Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-11-10
An Imaginary
= Illness
By HAZEL SMITH
Observation-Disclosures.


AS 10 her devoted but unfortunate
husband, whatever his opinion he
fully realized that she was making
home life about as wretched and uii-
inviting as it could well be.
What had started well and healthy
Mrs. Roberts on the downward road
to despair and dissolution, was the
visit to the town Of a quack. This
irresponsible individual scattered
pamphlet describing his nostrums and
dwelling gavely upon the dangers OF
"wasting away" Just at that time
Mrs. Roberts had lost ten pounds. 1t
was warm weather that had reduced
her flesh. and when she began to wor-
nv over her fancied ailments she lost
ten more.
Young Or Allen was called IN. At
the outset ne told his patient that
there was nothing in the world the
natter with her.
IF Lucy Day was only married of, ~
she was wont 60 say luglbrlously Il
would rest more easily in my grave
from sense of duty done"
Dear Lucyl the saving grace of the
situation She was pretty as a pic
ture. and loved company and pleasure
Us well as any live healthy Miss of
eighteen. She felt great gratitude.
however. towards the aunt who had
taken care Of her since She had been
left an orphan. She had learned 60
take most of The household work on
her own young willing shoulders when
her aunt was well When her fam
cied ailments came upon her there
were added The duties of patient,
untir.ng nurse.
Lucy therefore had little time TO
think Of beaux or parties. As to love,
her practical life hanished romance.
Il was true she had flushed and her
heart beat a rine fdster when. i'm as
sistine Dr. Allcn to prepare a bandaee
for her aunt. their hands met and he
gave her a kindly smile. Later lie
had invited her to local entertain
ment
81 dare not leave my aunt, Or. Al
len she said plainly. "Only mike
her we'll. and it would be great
pleasure 10 accompany YOU
one day Or Allen met John Rob
ertS on the street lie had not called
on his patient for several days. and
be naturally asked her husband how
his wife was getting along.
Poorly doctor, very poorly re-
piled John gloomily. Now she insists
She IL losing The use Of her limbs.'
"Inroed, how is that:' questioned
the doctor.
"Fel over a chair and famed her
foot"
A speculative look came. into the
Doctors face. He smiled slightly and
his eyes frightened
Somehow we have got to get your
wife's mind away from her hobby"
said the doctor. The bruised foot viii
do IT,"
Or. Allen arrived ut the Roberts
home that night TO find the invalid
occupying her customary couch down
stairs The doctor finally got 20 the
point Of inspecting the injured foot
The grave way his face drew down
Mt once attracted his patients atten-
ton. She became interested as he
pronounced the mystic words pedal
DC obstruction Of The oblongaiar" then
alarmed as ne said seriously:
"Ths is vital case. Mrs Roberts
Your foot must receive the most care
full treatment"
Inside OF two days Mrs. Roberts had
wandering aches and pains. The doc
tor nursed her fears. lie limited at a
possible operation.
Doctor Allen isn't It q little cruel
To keep mp this farce" demonstrated
the ecntle-hearted Lucy one day.
"Whatl When I am satisfied that
it viii lead to your accepting that in
vltation OF mine?' smiled the doctor.
"Why, my dear little friend, your aunt
is eating anything and everything To
countewct Che toxic influence of that
oblongata' isn't She? That's all she
needed good solid nourishment"
One day the doctor placed metal
lie strip i'm the handage around hls
patients foot When lie took it out
the next morning he dropped It into
some liquid. II Kissed and sizzled rs
he intended. Some more scientific
hocus pocus. Then he washed Off the
coloring and said the toxin was all
ont Of his patients system.
you are well woman--get
weighed" ne advised.
When Mrs Roberts tipped the
scales at 1G5 pounds. showing her loss
reeained and five pounds to the good,
she screamed in joyful Mysteries. Then
she laughed. danced. and-no more
wasting away
Dr. Allen made call-not prOfes.
sional this time-on his patient next
day.
Mrs. Roberts," he said, you used
To worry good deal because Lucy
wasn't married Off, do you remem.
berg
"Why-yes," she admitted, wonder.
ing what was coming next.
"Wcll. ] want 10 take her off your