Jamestown alert., 1878-12-19

ghbOrings church clock warned me t
takeSmy eparture--indeed, that hal
far exceeded the limits OF an ordinary
professional visit and rose to depart. %
+ "By the way" SAID, turning as l was
on the point of quitting the room, 'can
you by any chance tell me whereabouts
Vulture Court ISL"
"Vulturel Court" replied the man
"Why, this is Vulture Court" > + s.'~
"Indeed~ I said. "And what is your
number2"
HE told me, looking rather surprised
at my questions. -@ 7..z@ au1l anG1
"Excuse me-" I continued, "ifI ask
you what, maybe, you may wish t. con
ceal; but, believe me, I am no idle ques-
toner. I must. ask your name." "
{ "Certainly," he replied, "to one who has
been as kind t., US as you have been, DR..
Herbert, would not refuse it, though I
might to others. My name is Gerald
Connington."
I started; surely that was the name on
the letter--that letter which ! had on my
mind to deliver toi it's owner for so many
days past. l felt must go home i'm
mediatoly and see about it, and shaking
hands with my friends, set off home
ward at once. On opening my desk,
where I had placed the letter, T found
that my memory had not deceived me-
Connington was the name. =.
lit is for them, then--1or my poor
friends. How strangely things turn out!'
I museG. "Perhaps the old man was her
father. In her state, however, she must
not be subjected to a any sudden shock.
I must speak to Connington first, and get
him 20 break the matter to her. 7 hope
the letter may contain something more
than bare farewell. ! must 60 back to
Vulture Court at once" So back start
ed on my mission, ..s~,.. ,...,.
L found Vulture Court in an uproar-
women screaming, children shrieking,
and two men fighting in the midst of a
noisy group, and just as I entered four
stalwart policemen appeared; and began
to disperse the angry crowd.
.-'You'd better not go down there, slr,"
said one to NE; ''it's no place for gentle
man like you, especially at this hour"
30, Pm a doctor, and have patients
there" 1 replied; but for all that, did
not feel conf Portable, and was glad enough
to espy the squalid cue and her brother,
who conveyed me through the excited
crowd in safety. At the door of the
house I met Connington.
"What, back again, doctor! Nothing
wrong, l hope?" he said. ........
mo, nothing. How is your wife? I
i have something Of Importance to tell
you. Where can speak to you alone?'
{ asked "#
30, here" he replied. "Mrs. McTag-
gat lets me sit in her parlor when she is
out; and out she is, fortunately"
And he showed Inc into a miserable
little room, containing four-legged
table and FIVE or six chairs, digniied by
the owner with the name Of parlor.
Tell me, Mr.. Connington, was your
wife's name Hoilingsworth?" I asked, as
we seated ourselves before smouldering
fire. .#@
He started. - .. -.
''Yes!' he said, eagerly. ...,.
''Then you have not seen the papers
lately?" I said. '." "
"The papers, he replied; lis it likely,
doctor2" with 8 sad gesture. ~a n.
'vThen you do not know that Mr.. John
Hollingsworth, Of the late firm of Hol-
lingsworth s. Co., of Fleet Street, is dead
that he died, indeed, under very pain
ful circumstances?"
dead, is he? Well, heaven forgive
him! He has been my bitter, remorse-
less Toe, DR.. Herbert. He knew our state
of poverty and want-knew that we were
well nigh starving. My poor wife, there,
went to him not month ago, forced her
way into his presenoe-for he had sternly
re used to see Der since her marriage
with me, a poor artist--and on her knees
begged his forgiveness and help! He re-
fused both, cursed her to her face, pray
ing Heaven that the child that should be
born us might prove as undutiful to her
as she had been to him. The excitement
and grief was too much for my darling,
and She was taken i'll that night; and you
know the rest, doctor" y va g. s.4f a
And he groaned and hid his lace in his
hands. ..,, 80. .
"Mr. Hollingsworth left q packet in my
care for your wife, said, aftera pause.
. "In your charge then you knew him?''
cried Connington, in surprise. 30 i.
81 met Mr. Hollingsworth but once"
answered, '''and but a few moments be-
fore his death, which was terrible one, ,
"How so?" he asked, anxiouslv. y
''He died by his own hand" I.repljed
in a low voice. Al So .g-,t .. ss,.,. ,@'
"Horrible!' said Counington, in toaes
Of deem distress" " uRnt tell me- a)1p'
And told him of MY first and only
interview with his father-1n-law, and its
tragical ending. e.2-s 2a&@>sT = '''
This packet, trust, may contain
something to your advantage" said
producing the letter.
"Not here,' be said, hastily reading
his wife's name on the cover. Let me 90
~