ftf-
cient confidence i'll your ji,ti Init TO
asa your advice i'll Il so..:pN, ls,ft deli
cate l4!;;t;rr. The dellp;IcS lies II lie
eiGeu4..,,"ilcc t!,;,, the p:,;.. II, ..s5.st ne
kept III ignor"Ace OF the iurt t.ttt ~ae
is being Observed. It is my VIE. Mrs.
Sprin@t hoipe. % vehem refer Size
has been il failing health for some
time hat from What cdj.Se cannot as
certain. Cur family phy>ici;in In. iIol-
lister. in whom pace i.ui;..cit tF}1Si
eoilfesseS lii:lseH entirely al t;ttl; aud
would be TrlE Glad Of yo.:r opinion.
bat Mrs. SE1rin@tliorpe is firm III her
refusal to see another physician There.
fore. you VIII have TO conceal the real
object Of your visit under Me s:lise of
friendship"
can you G.vc me AMY idea of the
sympton!S:" | asked.
Nothing but a wasting away a fad
ing from day to day. a mysterious sap
ping of the foundations OF Vitality.
Has Dr.. HOLSTER formed an, o,,in.
ion
He is inclined to belicv" that the
trouble is mental: that she has some
brain disease. or that she has some
thing on her mind the anxiety of
which is killing her. But that of
course. We know to be impoSsbIc.
Il must confess that YOU have arous-
ed my professional curiosity" said
'.and shall he happy to see Mrs
Springtlorpe and compare notes with
DR.. Hollister.'
THANK YOU. doctor. AS | have al.
ready intilnated. il would not do for
you to come openly in Your profession,
al capacity. but | shall be entertaining
a few friends Christmas week ut GRAY
ely Grange. my North Carolina co,ln.
try place-you know we live in :. very
quiet way as Mrs. Springthorp" does
not care for town ife-;nd >,lall he
very glad if you would make one of
them"
Nothing could better fit in with my
own IDEAS" | replied. "lf the case pre-
sents any difficulty, | shall be Here
likely to arrive at a correct opinion
from random observations"
Every WELL then doctor; we shah ex-
pect you on Monday"
Gravelly Grange was red brick edi
fee faced Will, stone in the style
known rs colonial. Upon my arriva!
had scarcely time TO change my dress
when a knock came at my door. and
Sprin@thorpe entered.
Il believe we tacitly agreed not to
discuss the real object of your visit,
but | must express my great anxiety
for my wife's health. | am afraid if
this mysterious disease is not promptly
checked Mrs. Springthorpe is not long
for this world. | must tell you tlsat We
are an exceptionally affrctionate and
devoted couple. although am nearly
twice her age. and the separation would
be cruel blow to me. AS we grow old
er our attachments become stronger or
our scnS:hilities more keen. Come: |
will introduce you to Mrs. Spring
thorpe"
One glance told me as much as !
should probably ever know of Mrs.
Springthorpe's case In the cmaciated
lines of her face read phthisis. and
there was furtive, hunted look in the
eyes that as plainly spoke of mental
trouble. saw. too. that she was no
ordinary person.
was surprised to detect feeting
expression Of recognition at sight OF
me. but it passed 80 quickly that l
should have thought myself mistaken
mad not Springthorpe. also observing
it, asked:
Have you two met beforeT
no" replied; "at least not to my
recollection"
She smiled sweetiy and extended her
hand.
No" she said. "Dr. Norris and !
have never met"
At the sound Of her voice I started.
Tor there was a tone which struck my
ear as familiar: but. although l scru-
unlzed her countenance. l certainly did
not remember having seen that face.
Now it is your turn to appear sur.
prlsed." said Springthorpe.
Pardon me-" said. but it seems to
me that have heard Mrs. Spring
.norpe's voice before. though under
what circumstances I have not the re-
hottest idea"
How singular!' said Springthorpe.
Perhaps DR.. Norris will presently