University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1910-09-07
A STRANGE


He was a young physician. old
enough to have Outgrown the student
overconfidence and cynicism, still
young enough to be enthusiastic. He
loved study for its own sake, but he
did his charity work" with an atti-
tude OF human sympathy that made
the poor love him. This was partly
due to his natural kindness of heart,
but more to the fact that he had
learned much through suffering. In
early youth he had loved a girl in his
own country village, and she, follow
ing him to the city to learn stenog.
raphy, had slipped out of his sight and
knowledge entirely. The sad thought
that this would not have happened
out for the quarrel born of his nery-
Gus impatience was with Doctor Hud-
son always. For the sake of Marie.
whom his loving, troubled fancy pic
tured always as i'll or in trouble. he
was kind to all unfortunates. espe-
c1ally II they belonged TO her sex.
He made specially OF eye and ear
maladies, and presently he had elm
&c at the great infrmary where
streams OF unhappy sufferers flowed
through daily. Every time he treated
pair OF afflicted eyes he sent I'D a
Silent prayer for Marie, whose pretty
orb:, when last ne had seen them
clearly had shown the effects of over.
work, and who had hereditary dispos:-
tloh toward eye troubles. The poor
patients gained, however, by the gen.
tie manner that had grown out OF his
own self-condemnation for that need
less bust OF wrath.
One day, turning from particularly
SAD case, he was met by another Two
women entered, one middle aged. In
cultured, kindly, leading the other, a
slender girl evidently quite blind.
The blind girl, seated in the proper
chair, removed the thick veil that coy.
cred her face, and lo,-thin, delicate.
poorly clad, plapably in the depths OF
poverty, Marie was disclosed. Profes.
sional reserve and impassiyity were
proudly justified of their child In that
moment. The doctors hands and voice
both shook little. but his manner
was quite calm as he requested Marie's
companion and the other physician
present to leave him for a moment
alone with the patient, in whom he
had discerned an OLD friend.
Marie, hearing his voice, trembled
more than he and would have declined
the interview had she realized the sir
uation sufficiently. But before her
senses really were awake the door mad
closed on the retreating people. her
lovers arms were around her. and she
she who had vowed undying pride
and ccldness was sobbing against his
breast
The story of her hard work and of
the gradually failing eyesight, of the
Kind, ignorant woman in whose house
she had lodged latterly. of the visit
to the intirmary in the hope of re.
moved chance toward independence.
came later. There was no time for IL
in that moment. for Doctor Hudson.
"hen It was borne in upon him that
his colleague no longer could be kent
waiting, acted with his customary
speed and decision.
Il feel sure this case is not hone.
less" Marie heard him saying, but
we Will not treat her here, Stanley.
VIII you send for a carriage, please
and Will YOU" cordially addressing
good, surprised Mrs. Murphy, go with
Miss Drew to the hospital l have
chosen9 This" forestalling Marie's
trlid remonstrance, lis my affianced
wife, doctor, and my sister will take
charge of her from this moment
Shall We call the next cftse?"
And the next case, grim old ma
lingerer, little knew to what he owed
tie unexpected forfearance that sent
him unreproved aawy.