The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-09-09
Pomfret if his sister supposed me to be re

itmight be necessary intimated the posi-
bility of your remaining with us for lit
tie time. Will it be possible?"
~ think not l have patients in tow
. who require my daily attendance"
but l will have you taken in ever,
day hy the carriage" he replied eagerly
The servant had brought in tea ant
Miss Pomfret had been giving him SOM
directions; but now she glanced TOWARD
dangerously, thought, as she announced
tea.
We seated ourselves at the table. Mis-.
Pomfret drank her tea composedly; hel
brother ordered iced sherbet and partooE
of little else.
THE hot weather takes away my taste
and don't think it is good for you tC
"1ou had much better have glass OF
this" and he passed her goblet of the
sherbet.
AS she took it saw that her little white
hand trembled. A moment later he OBJ
served that she did not drink it,
Isn't it sweet enough?" he asked
Then, with merry, winning smile, he
held it to her lips. ITO please mel" he
murmured.
She smiled little, and tasted it; but l
saw that she was trembling very much.
"Good child ~ he said, playfully; then
suddenly he rose from the table and threw
himself into another chair.
Are you ill, Rail-" asked Emma, start
ing to her feet.
"No, but my head aches terribly"
pressing his hands to both sides of his
forehead. Then, seeming to recover him.
self, he added: 81 hope you will excuse
me. | seemed to be losing my senses
If Mr.. Richmond will excuse me for a
moment l will retire to my ROOM"
Let ME accompany you!" exclaimed,
g 1t may be sunstrOke."
forgot that might be revealing my
professional character as / accompanied
him to the chamber and examined his
condition.
Miss Pomfret came in, bent over her
brother and parted the hair upon his
forehead
=" Is he going to be ill?" she asked me-
"No, think not" answered, some
what at a loss for a moment under her
clear eyes.
As she sat there caressing his forehead
he fell into deep Sleep
She closed the window beside the bed
softly, and we went down stairs
Though l had not had fever, it is true
that was not we'll, and did not enter
tain the idea of returning home that
night When Miss Pomfret asked me if
| would enter the library l asked to be
shown my room. Not only was l ex-
hausted in body, but shrank from tete-
a-tete with her; my false position was
embarrassing; and l was not prepared
for my part.
My room was perfect boudoir of lux
ury, and lay awake for long time
watching the moonlight simmer on the
lace curtains. At last it crept up to
picture upon the wall.
! 1t was the portrait of man. I had not
noticed it at all before 1 extinguished my
light. 1t seemed to CLEAN out suddenly
upon the wall as | caught sight of it. I
sprang up on my elbow to look at it.
A remarkably alert, nervous figure of
gentleman, not more than thirty wears
old, with pale, delicate and sweet coun-
tenance. The eyes We're very large and
melancholy; and thought l detected in
them slight wildness of expression
There was something winning and fas-
cinating in the face. 1t was beautifully
painted, and seemed endowed with life.
Its eyes seemed fixed on mine and to gaze
down on me with battling meaning
which thrilled me. As sank back still
felt them watching me.
Still half conscious of the portrait fell
into an uneasy slumber.
| could not have slept long when was
awakened by a slight noise near me. I
half opened, then closed my eyes, for I
saw that some one was looking at me.
1t was a woman. She had long, fair
hair, unbound, and lighted taper in her
hand. thought it was Miss Pomfret.
had no idea what it meant; only felt
that must not stir; that l must counter
felt sleep. 1t must have been for nearly
five minutes that she stood looking at me.
Then she turned softly away, and after
glancing about the room looked up at the
picture on the wall. 1 opened my eyes
and watched her. Her face was too sad
for tears; she sighed heavily, and turned
slowly away. | saw, as she went, that it
was Miss Pomfret. She closed the door
flashed over me as lay. The girls brain
was affected.
could not sleep after that, I was so
excited with my discovery. Her case was
evidently rare one; its symptoms almost
too subtle for discovery, but now had the
clew could soon determine an opinion.
1t was plain that this was what the broth
er limited at-what he feared l remember
with what suspicion she had regarded me
for a moment the previous evening, and
how nervous and anxious she had repeat
edly appeared later. Was she conscious
of her own weakness, then? I wondered
what her motive was in coming to my
room, resolving that if l remained at
South Clyde another night would lock
my door.
| Quite early, and not very much re-
freshed, found my way to the breakfast
room the next morning. Pomfret, in
rich dressin gown, was walking to and
| fro. He greeted me in somewhat sub
dued manner, and then commenced to walk
TO and fro again in an absent and preoc-
cupied manner.
was silent, for felt the importance of
my subject, and unwilling to breach it
| while the servant went in and out, laying
the cloth for breakfast. AS last l said:
"Shall we take q stroll in the garden, Mr..
| POmfret? 2"
He lifted his eyes to mine with such
| look of intense pain that was startled.
"We shall have time for little chat,
shall we not, before breakfasts" l asked
Yes-oh, yes" he answered hur-
riedly.
He seemed so agitated that pitied him.
He OWNED that had made discovery,
dIlu uICttucu tllC 1cVcldllOu VI IL. LUX
his hat in his hand, but did not put it on
we went down the steps; l saw that there
was feverish color upon his cheeks, and
he seemed to court the dewy morning
breeze, which was very fresh and rather
chilled me.
We walked the length of long path
edged with pansies and pinks before the
silence was broken.
II have made discovery" said at
last.
He flashed upon me an inexpressible
look-furtive, defiant, fearful and some
thing more.
II am sorry, very sorry to pain you,"
said, but you probably already antici-
pate what l believe have divined-that
your sisters mind is affected"
He grew very pale; and yet I thought
he breathed easier than he had done
moment before. But he was very much
agitated and sat down upon rustic bench,
crushing his hat with trembling hands.