Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-01-23

I'VE
! he did, however, he found himself lying
ha]f-stripped In bed covered with bruises
and wounds. At first he could not COM
prehend how he came there. The shock
OF his fall had driven all the events of
the night out Of his head. He lay
for time wondering at his position and
| trying to remem Der what had happened,
but in vain. At length through the hazi-
ness which still obscured his vision, he
saw the face of DR.. Shelton bending over
him. The sight Of it brought back every
thing to his mind. He gazed Oh the man
with loathing. and then, turning his eyes
away, he thought with agony of his lost
wife and the children she had disgraeed.
DR.. SHELTON interrupted his thoughts.
How do you feel DOW. Mr.. Gambler
he said, gently. Il am very sorry for
what has occurred. Can I do anything
for vou?"
you scoundreI ~ exclaimed John, pas
sionstely. How dare you come here?
How dare you show your treacherous face
here?"
Now, now, that's really too bad,' said
the doctor. soothin ely, II may have been
too hasty with you, but you we're more to
blame than I. But we III not talk of that
now. Here. take this; it will revive you.
You're not 50 much injured as you think.
It's more the shock you had than any
thing else that's troubling you"
'Shock, indeedl' cried John, glazing at
the doctor. ''Shock, indeed" The doc
tor, however, took no notice, but tried
once again to persuade the outraged hus-
band to sip the draught. He pushed it
rudely away.
''Take your Internal medicine away fro m
me, :" he shouted. 'Do you want to poison
me? Where's my wife?''
She'll be here in minute" answered
the doctor. "Don's trouble yourself about
her?'
Il don't intend to-" answered John
iercely. "You can have her altogether,
for all care"
"Don't talk that way, man; you'll burt
her feelings"
''She has thought a great deal about my
feelings, hasn't she Oh, Mary, Mary, :"
he then moaned, half unconscious appar-
eAtly of the DOCTORS presence.
"Poor fellow! your brains wandering"
said the doctor, in kindly tone. "Do
take some of this; it will do you world
of good.''
"Take your poison away, I tell you!"
shouted John. ''Are you not satisfied
with one crime? Are you not content with
robbing me of my happiness, but also want
to have my life?"
upon my soul YOU II provoke uae," ex.
claimed DR.. Shelton. angrily. You re
the most unreasonable man ever met.
l hear man wandering at midnight
through my house, naturally attack him,
and because, when he's knocked down, he
proves to be an acquaintance turned gen.
man-burglar, he thinks he's entitled to
insult me. Why, man, what kind of treat
ment do you expect when you become a
regular house-breaker ?'
Become a house breaker !" repeated
John, gazing at DR.. SHELTON in bewilder-
ment. Your house! This is my house,
isn't it? 1t is No. 4, Montmorency Ter
race"
mo, it's my house; it No. II, Mont
morency Terrace
John looked dazed and uncomfort able
He reflected moment.
eft must be No. A." he said. I emem.
Der I counted it. 1t is the fourth house
from the end of the terrace.'
"Ah yes, "replied DR.. Shelton, smiling
"but from the wrong end"
John remained silent for some time. At
length the doctor said to him: "Mrs. Gam,
BILE will be, Pm afraid. very much annoyed
and upset at your adventure. But sup
pose must go and tell her. It is, how
ever, doubly unfortunate, as she took
advantage of your absence to ask her
mother over, and she is now at your house.
But there, it can't be helped. l will run
and bring them both here"
mo, no, DOCTOR" replied John: very
humbly. "You needn't trouble. If you
don't object, I'll stop here for the rest of
the night.