The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1903-12-26

Nou IlNtis, bOCitI, Dt Sulu.
That was very clever cure
you effected in my friend RusseI's
case
THAT was nothing" | replied. "a
discovered that my predecessor in the
case had made Il mistake in his dag
nosls and was treating the patient for
an imaginary disease, thereby agra
waiting the one from which he was real
ly suffering, simply reversed the
treatment whereupon the patient. who
is a man of excellent constitution. be-
gan to mend directly
"You are modest doctor" he said
laughngly. However, | have sutii-
cient confidence in your judgment to
ask your advice in somewhat deli.
cate matter The dclicacy lies in the
circumstance that the patient must be
kept in ignorance of the fact that she
is being observed 1t is my wife, Mrs.
Springthorpe, to whom | refer. She
has been in failing health for some
time. but from what cause | cannot as
certain. our family physician, Dr. liol.
lister, in whom | place implicit trust,
cOnfesscs himself entirely at fault and
would he very glad of your opinion,
but Mrs. Sprlngthorpc 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
symptOmsT | asked.
Nothing but a wasting away. "A fad
ing from day to day, mysterious sap
ping of the foundations of vitality"
HAS DR.. HOLSTER formed any opin
ion?'
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"
81 must confess that you have arous-
ed my professional curiosity" said,
"and | shall be happy to see Mrs,
Springthorpe and compare notes with
DR.. Holister."
"Thank you, doctor. AS | have al
ready intimated, it would not do for
you to come openly in your profession
al capacity, but | shall be entertaining
a few friends Christmas week at GRAY
ely Grange, my North Carolina coun-
try place-you know we live in Il very
quiet way, as Mrs. Springthorpe does
not care for town life-and | shall be
very glad if you would make one Of
them"
Nothing could better fit in with my
own IDEAS" 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 red brick edi-
fee faced with stone, in the style
known as cConial. Upon my arrival |
had scarcely time to chanS" 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. | 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 atfectionate 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 sensibilites more keen. Come; |
will introduce you to Mrs. Spring
thorpe"
One glance told me as much as
should probably ever know of Mrs
Springthorpes case. In the emaciated
lines of her face | read phthisis, and
there was a furtve. hunted look in the
eyes that as plainly spoke of mental
trouble. | saw, too, that she was no
ordinary person.
| was surprised to detect tieeting
expression of recognition at sight of
me, but it passed so quickly that |
should have thought myself mistaken
had not Springthorpe, also observing
it, asked:
'IIave you two met bcfOref"
NO" replied; 'at least not TO my
recollection
She smiled sweetly and extended her
land
NO" she said. OR Norris and
have never met
At the sound Of her voice ! started
for there was a tone which struck my
ear as familiar: but although ! -cru-