It would not be so bad with me, if I did not find so many good souls ready to add fuel to the flames of my fears. One of my most horrible apprehensions, since I have been old enough to think about it, has been of that dreadful disease, cancer. I am sure I shall die of it,--or, if not, some time in life have to endure a frightful operation for its removal. I have had a dull, and sometimes an acute pain in one of my breasts, for some years. I am sure it is a cancer forming, though my husband always ridicules my fears. A few days ago a lady called in to see me. The pain had been troubling me, and I felt nervous and depressed. "You don't look well," said my visitor. "I am not very well," I replied. "Nothing serious, I hope?" "I am afraid there is, Mrs. A--" I looked gloomy, I suppose, for I felt so. "You really alarm me. What can be the matter?" "I don't know that I have ever mentioned it to you, but I have, for a long time, had a pain in my left breast, where I once had a gathering, and in which hard lumps have ever since remained. These have increased in size, of late, and I am now confirmed in my fears that a cancer is forming." "Bless me!" And my visitor lifted both hands and eyes. "What kind of a pain is it?" "A dull, aching pain, with occasional stitches running out from one spot, as if roots were forming." "Just the very kind of pain that Mrs. N--had for some months before the doctors pronounced her affection cancer. You know Mrs. N--?" "Not personally. I have heard of her." "You know she had one of her breasts taken off?" "Had she?" I asked, in a husky voice. I had horrible feelings. "Oh, yes!" My visitor spoke with animation. "She had an operation performed about six months ago. It was dreadful! Poor soul!" My blood fairly curdled; but my visitor did not notice the effect of her words. "How long did the operation last?" I ventured to inquire. "Half an hour." "Half an hour! So long?" "Yes; it was a full half hour from the time the first incision was made until the last little artery was taken up." "Horrible! horrible!" I ejaculated, closing my eyes, and shuddering.