The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-04-09

Duh WHO IL ClllS mbn ne repeated
"Who is he that comes to Ragusa and
visits Madame Bathory? Did she send
for him as physician ? What can she
and he have Ill common"
To this there could be no answer.
One thing comforted Toronthal little,
and that was that the visit to Madame
Bnthory 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 a
kind of illusion to which over-excited
brains were subject he fanced that he
would recover his pence 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 til way For many years, Madame
Toronthal had suffered from n languor'
which the Ragusan doctors We're power
less to overcome. In spite of ali their
advice, in spite of all the attent ons of
her daughter, Madame Toronthal was
not quite bedridden, but she WAS Wis
IDLY wasting away. Was her complaint
due to mental Gauss? Perhaps, but no
one had been able to discover it, The
banker alone was aware that his wife,
owing to her knowledge of his past life,
had conceived an invinclble disgust and
an existence which filled her with hor-
ror. Whatever might be the cause of
Madame Torontha.'s state OF health,
which 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
SavarenH and he wrote Il letter and
sent it of to the schooner by Il messenger.
He won 4 be glad, he aid, Ito have
the advice of physician OF such
undoubtel distinction.
Then apologizing for the Inconvenience
it would occasion to one living in such
retirement, he begged Doctor Antekirtt
"to appoint a 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 muscle OF his face
| moved, he read the letter through to
the last line, and yet nothing showed
the thoughts it suggested
What reply should he give? Should
he take advantage OF the opportunity to
visit Toron hats house, and become
acquainted with his family? But to
! enter the house even i'll the character OF
Il physician, would that not embarrass
| his luture action z"
The Dou;or hesitated not moment.
He answered by 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 Toroilthal.
lie does not practice i'll Europe
When the banker received this aconic
reply he crumpled it in his hand in his
yexation. 1t was evident that the Doc
tor would have nothing TO do with him.
1t was Il transparent refusal indicative Of
settled plan
| And then" said he to hi self, elf
does not practice i'll Europe why did he
go to Madame Bathory-lf it was III the
character of IL physician he Went to her
What was he doing there? What is
there between them 2
The uncertainty worried Toronthal
exceedingly. His life had become a
burden to him since the Doctor had
appeared at Gravosa and Won d continue
to be so until the Savnrena had sailed.
He said not word to his wife or
daughter about his futile letter. He
kept his anxiety to himself But lie did
not give up watching the Doa5ors move
ments and kept himself informed of all
his proceedings at Gravgsa and Rag
uS;l.
The very next day came new and
equally serious alarm.
Pierre Bathory had returned disap-
pointed to lara. He had not been able
to accept the position that had been
offered to him-the management of
important smelling works in Herze-
govina.
1.-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 letter that had arrived
during his absence.
This was the letter in which Doctor
Antekirtt asked Pierre Bathory to
visit him on board the Savarena to dis
cuss proposal he was in u position to
make to him.
Pierre Bathory handed the letter to his
mother. The doctors offer was no sur
prise to her.
II was expecting that" she said.