The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-01-23
CHAPTER XXI.

Vain were Vixen's efforts to console
and cheer. A blight had fallen upon
her mothers mind and spirits-a
blight that had crept slowly on. un-
heede1 by her husband-till one morn
ing the local practitioner gentleman
who had lived all his life among his
patients, and Knew them so well exter-
nalsy that he might fairly be supposed
to have a minute acquaintance with
their internal organism-ineormed Cap
tain Carmichael that he feared there
was something wrong with his wife's
heart. and that he thought it would be
well to get the highest opinion.
The captain, startled out of his
habitual self-command, looked I'D from
his desk with an ashy oountenance.
DO you mean that Mrs Carmichael
has heart disease-something organ
tcally wrong?"
{''Unhappily. / fear that It is SO.
have been for some time aware that
lon, her feeble circulation, several indi-
cations have pointed to that con-
clusion. This morning / have made a
thorough examination, and find mis-
chief, decided mischief"
That means she may die at any mo-
ment-suddenly, without an infants
warning?"
There would always be that fear.
Or she might sink gradually from want
of vital power. There is a sad de-
ficiency of power. hardly ever knew
any one remain so long in so low a
state"
you have been attending her, on
and on, ever since our marriage. You
must have seen her sinking Why
have you not warned me before?~
ct seemed hardly necessary. You
must have perceived the change your
self You must have noticed her want
of appetite, her distaste for exsrtion
of any kind, her increasing feeble
ness"
II am not a doctor"
Nay; but these are things that
speak plainly to every eye-to the eye
OF affection most of all"
I'VE are slow to perceive the alera-
tion In any one We see daily anu hour
ly. You should have drawn my ptten-
ton to my wife's health. 1t is unfair,
it is horrible, to let this blow come
upon me unawares."
gf the captain had appeared IN
different hitherto. there was no doubt
Of the intensity of his. feeling just now.
He had started up from his chair, and
walked backward and forward. strong
ly agitated.
Shall we have another opinion ?"
asked DR.. Martin
Certainly. The highest In the
land"
DIR. Lorrimer, of Harley street, is
the most famous man for heart dis
case"
I'll telegraph to him Immediately,
said the captain
Poor fellow, he must be very fond
of her." unused the surgeon, rs he rode
of to his next call "And yet should
have thought she must be rather a tire
some kind of woman to live with. Her
income dies with her. suppose. That
makes difference"
The specialist from Harley street ar
rived at the Abbey House on the tol-
lowing afternoon. He made his ex-
animation and gave his opinion. which
was very much the same as DR.. Mar
tins, but clothed in more scientific
language
This poor lady's heart has been
wearing out for the last twenty ye2ys. y
he told the local SURGEON. but she
seems, from your account, TO have
been using it rather worse for the last
year or 50. Do you know If she has
any particular occasion for worry"
Her only daughter has net got on
very well with the second husband,
believe" said DR.. Martin. THAT may
have worried her.
Naturally. Small domestic anxfeties
of that kind are among the most po-
tent causes of heart disease" And
then DR.. Lorrimer gave his instruc-
tons about treatment. He had not
the faint EST hope of saving the patient,
but he gave her the full benefit OF his
science
What does the London do':tor say of
me, Conrad?" asked Mrs. Carmichael,
when her husband went to her present
ly, with his countenance composed and
cheerful He tried me dreadiully with
his stethescope. Does he think me
very i'll? Is there anything wrong
with my lungs?"
NO, love. 1t is case Of weakness
and lansuor. You must make up your