Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-09


VIII you come again. he asked rue
fully.
There was something both amusing
and fascinating in this great hulk OF
a man clinging to me 10 save him from
himself. Nevertheless, I knew of no
antedote for love and had no mind TO
waste my time dancing attendance on
a man whose only ailment was his
devotion TO some girl who didn't hap
pen to fancy him. But l was obliged
TO confess TO myself that there was
something as attractive as ludicrous
in it. The fond mother. who had
probably been listening. at this point
came in and said:
"Of course the doctor will come
again. She will not leave you to suf-
fer"
Not IL can be of service"
As l went out the patient followed
me with his handsome. melancholy
eyes. full Of a longing that could have
understood had | been the girl who
was torturing him. But under the
circumstances il was very DuZZling.
Before leaving I questioned his
mother with q view OF determining
If there was any hereditary cause that
would account for his condition. but
she said all her ancestors on both sides
had been healthy in mind and body.
l was at the time much interested in
mental effects upon the body. l was
sure that this young mans unrequited
love had brought him into one OF those
conditions that are so pulling to
physicians. l told his mother this and
advised her to attempt n removal Of
the fundamental cause. When >,she
asked me how to do this ! suggested
throwing her son and some fascinat-
ing woman, other than the one he
loved. together. He would likely trans
fer his love and this would effect a
cure. She promised to think about it,
but seemed to consider it rather an
impracticable expedient.
A week later she called at my office,
evidently very much troubled. she
said her son was no better; indeed,
If there had been any change since
my visit it, was for the worse.
II have thought of your plan, doc
tor she said, 'Of substituting another
love, but l know Of no one who l be-
lieve would be able TO draw my son
away from his infatuation. | named
every girl Of his acquaintance to him,
asking If there was one he would like
to have visit him, and he refused TO
see any Of them. 81 wouldn't mind
seeing my Doctor" he said, "as often
as she will call"
And what did the poor old mother
do, with tears in her eyes, but beg me
to make an attempt to substitute my
self in her sons affections for the
woman he loved. l argued that even
If successful | would only be replac-
ing one cause by similar one. She
declared that instead the infatuation
would be broken and her son would
recover his health.
There was a professional problem in
vOlved-a problem as to the effect Of
mental causes Of physical ailments.
This and the mothers pleadings pre-
vailed. / would cure the young man
lie 1 could, and after his cure-weli,
after that he must get on as best he
could without me.
l Visited him at intervals. l played
no coquettish pranks upon him. l sim
ply attempted to divert his mind by
being as agreeable TO him az l could.
l chose those subjects for chat I'm
him in certain lines Intellectually my
superior. After every call I was re-
warded for my pains by his doting
mother, who assured me that all was
going well and her son was steadily
improving. or course I looked for
ward with misgivings to the day when
my patient would be cured Of one love
10 be tortured by another, but possibly
n third or fourth might so dilute the
poison that the physical effect would
be neutraliZed.
A result occurred that had not cal
culated upon. While was winning my
patients love ne was winning mine.
awakened finally TO the fact that my
pledge TO my aunt must either be
broken or ! would become some doc
tors patient for the same disease OF
which had cured my own.
Nevertheless 7 determined not &c
yield. I would not find a substitute, as
I had recommended 10 him, but I
would cease to see him. But he would
not cease 10 see me. He followed ma
fought him for ten
months. then surrendered.
On the day my husband and I re-
turned from orr wedding trip he gave
me evidence Of the value Of my aunt's
warning.
Sweetheart" he said, "do you know
that the illness which brought us to-
gether was all put mp job on youT
what do you meanF' exclaimed,
opening my eyes,
zone day I heard some sawbones
talking about you and your pledge to
levote yourself TO your profession and
lot 10 marry"
"Wellf"
you know the rest"
As soon as I could get my breath
Missed, ut was a mean, contempt
BILE
A kiss stopped the rest. .-H