The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-18
A DIAGNOSIS AND A
REAL "FAITH" CURE


been discussing Christian Science, OF
which she professed herself a firm adj
herent
You imagine you have a PAIN she
debated. 1T isn't really one. anyway,
1 can cure It."
Generally speaking. I have implicit
faith in your capabilities. But this seems
more a question of faculty; and how can
you cure a pain that isn't there-here. l
should say?"
Cicely frowned. please don't try and
be funny or obtuse. What can DO is to
convince you that the pain is only mag
mary. First of ALL she went on mex
orably. where do you think you feel
it?"
1T is a curious sinking sensation" /
commenced: "a sore OF hutter-in the re-
! gion OF the"
Diaphragm"
Certainly not It sounds a most IN
| pleasant word, suggestive OF Little Mary
/ Or
Again she interrupted You are mix
/ ing things up. The diaphragm is a cut
above Little Mary -
! Not long ago Cicely took it into her
/ head that her mission in life was nurs-
/ ing. and for three weeks she was a pro-
/ bationer in London hospital. She would
/ have remained longer, she said, but she
didn't like cleaning CRATES.
My PAIN l proceeded. 'is in the re-
I gion Of the heart It's principal symptom
! is a violent humping. which occurs
I whenever l am in the company Of par
/ ticular person
I'm glad to hear she's particular"
/ she aVerred.
How do you know the person mean
/ Is a she?''
"oh. by dedueuon-and other things
I BY the way" she asked satirlcally, "are
[ you describing the pain or the girl?''
In sense. both. The girl is the cause
/ Of the pain
There you are! Get rid of her and the
pain viii GO.
II might do that" I pondered, while
[ Cicelys brOws began 10 meet in a resent
I full way. but I'm not sure ! want TO.
THE fact is ! proceeded, ''she is de-
liciousiy pretty. her eyes are Ike stars
an her lips"
Never mind her lips" admonished
Cicely.
IF I didn't mind them. should kiss
them" / argued
'An this has nothing to do with your
pain"
Indeed it has. For instance, when
am not with her experience a sort OF
empty sensation
Try some other girl. she suggested.
rather shortly.
81 have tried-several."
Poor thingsW
I did the frowning this time. Why"
asked. Il can assure you they were
quite useless as prophylactics. They
bored me TO distraction"
Nor" beamed Cieely.
Fact" said / solemnly, and waited
let's get back to your pain. Do you
feel il nowT'
Just now I'm in the throesr' I de-
clared.
you don't seem 10 mind-much'
Il don't Curious. isn't itY'
Not az all. The whole things mag
mary. and. Of course, durable. It's only
a question OF treatment"
Skilled, kind treatment is what I
want" l observed pointedly. Nine is a
serious case"
In serious cases I believe in drastic
remedies" observed CiceIy in a superior
tone but first close your eyes and
listen 10 me"
did so. She dropped her voice and
chanted:
There is no such thing as pain
Il rather like oratorios, I said. But
thought
There is no such thing as the girl you
have been talking about" she continued,
Ignoring my interruption
''Oh, Conner / protested. opening my
eyes '1'Il give way about the pain if
you insist on it, but the girl. no; she's
real enough"
VERY well. tn admit her existence"
she amended, but she's quite different
from what you think"
Il don't agree. You see, know her
very well indeed"
shut your eyes again and describe
her"
4 can do it better with them OPEN"
argued.
Cicely's face wore sn expression Of
command.
"Oh, very we'll" I grumbled. and
obeyed her. Let me see. she's rather
short and stunpy, with red hair, an in
significant nose, greenish eyes"
Did you speak, asked
u wouldn't interrupt you for worlds,
was the petulant answer.
Where was / p
An insignificant nose and greenish
y VI q
taster'
The poor thing can't help IL But now
I come TO think of it, I was mixing them
up. That ones married-to a short-slght-
ed German. I fancy
Il can well believe Of" she murmured
The girl who gives me the pain is
quite different She's as pretty as paint"
Paint! You mean"
Like a picture or a piece OF fine porce-
lain. Her coloring is delightful: her hair
a net of gold, like ripe corn with the sun
shining on it.
Then it's probably dyed" cried Cicely
sharply.
well. you ought to know best ven
tured.
Why? My hair is not golden; it's
golden brown"
DO you mind IL open my eyes?' I
asked, and taking silence for consent,
gaZed at her with lengthy satisfaction
Her hair is exactly the same color as
yours l remarked
Then it's not dyed" said Cicely de-
cisiveiy.
"And her eyes" I went on ARE Ike
stars-midnight stars. Dark blue"
Il am sorry to contradict you" said I,
but / am so firmly convinced of the
reality Of my feelings that, although I
know her to be a handful, have already
sounded her father"
What did he say?H she broke in sud
denly,
He said: DO what you like, nv boy.
I've been trying to manage her for nine
teen years, and 1 haven't succeeded
vet"
That's exactly the sort OF thing my
father would say she murmured sus-
pieiously.
Il think she hesitated. that your
case IS worse than thought"