The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1875-09-02
The POrnfret skeleton.

AO Il WILLY CD OAClCIUls
When / fist saw South CLYDE
pronounced it the prettiest village
had ever seen. 1t was certainly pic
tnresque, quiet, and lovely. / was
driving ont of the town with q
friend.
There is June picture" said /.
"rhere is POmfret's house." re-
marked my friend.
(Which one >"
"fhe large one on the hill yOfider,
with terraces and fountains"
"And who is POmfret ." I asked.
''He was the great man OF the place.
Within year he has died ABROAD"
"And who occupies that fine place
now?"
"I do not know
The next day / was shut up In nv
consulting room in the town, and
South Clyde seemed like some beau
tifui stereOscOpic view instead of a
reality. had seen It under its love-
liest auspices I was fated TO see it
under Others.
Ny life was dragging very wearily
just then; but one day something
remarkable happened to me, calling
me out of myself.
One morning handsome barouche
stopped at my door, the footmau
leaping TO the ground, and appearing
next moment before me with a note.
He merely left the note in my hand
and departed. turned my attention
to the note. It was as follows:
DEAR DOCTOR: / am in great need
OF your professional skill. Please
come to my house this evening, at 5
O'Clock; will send the carriage for
you. This being a matter recurring
great tact and caution, tlke the cue
from me, when we meet, aud appear
70 have known me in London, when
you studied in the hospitxis there.
You perhaps comprehend already
what the skeleton is that abides in
my house. Use your eyes and pro-
ceed with caution, and will enlight-
en- you further at my first Opportu
nifty.
RALPH POMFRET, of South Clyde.
A singular enough epistle, but l had
occasionally received more incor-
herent ones from anxious friends.
was seldom called out OF town. l
reeollect the beautiful Pomfret place,
at South Clyde, and I apprehended
that thither l was to go. But / was
at loss what more to anticipate.
At 5, precisely, the Pomiret car
raige arrived. The cOachman sbut
me in, and we whirled swiftly away.
1 remember that the dim evening sky
was full Of gold, and enjoyed the
luxury OF the ride extremely.
The horses springing hOOfs struck a
little bridge, and then we passed a
gate, held open by man, and | di-
vined that we had entered the Pom
fret house.
At length we emerged hear the
house, which was certainly very
handsome. L had only time for q
rapid survey of the premises, when'a
gentleman came hurriedly toward the
carriage as descended, and grasped
my hand
"Doctor, you are very welcome.
feared something would happen tn
prevent your coming. was anxious
that 1t should be you who visited us
now"
"Mr. Pomfret ?n I said, shaking bis
hand, which still held mine nervous
ly.
'Yes, l am the resident herewith
my sister," in a low tone.
We were walking toward the house.
My companion was young man OF
about twenty-four. very handsome,
with a pale face, of remarkable sweet
ness.
owe must go in dlrectIy,D he said.
81 cannot stop to talk with You here.
My sister may be observing us from g
window. Understand, you are not a
physician, but MIR. Richmond. Here
we are; be quite at your ease now.n
de had preceded me into the hall,
and, flirging open a door, ushered me
into quiet, elegant room, where S
lady sat at work. She was petite and
graceful, with very sweet and gra.
clOus manner. She dropped heI
Work, and came forward a little
anxi0usly, 1 thought
"My sister. Miss Pomfret, Mr.
Richmond. Emma, please order tes
Immediately.
"Yes, she answered, and passed
quietly from the room.
"You have seen her now" said Mr.
Pomfnst, Immediately that she wal
gone. "What is your first impres.
sion ?"
'tShe is very lovely young lady,
and appears quits WE'LL" I answered
q little bewildered.
observe her closely" he whisper
ed, for her light step was on the
threshold again.
She was followed by a servant, whit
placed light in the globe of aIsbastel
swinging from the ceiling, and re
tired,
"rea will be served Immediately,
Raj. We have had a very warm day
Mr.. Riebmond,' she said, erossin.
the room TO draw curtain near me
"The July heat has been Oppressive
i'm the town." / said, "but Won car
know little OF the severe weathel
here"
SIS the fever still prevalent in the
town ?n she asked.
81 believe there have been no new
cases within few days. 1 stammer
ed, and TO change the subject, rOs,
/ and changed the pictures, and so LEI
the conversation to other matters
but l was far from being at ease in
false position, and took advantage O
the hrst opportunity to ask ME
Pomfret IL his sister supposed me to b
/ recovering from a fever. leai
"Yes," he answered, sand as
thought it might be necessary, l in
timated the possibility OF your re
1 manning with US for little time
VIII it be possible ?"
"I think not. / have patients il
town who require my daily attend
: ance.n
''But will have you taken in ever
day by the carriage" he replies
eagerly.
The servant had brought In tea, AM
Miss Pomfret had been giving bin
some directions; but now she glance,
2 toward us nervOusly, / thought, q
she announced tea.
We seated ourselves at the table
Miss Pomfret drank her tea compos
Z edly her brother ordered iced shel
bet, and partook Of little else.
"The bot weather takes away M
taste, and don't think it Is good 70
You to drink that hot tea, Emma,
said PomfFet. "YOn had much bette
Z have a glass OF this" and he passe
her a goblet of the sllarhet