The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-04-21

tneEe any one, ucAcu IL Sciis Wuo-
hy chance or intention, had been
present at each place at the time OF
the robbery? Any occasional wait
er, for example, or servant of any
kind =? | could not find that there
had been. Yet, if the thief were not
one of the household, how was it
that stranger should in three sepa
rate instances fix or an establish
ment where the circumstances were
favorable to robbery of valuable
property? In two cases there had
been illness, and a nasty summon
ing of doctors. That led to another
thought Was it possible that some
experienced thief or gang of thieves
had laid themselves cut to track the
broughams of fashionable West End
physicians, on the chance of finding
hall doors left open, and property
somewhat loosely guarded +? bad
not thought of such thing serious
ly before but it seemed now to be
an idea worth following up. Once
more | resumed inquiries. Who
was the doctor summoned in the
case of the Dowager Lady A? [
easily ascertained. 1t was one of
the best known men, at that time,
in London. He and his brougham
would be familiar to every thief who
frequented West-end thoroughfares.
next inquired at Colonel C.'s. To
nv satisfaction, / learned that the
same doctor had attended in this
case
Here" l said to myself, Il begin
10 see daylight Shortly afterward
made a further discovery. The
coachman who drove the famous
physician to Lady A 8 on the night
o. the accident. and to Colonel C.'s
on the night of the ball, had only
been in his employ few weeks and
on the date of the Earl of BIS we'd
ding the man had driven the car
riage of one of the guests at the
breakfast.
The clew / felt was becoming
strong. The thief. | grew convinced
was confederate of the grave. faced
man in spotless black, who drove the
fashionable doctor sfrom one house
| of sickness to another. | resolved
to obtain an interview with the
doctor, and, after explaining my
suspicious, plan some mode OF de-
tecting so consummate a rascal.
Circumstances occurred to make me
resolve to carry out my purpose
without delay.
NY journey took me to one of the
somewhat sombre-looking streets
that run down to the Thames from
| the Chelsea side, between Chelsea
Bridge ana Buttersea Bridge. The
name, Gideon West, NJ. d., Pbysi-
clan and Surgeon" inscribed on a
brass plate, told me when | had
reached my destination. DR.. West, |
was informed, was still out, late
though it was, and the time Of his
coming home was most uncertain.
| was determined, however, not to
return without seeing him, and after
assuring the red-looking servant
that | should certainly await DR..
Vests return, even if | had to pass
the night on the doorstep. | was
shown into the consulting-room,
! -L.ro A ,,-.0J Era ,roc c+ilI b,1rnfpo
on the hearth. Seating myself in
an armchair, with high screen be-
hind me. I settled down to my
vigil, however long it might be.
| had often noticed the house
for who did not feel some interest in
so famous medical man as Gideon
West? Why he had chosen such 8
house | did not learn until after
ward but | knew it was an old
fashioned. rambling sort of place
with a room built on here at ons
time. and there at another time
windows had been blocked up a
one place, and windows had been LEI
1 in at another in fact, it was a house
that seemed to defy stranger Il
explain upon what rule, or whaf
want of rule, it had been so con.
structed.
i Those who first heard of Gideor
4 West as one of the most famous ply
sicians in London, asked in aston
ishment how he could live in such
a ramshackle. looking building. Per,
haps they forget that even famou;
doctors were not born famous
Gideon West. when he entered or
his professional career, was anything
| but famous. ard be was as poor a;
he well could be. Father and moth.
er were dead, brothers and sister;
/ be bad none. An almost forgotten
godmother had, to his surprise, lefi
him the old house at Chelsea. This
: was about the time he received his
diploma. Thereupon Gideon West
married, for love, a girl without {
penny, settled himself in his new
possession, had the brass plate af
| fixed to the door, and awaited tht
patients who were to prove his skill
and make his fortune. 1t was {
weary waiting; but the young bride
had unlimited trust in her husband
and Gideon West never for a mo
ment lost faith in himself.
i Slowly, very slowly, a small prac
tice grew upon his hands bnt tbs
struggle that only braced Gideon
West for the battle of life proved toe
terrible for the frail young wife
! But there was no complaining, No
repining, no word to tell of doubt
much less despair, and Gideon West
oattled on. He knew, as though il
had already come, that he should at
last prevail. He had measured hi;
own strength, and felt that be could
trust it. But-and it was that but
alone which troubled him-suppose
he should have to wait years and
years-suppose, as those years went
by, he should see the color pale on
the face he loved the brightness
fade from the eyes he delighted to
gaze into-suppose his long years O
waiting were marked in the lines on
his wife's young face-suppose " hen
the golden gates of fortune flew
open, he should find it was-toC
late
How long l sat dreaming in Dr.
Vests room I know not. but it i:
n 4 Z L