Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1885-12-13


would not insist on her being present dur
ING the interview with her lover, and OF
course. az it was entirely in accordance
with nv intention that she should not be
present, | acccded TO her wish.
IL was arranged that should arrive at
her apartment before Mr.. Sinclair was
expected, and should at once break the
matter to him. had two or three hours at
INV disposal before the meeting was TO take
place, and these occupied In making in
auiries in regard to my patients intended
husband. went down to Wall street
and made the round of the Offices Of my
friends who held forth in that moneyed
center, but not one of them had ever heard
Of Mr.. Lawrence Sinclair. knew, there
fore, that had a man to deal with who
had practlced at least one deception-a
continued deception at that--and the fact
strengthened me in the conviction that
I should find out everything important
from the interview, even II IL did not
bear directly on the original object that |
had had In view.
At O'Clock rang the bell Of the door
of the house that Miss Willard had told
me was her residence. She hadn't told
me which floor she and her mother occu-
pied, so | was obliged to inquire of a
rather slatternly girl who answered my
summons. She looked at me In astonish-
ment long enough to cause me, with some
degree of Impotence, to repeat my ques-
ton, and then to my surprise, replied that
no lady of the name of Willard lived in
the house.
"a widow" | explained, "with one
daughter"
"There's widow lady" chow | hate
that expression) "with her daughter liy-
ing on the fourth floor, but her name
amt Willard nor nothing like It. It's
Pickett"
/ put a half q dollar into her hand.
"Show me up TO the ROOM" l said.
"There may be mistake about the
name"
The money made her quick in her move
ments, and before | had assembled one
flight she was at the top of the house
waiting for me.
"That is the door" she said, pointing
toward the front Of the house as painting
with the exertion of the ascent joined
her. "You've only got to knock and Mrs.
Picket VI open quick enough. She don't
get much work out OF her daughter,
cause you see she's sick half the time and
there's something queer about her, be-
sides"
"Something queer about her?" | said
interrogatively GLOW Is that"
eyes, she is queer. Got all kinds of odd
fancies. guess she has fits She's home
now and so you can see for yourself. But
her name amt willard"
| might have obtained more informa-
ton from my garrulous guide but | con-
cluded to settle the matter of identity by
going to the fountain head; so | knocked
at the door indicated.
1t was opened Mt once and woman
who ut once perceived was lady stood
before me.
"Mrs. Wilard?u inquired with a bow.
"No, sir, my name is Pickett"
"But that is certainly Miss willard" /
rejoincd, for saw my patient sitting at
the window engaged in some kind of
needlework.
"No,n with a smile az she spoke.
"That is my daughter Julia"
The young lady turned towards the
door and saw her full face. 1t was inn
possible for me to be mistaken, unless /
had suddenly lost my mind, for she was
certainly the woman who had consulted
me that morning and who had described
herself as Mary Willard.
took step forward aud addressed
her; "Surely you are Miss Willard,
whom saw this morning in my consult
Ing room 2"
"You are mistaken" she replied, de-
murely. "My name is Julia Pickett, and
| don't think ever saw you in my life"
"Well," exclaimed, "thls is certainly
remarkable. You rely came to con-
suit me this morning in regard to singu-
lar tendency you had to repeat certain
words and to see them written and to
hear them spoken. Do you not remem-
Der telling me how you were attacked at
Nine. Cliteau's and"
"Mme Cliteau's!" she said, while her
face expressed her establishment. 81
work at Nine. Cliteau's, but | have had
no attack of any kind, nor have | any
visions or other authorizations"
"And you are not engaged to be mar
ried to Mr.. Lawrence Sinclair"
al do not know any such person. AS
to any engagement of the kind you men
ton, permit me to say"
"Tbat ia none of my business. ~ inter.
runtcd. "That would he true il Won had
not this morning told me all the partlcu-