Thou Shalt Not

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Edgar Thurston imagines he is suffering from what is usually termed a neglected cough and resorts to some of the numerous rostrums supposed to relieve such disorder, but without effect. Edgar is engaged to Miss Laura Edmunds, who loves him as devotedly as he does her. Their future seems so promising until Edgar, growing worse, submits to a physical examination which results in the discovery that he has consumption in an advanced stage. The doctor, upon learning of his betrothal, exclaims, "Marry this woman to possibly transmit your weakness to others, thou shalt not!" This intelligence almost breaks Edgar's heart, but upon the doctor's urgent persuasion he writes, "Dear Laura, My physician tells me I have consumption in an advanced stage, and that we must not marry. He is right. Though I love you, good-bye. Edgar." However, the impulsive-hearted girl refuses to break their engagement. Such is human optimism; or is it egotism? We think it probably for things to occur to others that never could occur to us. We are always immune. This may be Fate's cunning, but Providence always gives us warning whether we need it or not. Laura even goes so far as to threaten to hurl herself to death off the edge of a cliff if Edgar insists on following what she deems the silly advice of the doctor. The physician realizes that moral suasion is in vain; that more decided means must be adopted. Even Edgar is disposed to treat the doctor's arguments with polite indifference, until he is shown a pitiful illustration of what might follow his marriage, in the person of a little child afflicted with the dread disease. He is now willing to do anything to avert a deed that to him now seems criminal, hence the doctor plans. He feels he must destroy Laura's faith in Edgar, and to do this he engages an actress to play the part of the "other woman," dispatching the valet to give the girl an inkling of his master's double life. The plan succeeds, and though it almost broke their hearts, it surely prevented an aftermath of woe. Here is a subject that is bound to attract widespread attention from the fact that it is a powerful argument on the principles of the medical profession, the Health Board of every community and the worthy Tuberculosis Committee.