The Argosy — page 322: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

In the Past. 303 fever, and for several weeks he lay tossing in delirium and hovering between life and death. ‘The doctors shook their heads and looked grave. It was evident, they said, that their patient had been over- burdened with mental distress for some considerable time. He was. at an age, too, when men of fine constitution, who have lived too freely in their youth, apparently with impunity, frequently collapse with terrible suddenness. Nature demands her revenge at last, and the forfeit must be paid. ‘They found that their patient’s heart was weak, and that his lungs were none too sound; and Mrs. Dewar was gently told to be prepared for the worst. Under these circumstances Frank, of course, spent the greater portion of his time at home. Huis brother was travelling with his wife abroad, and, his present address being unknown, it was impossible to summon him. It was to Frank alone that Mrs. Dewar could turn, in this terrible crisis, for sympathy, help and advice. She nursed her husband in- cessantly, untiringly, and with unspeakable patience and tenderness. A. true woman’s nature 1s very beautiful. In an hour of suffering she will forget twenty years of unkindness. Frank was for sometime troubled in his mind as to whether he should mention to his mother the scene in the graveyard and the discoveries it had led to; but Carson, whom he consulted, decided for him. ‘Say nothing,” was his advice, ‘‘ Remember that the secret is not your own.” “When Mr. Dewar at last awoke to consciousness, his weakness was pitiable to behold, and there were still no hopes of his recovery. But the family constitution, although not robust, was remarkably wiry, and to the surprise of all Mr. Dewar by slow and almost imper- ceptible degrees began to mend; but it was only too apparent that he could never recover his former health and strength—that he would remain an invalid for the rest of his days. “Your constitution must be marvellous, Dewar,” remarked the family doctor, standing one day at his bedside. “I don’t know another man who could have come through that tussle as you have. It was the brain I feared most. You have been making too severe calls upon it—asking it to carry too much. A heavy weight upon it, eh? Have you been carrying it alone?” The invalid nodded weakly. ‘Then, my friend, you’ve been acting the fool,” van the shrewd old doctor, bluntly, ‘“‘and it has nearly cost you your life. Such burdens must be shared; then they grow lighter, and perhaps dis- appear altogether. You need not look far for one to confide in. Do you know who has been mainly instrumental in pulling you through this business? Your wife, sir, who has nursed you day and night, and whose tender care, under Providence, has won you back to life. Now take this advice, which is the best I have ever given you, and which has the additional advantage of being gratis: No matter what CORINELHO© An