The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-03-07

terry he remained.
Two years afterwards found me in partner
ship with a well-known doctor at Hamp.
stead. | had passed my examination In
London at the College of Surgeons, and com.
menced practice. l should have preferred
Savile Row TO Frognal nut had | resided In
that orthodox medical locality, the chances
are should not have had chain OF events
TO relate that form a strange narrative. II
was my custom on fine mornings to 60 for
constitutional up to Hampstead Heath,
where the air comes upinterruptedly over
five counties. had walked to the group of
Scotch frs, descending from them to the turf
skirting the Ride. The Heath, golden, with
blossomipg furte, seemed a solitude. had
at that early hour met no one, and imagined
had IL all to myself, until my eyes CHANGED
to fall on figure seated on a rustic bench in
front of the miniature lake. 1t was that Of a
female, her attitude so suggestive of aflic.
ton that softly advanced behind her TO
within short distance in order to observe
her. She sat with dropping head and
hands clasped before her she wore gray
dress, with close-ftting brow straw bonnet
and veil. Suddenly she arose, wildly threw
up her arms as II appealing to Heaven, then
rushed down toward the water. BY instinct
rather than thought OWNED her inten-
ton; with bound I caught her with
strong grasp just as she reached the waters
edge. She struggled violently to free herself,
but pinned her arms with both my hands.
"How dare you 20 she said, turning to me
a white, wan face. "Let me go--let me 60,
say-this instanti"
"Not until you are more rational. 70 ung
Il l,eA kl,, ort,
tated 2"
"suppose do" said she defantly, "what
thenY ~
"Only that shall hold you until you
think better of your intention. There-it is
useless TO struggle" (for she endeavored to
twist herself from my grasp.) 81 do not in
tend to release you until your are calmer."
Finding herself powerless, she began to
cry Historically. This was good sign. I
led her back to the bench, still keeping a
firm hold of her. She sobbed violently, her
tears dropping on my hands, and felt she
was trembling from head TO foot. Knowing
that after this excitement she would become
exhausted, l waited patiently, and when she
grew calmer relaxed my hold of her. She
buried her face in her handkerchief and
wept more quietly.
"Now," said I, "tell me your troubles.
they cannot be cured"
She raised her head, turning her wild
dark eyes on mine. "ITow dare you, a
stranger, speak to me at all 1t is really
liberty-a great liberty ~
at would be SO under ordinary circum.
stances but will not stand by to gee life
thrown away, and you are young enough to
have in all probability many happy days in
the future. Who knows what Providence
may have in store for you %
providence has deserted me-"
"No Providence never forsakes those
who do their best and place their trust in it.
What Is your grief to prompt such dread
full act as this :"
"You have no right to ask"
"This is childish" l said, vexed at the
wrong view she took Of my interference. "If
your friends are unkind-"
81 have no friends" she interrupted
"Perhaps it is a lovers quarrel p
"Sir, do you insult mei"
"Is it poverty ?" asked, glancing at her
attire, which, though neat, gave no tokens
of it; but we'll knew that poverty, that
most terrible one of all, exists-hidden
poverty-and frequently appearances are
deceitful.
''It is possible that you mean well, but
| life is burden to me. l am one of the most
forlorn creatures on the face of the earth, or
should not wish to quit lovely scene like
this" glancing up at the blue sky. Then
saw she was beautiful-a young, delicate, re-.
fined profile, relieved cameo-like by the
brown bonnet.
"You are better now. viii you promise
never again to attempt self-destruution-to
try and bear your sorrow ~
81 have tried-fought against it, but hope
Il, I orJ fr;a
"Do not say that; fam willing to befriend
you. You distrust me because am young
man and a stranger. Here is my card. am
doctor, well known about this neighbor-
hood. Write, come, or send to me, and |
will try to assist you"
She hung her head evidently my words
had impressed her, and placed my card in
her passive hand.
"sir," said she, 81 thank you If you are
sincere
"Will you give me your promise -
eyes, will preserve little longer my
miserable, lost life. have no one to advise
Or" She stopped as the old church
clock chimed s. 81 must fy-I shall be
missed !" She started up, rearranging her
veil with hurried, agitated fingers. "Good-
morning, SIR" She sped away up the hill
like gazelle, following at moderate
path it was her handkerchief. l picked it
up, aud noted it was of the finest cambria,
with the initials SGT. D." exquisitely en-
broidered. On the brow of the hill she
turned and looked back. waved the hand
kerchief. Mistaking my object, she made a
dart forward, and her slight sylph like form
disappeared.
"You was in the nick of time, sir, to pre-.
vent that young party from chuckipg herself
away. l was watching her myself, but
wasn't SO near as you," said policeman OF
the rs" division, emerging from the furze
bushes. "I've seen her here twice before in
early morning"
"Do you know her ?" asked.
ono, sir; don't think she lives here
abouts, and don't fancy she's lady"
Meditatively, "She hasn't got 10 locket,
no feather"
| My opinion was the reverse.
"Keep lookout near the pool, then, my
man; You understand" said /, slipping
half a crown into his hand.
"Thank you, sir, I'll keep my weather
eye open. A mods as good as wink to a
blind horse.'
For days after this adventure that girls
pathetic voice rang in my sars-her beauti.
full dark eyes seemed ever before me. When
slept dreamed she had thrown herself
into the pool and was powerless to save hel
life.
II CHANGED at this time that had to call
at my surgical instrument makers in the
Strand. A block Of vehicles having occurred
in that crowded thoroughfare, waited at a
crossing, and chancing to glance into cab i'm
mediately in front of me, what did l see but
the brown bonnet, and through its gauzs veil
the exquisite profile longed again to be.
hold A gentleman was seated beside her.
Glancing at him, feeling possessed me tina,
he also was not unfamiliar to me; but II
was not until the cab began to move that
identified him. 1t was my nocturnal visitor
of Rue Ste. Marguerite He, of all men in
the world, to be that poor girls companion
Without a moments hesitation determined
to follow them. A crawling hanson wal
passing, (never again shall they be anaths-
matted by me.) | sprang into it, telling
the driver to follow the four-wheeler in ad,
vance of him. Its destination proved to bt
Fenchuroh-street Station. Avoiding obser
vation, watched my Partisan acquaintance
take tickets for 0ngar. theu took one
also. Following them to the platform,
noted that the young lady assembled the
stairs YEARLY, looking neither right mol
left. The man, on the contrary, seemed al