Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-07-02


the girls confidence. The family had
been a week at Mentone, and Hettie
was already much better.
! Leah" she said, gently, one day,
taking her hand, you know | have
always been your best friend. love
you with a great affection, and | am
more than distressed about you. You
are not happy; will you tell me Why"
Leah bent her head and kissed the
kindly hand that rested in her own.
Il am as happy as it is my nature
to be" she replied, gently.
Tell me, Leah, is all well with you
and Sir Basil?"
"All Is WELL" she answered. "Dear
duchess, | have nothing to tell If
had. it would be told to you, my best
friend"
Her Grace Of Rosedene was not
satisfied.
IF there is nothing to cause you
any happiness then | am convinced
that you are altogether out of health.
No girl could look as you do without
pletely changed. Every one is asking
me what Is wrong with you"
After that Leah took sudden
resolution.
There was in Mentone a celebrated
English physician, DR.. Evan Griftths
--skilful, prosperous man, very popu-
lar among the invalids and the Eng
fish at Mentone. He lived with his
mother in pretty little villa. Popu.
lar as he was, he had never married.
1t was said that he had no time for
wooing.
One evening, as DR.. Griffiths sat
alone in his study, the servant an
nounced a young lady. She had sent
no card and had given no name, but
had look very i'll.
At first the doctor felt annoyed.
He had no liking for mysterious
patients, and felt it hard that he
could not have one cigar in peace
over the Lancet.
SHOW the lady in here" he said,
impatiently.
But his Impotence died away when
a tall, closely yelled woman came in
and stood silently before him.
She did not speak until the servant
had closed the door, then she raised
her veil so that he could see her face
and he was startled by its delicacy
and wonderful beauty.
Il know that am calling at an UNI
usual time" she said. Il thank you
much for seeing me. | have a qucs-
ton to ask-a question Of life or
death. viii you answer it,"
IF can" said the doctor Does
it concern yourself?"
Yes" she replied.
And then he felt that death and
not life would be the answer, If he
could judge from her face.
CHAPTER LlV.
DR. Gritflths placed a chair for his
beautiful young patient, and. standing
by the table, waited until she spoke.
do people, she said abruptly,
"ever die of broken hearth"
Il have never known a case" an
swered the doctor, though have
heard and read of such a thing"
Some months since" she said
looking at him with calm, grave eyes,
II was as strong as any one could
wish to be. had splendid health and
a perfect constitution. Now have
hardly strength to live, and every one
thinks am in danger"
There must be reason for 1t,
the doctor, quietly.
There Is a reason, which | will tell
YOU, and want you to Judge If 1t will
XIII me. have had within the last
Two months trouble--a terrible
Lrouble-one that have had to bury
In the depths of my heart. could
not speak of 1t, or hint 1t, or place
In any living creature con-
corning 1t, have shut my secret in
my heart, and it has been preying
upon it, 1t has eaten my heart away.
The constant repression the desperate
efforts | have made to seem as usual.
have been too much for me; and now
| feel sure that | have some affection
Of the heart which will soon put an
end to my life
He Logan to understand something
Of the case.
"Do you want to live? he asked
briefly
NO | want to die" she answered.
Then came string of questions.
all which she answered Candidly
enough, The doctor knit his hrows,
and was silent for some time: then he
listened to the action of the heart
and grew Graver still.
Il think" he said, that you have
always had great tendency to heart
disease; and now, am sorry TO say,
1t is confirmed case"
Her face frightened, and she MUIR
INJURED few words to herself which
he did not hear
II wish" she said gravely TO hear
the plain truth, 1t will not frishten
me. prefer death to life, 7"
1T Is a hard truth which | have to
tell YOU" he answered, gently.
II am ready to hear it," she said.