Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-28

jacob. "Look upon 1t as business
transaction"
I could not share his philosophical
feeling. and during the rest Of my so.
iourn in Paris l kept constant look
out for my nocturnal visitor, and never
encountered him SO a mystery he re-
NAMED.
III.
Two years afterwards found me IN
partnership with a well-known doctor
at Hampstead. / had passed my exami'
nation in London at the College of Sur
geons and commenced to practice. l
should have preferred Saville Row to
Frornal; but had / resided in that or
thodox medical locality the chances
are that / should not have had chain
of events to relate that forms strange
narrative. 1t was my custom on fine
mornings to 60 for a constitutional up
to Hampstead Heath, where the air
comes uninterruptedly over five coun-
ties. had walked to the group Of
Scotch frs, descending from them to
the turf skirting the ride. The Heath,
golden with blossoming furze, seemed
solitude. l had at that early hour met
no one, and imagined l had it all to my
self, until my eyes CHANGED to fall on a
figure seated on rustic bench in front
of the miniature lake. 1t was that of
a female; her attitude so sugges-
tive sof aflliction that | softly
advanced behind her to within o
short distance in order to observe her.
She sat with dropping head and hands
clasped before her; she wore q gray
dress, with close-itting brown straw
bonnet and veil. Suddenly she arose,
wildly threw up her arms as if appeal
ing TO heaven, then rushed down to-
ward the water. BY instinct rather
than thought OWNED her intention
with bound l 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 your" she said, turn
ing to me a white, wan face. "Let
me go-let me 60, l say-this in
slant !"
"Not until you are more rational.
I Young woman, do you know the crime
you meditated?"
"Suppose l do" said she, defantly,
"what then? ?"
"Only that | shall hold you until
you think better of your intention.
There-it is useless to struggle" flor
she endavored to twist herself from my
grasp. 81 do not intend to release
you until you are calmer."
Finding herself powerless, she began
to cry Historically. This was good
sign. I led her back to the bench,
still keeping 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 ex-
hausted, | waited patiently, and when
she grew calmer relaxed my hold OF
her. She buried her face in her hand
kerchief and wept more quietly.
Now" said |, "tell me your
troubles. Few are so bad but they can
be alleviated, if they cannot be cured. y
She raised her head, turning her wild,
dark eyes on mine. How dare you,
a stranger, speak to me at all? 1t IS
Gbertv-a great llberty.'
at would be so under ordinary cir
cumstances, but ] will not stand by to
see a life thrown away and you are
young enough to nave, in all proba'
bility. many happy days in the future
Who knows what Providence may have
in store for you?"
Providence has deserted me-"
"No; Providence never forsake'
those who do their best and place theil
trust in it. What is your grief t.
prompt such a dreadful act as this? ,
"You have no right to ask"
"This is childish" | said, vexed a
the wrong view she took Of my inter
ference. "If your friends are uukin(
-"
~ have no friends" she inter
rupted.
"Perhaps it is lovers quarrel p
Sir, do you insult me9"
ais it poverty? l asked, glancin!
at her attire, which, though neat, CAV,
no tokens Of it; but we'll know that
poverty, that most terrible one of all, ex
ists-hidden poverty--and frequentl.
appearances are deceitful.
"It is possible that you mean well
, but life is burden to me. | am on
of the most forlorn creatures on tn
, face of the earth, or should not wis
to quit a lovely scene like this,
r elancing Up at the blue sky. Then
| saw she was besutitul--a young, del
, cate, refined profile, relieved cameo
like, by the brown bonnet.
"You are better now. Will 20
promise never again to attempt sci
( destruction--to try and bear your sol
b row."
81 have tried fought against it, b.
: hope is dead; l am powerless an
t friendless."
G "Do not say that; | am willing I
: beiriend you. You distrust me becaus
!. am young man and stranger. Her
It is my card. ] am doctor we'll know
d about this neighborhood. Write, come
or send to me, and will try to ASST:
- you."
: She hung her head evidently m
II words had impressed her, and place
i my card in her passive hand.
u {" Sir" said she, Z" thank you if 20
are sincere"
S "will you give me your promise ?
{ "Yes, | will preserve little longe
{ my miserable, lost life. have no on
I to advise or -" She stopped IS tn
: old church-clock chimed s. 81 mus
: fly; l shall be missed" She starte
5 up, rearrapging her veil with hurried
agitated fingers. "Good morning, sir.
, She sped away up the hill like agazellt
| | following at moderate distance.
white object futtered on the path.
, was her handkerchief. picked it u
and noted II was Of the finest cambria
} with the initials 1T. D." exquisitel
embroidered. On the brow of the bill