Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1903-12-18

THAT was very clever cure
you effected in my friend Russeps
ease"
THAT was nothing" I replied. II
discovered that my predecessor in the
case had made mistake in his dag
1osis and was treating the patient for
an imaginary disease, thereby agra
waiting the one from which he was real
ay suffering. l simply reversed the
treatment, whereupon the patient, who
as man Of excellent constitution, be-
gan to mend directly"
"You are modest, DOCTOR" he said
laughingly. "However, l have suf1-
cient confidence in your judgment to
ask your advice in a somewhat deli
cate matter. The delicacy lies in the
circumstance that the patient must be
Kept in ignorance of the fact that she
b being observed. 1t is my wife, Mrs.
Springthorpe, to whom l refer. She
has been in failing health for some
time, but from what cause cannot as
certain. Our family physician, DR.. Hol-
lister, in whom place implicit trust,
ronfesses himself entirely at fault and
would be very glad of your opinion,
but Mrs. Springthorpe is firm in her
refusal to see another physician. There
fore, you will have to. conceal the real
object: of your visit under the guise of
friendship"
'Can you give me any idea of the
symptoms?' l asked.
Nothing but wasting away. fad
Ing from day to day, a mysterious sap
ping of the, lions of vitality"
HAS DR.! Npilister formed any opin-
aon?"
HE is inclined to believe 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 impossible"
Il must confess that you have ARGUS
ed my professional curiosity said,
~'and l shall be happy to see Mrs.
Springthorpe and compare notes with
. DR.. HOLSTER"
"Thank you, doctor. AS l have al
ready intimated, it would not do for
yeu to come openly in your profession
al capacity, but shall be entertaining
"A few friends Christmas week at Grav-
ely Grange, my North Carolina coun-
try place-you know we live in very
quiet way, as Mrs. Springthorpe does
mot care for town nfe-and shall be
~verX glad II you would make one Of
sthem.'
Nothing could better fit in with my
own IDEAS" I replied. IF the case pre-
-sents any difficulty, shall be more
likely to arrive at a correct opinion
from random observations"
Every well, then, doctor; we shall ex-
pect you on Monday"
Gravelly Grange was a red brick edi-
flee faced with stone, in the style
known as colonial. Upon my arrival
had scarcely time to change my dress
when a knock came at my door, and
Springthorpe 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. I am afraid If
this mysterious disease is not promptly
checked Mrs. Springthorpe is not long
for this world. must tell you that we
are an exceptionally affectonate and
devoted couple, although I 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 sensibilities more keen. Come; I
will introduce you to Mrs. Spring
thorpe
Zone glance told me as much as 1
should probably ever know of Mrs.
Springthorpe's case. In the emaciated
lines Of her face read phthisis, and
: there was a furtive, hunted look in the
= eyes that as plainly spoke Of mental
, trouble. I saw, too, that she was no
SR4inary person.
= was surprised to detect feeting
expression Of recognition at sight Of
me, but it passed so quickly that
should have thought myself mistaken
had not Springthorpe, also observing
1t, asked:
'Have you two met beforeY
NO." I replied; TAT least not to my
recollection
sue Slu1leu S"ectly duU SAIcAOcU ASA
hand.
''No," she said. 'Dr. Norris and
have never met"
At the sound Of her voice started,
for there was tone which struck my
ear as familiar; but, although I scru-
tinized her countenance, certainly did
Aot remember having seen that face.
'sNow it is your turn to appear sur
prised," said Springthorpe.
''Pardon me-" 1 said, ''but it seems to
me that I have heard Mrs. Spring
thorpe's voice before, though under
what circumstances have not the re-
motest idea.'
'"How singularv' said. Springthorpe.
perhaps DR.. Norris will presently
recollect whose voice it is of which
mine reminds him." Mrs. Springthorpe
said. -,-s,> =
VERY likely" replied. ~ .
During dinner I was unusually dull