Year: 1872

family


"You must excuse my not rising, Dr.
Caldwell, for am fearful that am con-
filmed invalid; but ! do hope that you will
never forget how grateful am for all your
kindness to papa; and really, DOCTOR l am
quite certain that neverhave said a prayer
since his first letter to me from---Hos-
pital, without asking God to bless and keep
you. My poor life would be very desolate
without papa"


A scene worthy the brush of Claude
This beautiful girl, with her large, mourn
full, dark eyes and transparent complexion
drapery white and flowing; long, brown,
ripply hair, thrown negligently and altisti-
cally about the pillow-the general at her
back, tall and handsome with an expression
of the deepest solicitude on his glorious
face. The setting sun flooded the west,
and throwing heavy light upon this sweet
picture, made me, accustomed as was to
scenes of every description, almost cry out
with sympathy and appreciation.


You are looking at the sunset, doctor.


What could be more beautiful? If l
were not so tired, should try to catch some
of those tints," said the invalid, softly


1t was difficult to descend to symptoms,
after so exalted mental condition; but,
beckoning her father away, l made few
preparatory remarks, informing her that
wished to understand something of her
case, hoping that might be of service to
her.


She answered all my questions readily,
and without reserve, occasionally volun-
teering some little information. l could
not find the least glimmer of light. I sat
holding the almost transparent hand and
counting the feeble pulse, when l noticed
a shiver-almost chill-convulset the droop-
ing figure for moment, and then, with q
quick, nervous compression of the beauti-
full lips, felt that she willed herself into
composure. Looking up, saw Mrs. Waite,
standing at the back of the lounge.


why, doctor, how long have you been
here? gave express orders to be awaken
ed at the moment of your arrival. Why
was not this attended to, Grace ?''


"You must inquire of the person with
whom you left the command" was GIace's
reply; and realized that with these two
women it was "guerreG OUtrance," and a
battle which could only end their everlast-
ting separation.


"Have you arrived at anything like di-
agnosis yet, doctor ?" was the next insinu-
ating question of the madame's.


81 think have faint idea of tho diff
ficulty, Mrs. Waite" 't


"Do you indeed, doctor? Well, that is
fiattering," and her sarcasm was as keen
as the eyes which seemed reading my soul.
GA faint professional idea may be prefera-
BILE to no idea at all; but really, / must
confess that, for my own part, an is of
more account to me than the thousandth
part of unit-any time and under any
circumstances" and the lady glanced
around TO see if the general had heard her
remarks "And how is my husband, this
afternoon ?" continued she, advancing to
the lolling chair and pressing a kiss on his
forehead


"Don't mind her," whispered Grace,
hastily; "she has quarreled off every ply
sician have ever had. Do not you desert
me-"


After writing prescription and prom
ising to call again the next day, I left
those dark, mounful eyes following me all
way out. The general went with me to the
carriage, and so vexed was with the singu-
lar difficulty of the daughter, and the in
sulting language Of the wife, that fear
did not give the encouragement to .he poor
man which he so needed and expected
"There is something wrong there, some
thing dreadfully amiss; but what is it ? and
how shall proceed to find out ?" l asked
myself a hundred times on my way home.
Several visits followed, but with no more
success. The young lady seemed desirous
of giving me all the information in her
power, but still there was no Improvement
1t was impossible, however, to obtain an
interview with my patient unless the step
mother was present. Never after tho first
meeting was she caught from her post.
called morning, noon and night, but it was
useless. Her vigilance was untiring, and
wondering at her strange pertinacity,
determined to adopt some means to find
the object of my professional attentions
alone. To make such request, would be
to procure my instant dismissal; for the gem
eral, noble, manly and straightforward in
every other respect, was nevertheless under
the influence and dominion Of his wife, and
he seemed to look upon her as piece of