Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-03-12
THE MOOR FOLLOWED PIERRE FROM AFFAIR. "

sionally did, and the appearance Of this
Doctor, powerful owing to his fame and
powerful owing to his wealth, was any
thing but reassuring TO him.
But who is this man 2 he repeated.
"Who is he that comes to Ragusa and
visits Madame Bathory? Did she send
for him as "A physician What can she
and he have IN common
To this there could be no answer.
One thing comforted Toronthal little,
and that was that the visit to Madame
Bathory was not repeated.
The banker had made up his mind,
that cost what it might, he would make
the Doctors acquaintance. The thought
possessed him day and night BY
kind of illusion TO which over-excited
byalns were subject lie fancied that he
would recover his peace of mind if he
could only see Doctor Antekirtt. talk to
him and ascertain the motives of his
arrival at Gravosa And he sought
about for some way of obtaining an inter-
view
And he thought he had found it, and
in tn 5 way. For many years, Madame
Toronthal had suffered from languor
which the Ragusan doctors were power
less 10 overcome In spite of all their
advice. in spite Of all the attentions of
her daughter. Madame Toronthal WAS
no. quite bedridden, but she was Wis
IDLY wasting away. Was her complaint
due to mental causes? Perhaps, but no
one had been able to discover It. The
banker alone WAS aware that his wife,
owing 10 her knowledge of his past life,
had conceived an invincible disgust and
az existence which filled her with hor-
ror Whatever might be the cause Of
Mdame Toronthals state OF health,
winch had puzzled the doctors of the
town. seemed TO afford the banker the
opportunity he desired for entering into
communication with the owner of the
Say rena and he wrote n letter and
sent IL of TO the schooner 10y amessenger.
he would be glad, he said, to have
the advice Of physician of such
undoubted distinction
Then apologiZing for the inconvenience
il would occasion 10 one living in such
rctiremeut. he begged Doctor Antekirtt
40 appoint time when lie could
expect him at his house in the Stra-
done.
When the Doctor received this letter in
the morning, he looked first at the sig
nature, and then not a muscle of his face
moved, he read the letter through to
the last hnc. and yet nothing showed
the thoughts it suggested.
What reply should he give? Should
he take advantage Of the opportunity TO
visit Toron halls house, and become
acquainted with his a.uiiy But to
eric. &c house even in the character of
II physician, would that not embarrass
hla uture action 2
The Doctor hesitated not moment
He answered by a very short note,
which was handed to the bankers SER
want. All it said was
" Doctor Antekirtt regrets that he is
unable TO attend Madame Toronthal.
He does not practice in Europe
When the banker received this laconic
reply he crumpled it in his hand in his
vexation. 1t was evident that the Doc
tor would have nothing to do with him.
1t was transparent refusal indicative of
settled plan.
hen, said he to himself, "if he
does not practice in Europe why did he
90 TO Madame Bathory-lf it was in the
character OF physician he went to her
What was he doing there2 What is
there between them r
The uncertainty worried Toronthal
exceedingly. His life had become n
burden 10 him since the Doctor had
appeared at Gravosa, and woud continue
TO he so until the Savarena had sailed
He said not n word to his wife or
daughter about his futile letter He
kept his anxiety to himself. But he did
not give up watching the Doctors move
ments and kept himself informed of all
his proceedings at Gravosa and Rag
usa.
The very next day came q new and
equally serious alarm.
Pierre Bathory had returned disap-
pointed TO cara. He had not been able
to accept the position that had been
offered to him-the management Of
important smelling works in Here
goyina
the terms would not suit me. -
That was all he said TO his mother.
Madame Bathory did not think it worth
while to ask him why the terms were
unacceptable look sufficed her Then
she handed him a letter that had arrived
during his absence.
This Was the letter in which Doctor
A. ekirtt asked Pierre Bathory to
visit him on board the Savarena to dis
cuss proposal he was in position to
make to him.
Pierre Bathory handed the letter to his
mother. The doctors offer was no sur
Prise TO her.
" / was expecting that, she said.
" You expected this'' asked the
young man in astonishment
~ Pierre! Doctor Antekirtt came
TO see me while you were away"
g. Do you know who this man is then
that everybody is talking about at
Ragusa p
M hftt naofnr A ,,ta1-..tt -. .,....-