Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-07-23
The DoCTOR's STORY.
BY ALEC CREAM.

You must know, (said my friend
Harry, that in the course of my many
wanderings about the world chanced
once to meet an Englishman by the
name of Rushton. He was doctor by
profession, but, like myself, being quite
well off, did not have as much practice
as he might have otherwise command
ed, for he was talented fellow, and
one who had studied medicine with
much zeal. Now, DIR. Rushton, some
two years since, arrived in this city, and
/ Immediately called upon him, and
offered him our hospitalities. He was
staying at one of our principel hotels.
To this place I bent my steps, and
while awaiting in the Office the Doctors
appearance in answer to my card, which
-sInuseo niyseIf, as I frequentiy 90 un-
der such circumstances, by looking
about and scanning the features OF
those around me. TA--e were only
ss~- saarsons present, plle. individuals
as are to be met w1tl---=Ans an tha
halls of our hotels; and l did not find
anything particularly interesting to en-
gage my attention until my eyes
CHANGED to alight upon man whom /
had not at first perceived. / was i'm
mediately struck by his peculiar ap-
pearance He was tall, thin
Frenchman, dressed in rather a
shabby cloak, and wearing upon
his head one of those impudent-looking
military fatigue caps which were so
common at that time in this country
But it was not his costume that attract
ed my notice so much as his face, which
was particularly repulsive, and not in
the least degree heightened in beauty
by pair of coal-black eyes, ever rest
lessly turning from one object to an
other, as if suspecting every one they
MS chin Il" opsefvet a"1fai1f 1dfaif1f red Scar scar.
which he had evidently attempted to
hide by allowing all his beard to grow
out. Unfortunately, his stock of that
article was very poor, being thin, strag-
Cling, and of light color, so that q
keen eye like mine readily detected the
curious mark he bore. was thus OBJ
serving this man and cogitating who he
might be, when hand was placed up
on my shoulder, and turning around
beheld my friend, DIR. Rushton. After
the usual salutations, the conversation
turned upon old scenes and old friends,
and, as is generally the case, we had
much to say that interested both; so
that forgot. for the time, the presence
of the man who had attracted so much
of my notice, until, turning to leave, /
perceived the mysterious stranger still
present. He had drawn chair close
to the stove, and was now fast asleep. 1
was about to call my friends attention
to him, when heard the Doctor sudden
ly give slight exclamation as of one in
pain, and looking toward him, became
conscious that he was deadly pale and
was staring fixedly upon the French
man. Before / could speak he whis-
pered hastily, as he clutched my arm
and motioned me to follow:
"Come; for heavens sake, let us get
out of this placew
He was so earnest in what he said
that made no remark, but followed
him mechanically up the stairs to his
room, having entered which he threw
himself into a chair, and drawing a
long breath exclaimed, "Lock the
door!" 1 did as he requested, and then
took seat opposite him.
"What in the name of oil that is SEN
sible does this mean ?" / asked.
"My conduct must appear very strange
to YOU" answered Rushton, smil-
ing, "and as / have acted thus, it is due
to you, my friend, that 1 should give
ON explanation"
He ceased speaking for a moment to
collect his senses, and then continued:
"You noticed that man IN the Office
that Frenchman with light beard?"
@Yes, / did, Doctor. In fact, thought
his appearance was very singular, and
was devoting my attention to him when
you came down stairs"
II had strange adventure once with
,;Nat man. / saved his life-whether
In so rightly or not, I have never since
at up my mind"
4, Rould like to hear an account of
'oss &c tho ofepture, Doctor, for must con-
,oan oSc;A Amy curiosity this evening has
VS avon sbS ed to a high pitch"
w;,i ho tha hear all about il, and you
idad = 10 20 s8rst man that have con-
-h"t i;La a. vo,rs to begin. You are aware
'nA'' i"e 'ouSe Il, Istudied for my pro-