The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1912-09-27

certainly De lneApeulenL. 10 MINT even
at alarm concerning Cameron might
involve the precipitation OF that finan-
cial disaster he had feared and regard
ing which he had warned me. Indeed,
would not any effort to obtain the
facts desired be likely to arouse sus.
plcion, no matter how delicately
made?
( The more pondered the situation,
sitting there thoughtfully while one
after another the patients who had
preceded me passed into the physl.
clans consultation room, the more beg
carly 1t seemed to me, became my
chances Of success. And when, at
length, my turn came to enter the
presence of my friends friend, was
about persuaded that l should very
soon be making an lgnominious exit,
branded as an impertinently meddling
busybody.
| have always contended that 1t was
DR.. Addlson's severely professional air
which was responsible for my inspi-
ration, for no thought OF such a course
occurred to me, until standing dumbly
hesitant before him, became con-
scious that he was making mental In
ventory of me with view to dag
nosis.
The penetration Of his gaze Inn.
pressed me at once. His steel gray
eyes were like a pair Of conVerging
probes; and they were his dominant
feature. Aside from them his face
was commonplace.
Doctor" said, and the sound of
my voice was a relief to the strained
tension of the moment, 81 learned Of
you through Mr.. Cameron-Mr Rob.
ert Cameron, mutual friend"
/ hoped to see his expression bright
en- at the name, but 1t did not. II
there was any change whatever 1t was
in the reverse direction. After sec
ond's elaboration he asked:
"You wish to consult me regarding
YOURSELF"
On a sudden impulse answered,
Eyes," though had neither ache nor
pain, and, 30 far as could Judge,
was perfectly normal.
II see," he replied. "Am / right
in assuming that your trouble is of
nervous character?"
Heaven knows that In spite of my
fancied normality there had been suf-
ficient reason in the past few weeks
for my nerves to go awTy. / con,
fessed that had been under consid,
cradle mental strain.
Thereupon, having bsde me be seat.
ed, he began to ply me with questions
with view to sympathetic revelation.
| fear, however. that gave him mea-
ger material upon which to base con.
clusion. slept well, my appetite was
excellent. | had observed neither a
numbness nor a supersensitiveness In
my finger tips, nor sensation Of full.
ness at the base Of the brain. |
could not recall any twitching of my
muscles, nor any diminution Of mus
cular power At length, after a brief
pause, he inquired:
'''Will you be good enough to tell me,
Mr.. Clyde, why you think you require
professional attention."
And my inability to answer him, off.
hand. paradoxical as 1t may seem,
eventually supplied me with an an
swer at once truthful and convincing.
Because" ! explained gravely, Il
find that Of late am losing my power
Of mental coordination"
The ardor with which he seized
upon this index Of my supposed NAL
ady was amusing Instantly he grew
obviously and deeply interested.
have since learned that what is known
as confessional insanity a rare con-
dltlon, usually has its inception in this
wise, without essential emotional dis
turbance," II I may quote an author
ity. At the time, l believe he was
suspicious Of developing paresia,
What he thought, however, or what
he did not, is aside from the story. I
know only that his manner changed
abruptly, his object evidently being to
gain my full confidence. Whereupon,
the bars of reserve lowered between
US, ventured to revert to our so-ealled
mutual friend"
"This isn't anything like heri.beri,
Is 1t, doctor% began. My ideas Of
the disease I mentioned were Of the
haziest character. knew, however,
that 1t was common in the Orient, aud
thither would lead him,
-"oh, no. Mr., Clyde" he answered,
'suaVely enough, now. "Beri-beri Ia
merely the eastern name for multiple
neurltis. You haven't a neuritis or
you would know 1t. saw great deal
Of beri-beri In China and on the Malay
peninsula"
do remember to have heard Cam
eron say he contracted 1t In the east?"
l asked, plunging for q connection.
II don't recall that Cameron ever
had It," was his response. And then
his brow grew thoughtful Are you
sure he told you that he had; and that
he was attacked while in-ln Asia?"
/ noted his hesitation over fixing the
place, and wondered. At all events
had arrested his interest. Purposely
1 adopted tone OF uncertainty.
"N-n-no. / can't say definitely, But
I had an impression that" And there
/ paused. When | continued 1t was