Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1872-02-28

consciousness which often enables Us TO
aoquit ourselves creditably in word and I
manner, while our thoughts are far away
from time and place, must have belriend-
cd himi for, Notwithstanding that very
grave conflict was going ON in his mind,
no outward token betrayed it. .
Though the hour was barely that of
sunset when the long line of carriages that
had followed Emily Blount's funeral, left
the cemetery gate to return to town, the
SKY was 80 overcast that dusk had alrea-
dy fallen; and when Duncan Ashby aud
his sister arrived at home, it was quite
dark. Dinner had been kept waiting for
them, and to Duncan's satisfaction was
served Immediately. Laura, excusing
herself on the plea of bad headache, re-
tired at once to her own room; aud Mr..
Ashby, pere, though he had already din
ell, complaccntly sat down to keep his son
company. He was rather shocked by the
hasty manner in which Duncan dispatched
the business He ate-for he was hungry
aud needed his dinner-but he ate like a
hungry man who was in a great hurry
and on rising from table surprised Mr..
Ashby by leaving him fer the evening
I lie had an engagement, he said, which
would probably dotain him out late; and
so he would wish his father goodnight be-
fore going. ...
A thin, drizzhng rain had set in half an
hour before, and had been increasing
steadily in violence ever since; and con-
scquently it was through pelting shower
that Duncan made his way to the house Of
DR.. Boyd. Mr.. Blount's family physician.
1t chancod that the doctor, who was d.
over, and kept whatever hours suited his
convenience of the moment, having dined
before going to the funeral, was just Gu
ioying substantial supper. in all the
ease and comfort of dressing-gown and
, slippers. Duncans ring at the door start
led him to the indulgence in one or two
expletives rather more emphatic than re-
, weren't, for he apprehended that it might
/ be'a professional call and he felt irritated
$ at the bare thought of having TO leave his
: comfortable firesidc-to say nothing Of
the whiskey-puch which was then moment
u in process of brewing by his trusty house
keeper-and brave the inclemcnt weather
. without. But, on learning that it was
p visitor instead of CALL he ordered the
t servant TO show the young man in, and
!. rose with the greatest cordiality to wei.
come him. ..
' The first sautations over, Duncan, af
! ter declining supper, as he had just risen
g from dinner, proceeded at once to the
business which had brought him through
:. the ram and the night ........ =.
Doctor" he said, with smile. 'dC
you know a sane man when you see him p
The doctors eyes opened wide in as
!. tonishm2nt.
y "What do you mean ~ he inquired.
q Just put your finger on my pulse, viii
. YOU" said Duncan, extending his wrist
"and look me straight in the eyes. Well
are they the pulse and the eye of health
bodily and mental ?"
= "What do you mean y asked the doc
4 tor again.
=. Il have come to you on an errant
= which | am afraid you will consider s.
d insane that, before telling you what it is
| think it well to take the precautionar,
measure Of convincing you that an
compos mentiS."
We'll say that | am convinced, then
. Go on, said the doctor, whose curiosit,
. was considerably excited.
. FIn word, | doubt if tie young lad,
. who vas buried this afternoon, is dead
y and | have come TO ask you to 90 witt
= me, without loss Of time, and examin
whether my suspicion is correct"
n "What" cried the doctor, as soon a
4 he recovered himself sufficiently to speak
% his breath having been quite taken ava,
- by Duncans astounding assertion AM
y proposal, What !" -
, Duncan repeated, little more a
i length, what he had said before.
,v Good Heavens :" exclaimed the doc
!. tor, ''what has put such an idea into you
{ head ?" saei4..
? "lt is not an idea, but doubt, that
J. entertain--a faint doubt. will say--but
). a dOubt. And it seems to me an impera
I. tive duty to clear it up in time"
"Unquestionablyr" answered the doc
~ tor. ''What are your grounds for thi
- doubt"
Duncan proceeded TO explain. in tech
nical phrase, certain slight appearance
and indications which he had observed
in without at the time attaching much in
ID portance to them--but which gradual