Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-11


fellow" he said
haven't 1 told you that we can't posi-
bly, know what is best? In such cases
as yours nobody knows-physicians hard
ly more than the laity Our knowledge
of abnormal psychology is as yet only ir
it's infancy. Such disturbances as yours
have been recorded, from time to time
they're by no means rare-but the medi-
cal profession hasn't as yet discovered
their rationale. much less any effective
treatment. OF course. If this experiment
fails I shall try hypnotic suggestion"
II was thinking mainly of her. the
patient interrupted. wadding the pillow
under his head. IF. as you say, this
girl really cares"
For that very reason won't she exert
a stronger appeal If she greets you abso-
lutely unconscious of your condition
That is my whole theory. Heaven knows
it's a vague enough one. but 1t seems to
me that you'll have the greater shock.
so to speak,
There's no doubt about the shock to
her, at least-it seems a bit heartless-
"Oh. she'll forgive that for the sake
of the effect 1 hope it may produce on
you
But she will probably have. in the
end. to know
POSSIBLY. L leaNe tDdt 10 you. lou
see. II isn't often that. in such cases. the
physician has such an intelligent patient.
You know, now, about as much Of your
mental condition as l do. You have. In a
way. to effect your own cure. Queer,
isn't it," He smiled blandly, stroking his
brown beard.
His patient returned the smile sardon-
ically. I'm afraid 1t doesn't amuse me
half much as 1t does you, doctor. /
always was bit afraid of the dark
''Wa11 I'll q little of
sunlight
What does she look like?"
you'll see. That's part of the shock. y
The doctor INDUCED in a complacent
chuckle that shook the heavy watchchain
depending from his abdomen.
And you say I'm not to tell Mrs. Stell-
ing?"
Not unless this experiment succeeds
II don't understand why not
"Of course you don't. If you did. you'd
not need me here any longer
We'll. let's proceed with the comedy"
The young man lay back and composed
himself comfortably. His face was that
of poet intellectual. almost dreamy.
though kindled at times into vivid emo
ton. His lips. under the close-cropped
mustache, were fine and sensitive-the
upper one straight. almost ascetic. the
lower one fuller and more sensuous. The
frmness of his jaw was accentuated in
his nicked chin. Over his longish black.
crisp hair white bandage gave him a
picturesque. rakish guise which his lively
eyes .asdark twinkling. we'll abetted.
The doctor drew on his gloves. smiled
again. and waved farewell The nurse.
who had been standing immobile, ap-
preached. drew the covers neatly about
her patient, smoothed his pillow, and, set
ting a glass Of water covered with q card
upon the table. went out, leaving the door
a1ar.
The young man waited for a few min
utes. his eyes upon the door. 1t slowly
opened. AT his first glimpse of his visitor
his expression changed to one Of sur
prised delight.
She was young beautiful. high bred, ex-
quisite In taste and manner. She wore a
street costume of dark blue with furs; her
veil was pushed up, revealing an oval,
olive face. and wave of smoky dark fine
hair. Her lucent frank gray eyes-as
clear as lakes-gazed eagerly. and her
lips We're slightly parted. showing line
of small white teeth. Her profile. broken
into charming variations from the classic,
promised rare individuality. Her per-
feet skin was milk-white over the tenn
piles and chin. blush-rose on her cheeks,
and there sprayed up from her throat,
indicated just enough to make her love-
~. fine network of blue veins.
In an instant she was on her knees be-
side the bed~ her hand in his, her cool.
soft lips to his mouth.
oh Harry" she cried. II have longed
for you sol couldn't stand 1t no. to come
but didn't dare. until you sent for me. =
she hid her head on his breast a moment,
then raised IL. her eyes dewy with tears,
to kiss him again slowly, softly, with in
finite tenderness. her hand in his hair.
Her voice was full. round. a little deep.
connecting depth of passion and height of
spiritual emotion.
For full half minute he looked deeply
into her eyes without speaking. They
grew sober. surprised, alarmed. Then he
slowly shook his head.
You are a very pretty woman" he
said at last, land II is delightful to have
YOU with me. But it isn't quite fair, and