The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1910-04-30

anxious to consult you, DIR. Halifax"
he said, but that you have, refused to
see her except in consultation with
me. Now, l beg of you not to consider
me in the matter at all. l take an in
terest in her, poor girl, and will be
only too glad to get your opinion of
her case. There is no doubt, however,
as to the nature of her aflment The
lower limbs are paralyzed; she is in
capable of using them.
did you ef anime her arefully
when she cameSon board?' asked
q went into the case, certainly" re-
piled Curwen; but if you mean that
l took every step to complete the dag
nosis of the patients condition, | did
not consider it necessary.
We'll, will see her, as she wishes
for my opinion / said. DO you hap
pen to have an electric battery on
board?"
Yes, a small one, but it will be big
enough for your purpose, replied Cur
wen.
Leaving Curwen, I strolled along
the deck to where Miss Sorensen was
seated in her chair / told her that,
in obedience to her wish I was willing
to make an examination of her case,
DR.. CurWen having kindly consented
to the arrangement. She begged me
to see her on the following morning,
stating that she was suffering and
anxious to get relief as soon as posi-
BILE. Somehow her appearance did not
accord with her declaration, and
could not refrain from commenting on
the fact.
IF l don't look i'll just now, it is be-
cause l am excited" she reioined. 81
am pleased at the thought"
She broke off abruptly Is Sister
Hagar on deck?" she asked.
Il do not see her" l replied.
But cookbook carefully. Dr. Hall
fax fear that woman!"
There was unquestionable terror in
the words. Miss Sorensen laid her
hand on mine-it trembled. Suddenly
a sharp voice, almost in our ears, star
tied us both.
Miss sorenseqs Islnust take you to
bed now. said 1 urse - ..-...s-e
Declining eoIdly my ofEer of assist
ance, she lifted Miss surensen up bod.
lily in her strong arms and conveyed
her within the cabin. During the night
l could not help bordering over the
odd case of my new patient. In some
ways she repelled me almost as much
as she attracted me.
Immediately after. breakfast on the
following morning I obtained Cur
Wen's electric battery and took it to
Miss Sorensen's cabin. Sister Hagar
met me at the door, took the battery
from me and laid it on table near
the patient She then, to my surprise,
withdrew, closing the door behind her.
Miss Sorensen, who appeared to be
extremely nervous, spoke in trembling
| tones.
Pray get your examination over as
quickly as you can" she said.
I looked fixedly at my patient, who
| changed color under my gaze. An
idea occurred to me and, pushing the
| battery aside, l walked to the foot of
Miss Sorensen's bed and addressed
| her quietly.
x believe it is totally unnecessary
for me to proceed with this examina-
| tion,'' I said you are not paralyzed,
Miss Sorensen, and are simply main
tanning this masquerade for some rea-
| son of your own" For moment she
! gazed at me with wildly dilated eyes,
while her breath came and went in
short gasps. Suddenly she sprang
lightly from her couch and stood fac
ing me.
You have guessed the TRUTH she
said, but how, how could you know"
in the first place / said, 'tPy sus-
picions were arot ed YESTERDAY morn
ing when l heard noise as of glass
being broken in your cabin, followed
by the sound of footsteps, although
you were alone at the time and sup
posed to be incapable OF moving"
Sister Hagar said that you knew, -
exclaimed Miss Sorensen, but hoped
that she was wrong.
How could she possibly tell?" !
queried. I met her on the stairs,
coming to the cabin. ] certainly said
nothing; how was it possible for her
to read my thoughts? z"
TT was quite possible She saw the
knowledge in your eyes-she is an aw,
full woman-I dread her-her knowl.
| edge is terrible!'
sit down and compose yourself
said sternly. TT is bad for a person
of your Historically nervous tempera
ment to excite yourself in this way. Il
you dislike Sister Hagar why do you
retain her as your nurse? And what
can be your motive for going through
this extraordinary act of deception
81 may be in perfect health she
repeated with a shudder, but / an
in bitter misery of mind, I can no,
explain further; I am in Sister Ha
CARS power, she knows you have