Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-11

cal. Circumstances occurred TO max
ne resolve to carry out my purpos'
without delay.
My journey took me to one OF tn
somewhat sombre- looking streets tina
run down TO the Thames from the Chei
sea side, between Chelsea bridge anc
Ba,tersea bridge. The name " Gideon
West, NJ. D., Physician and Surgeon,
inscribed on brass plate told me wher
] had reached my destination. Dr,
West. | was informed, was SUI
out, late though it was; and the
time Of his coming home was mos'
uncertain. | was determined, how
ever, not to return without seeing him
and after assuring the tired-lookiug
servant that / should certainly await
DR.. Vests return, even if had to
spend the night on the doorstep, was
shown into the cOnsulting-room, where
a wood fire was still burning on the
hearth. Seating myself in an arm.
chair. with a high screen behind me, !
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 a medical man as Gideon west
Why be had chosen such house did
not learn until afterward but i knew
il was an old-fashioned, rambling sort
O, Mace. with a room built on here at
one time and there at another time.
Windows had been blocked up at one
place. and windows had been let in at
another. In fact, it was a house that
seemed to defy stranger to explain
upon what rule, or what want of rule,
il had been so constructed.
Those who first heard of Gideon
West as one OF the most famous ply
sicjans in London, asked in astonlsh-
ment how he could live in such ram
shackle.looking building. Perhaps they
they forget that even famous doctors
were not born famous. Gideon West,
when he entered on his professional
career, was anything but famous, and
he was as poor as he well could be.
Father and mother were dead, brothers
and sisters he had none. An almost
forgotten godmother had, to his sur
prise, left him the old house at Chel-
sea. This was about the time he re-
ceived his diploma. Thereupon Gil
deon West married for love girl
without a penny, settled himself in his
rev possession, had the brass plate az
fixed to the door, and awaited the pa
tents, who were to prove his skill and
make his fortune. 1t was a weary
waiting; but the young bride had un-
limited trust in her husband, and
Gideon West never for moment lost
faith in himself. Slowly, very slowly,
small practice grew upon his hands !;
but the struggle that only braced
Gideon West for the battle of life
proved too terrible for the frail
young wife. But there was no COM
planning, no repining, no word
TO tell Of doubt, much less Of
despair, and Gideon West battled
on. He knew, as though it had already
come, that he should at last prevail.
He had measured his 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 bright
ness fade from the eyes he delighted to
gaze into--suppose his long years Of
waiting were marked in the lines on
his wife's young face-suppose when
the golden gates Of fortune flew open
he should find it was-too late
How long ! sat dreaming in DR..
Vests room | know not, but it is GER
tain ! must have fallen asleep before the
cracking embers. When / awoke |
found myself in all but darkness. The
gas had been lowered, and only flick
eriDg glow from the dying fire remained
to cast drear and fantastic shadows on
the ceiling. Many hours must have
passed. / must have been forgotten
when the servants retired to rest, and
DR.. West either had not returned or had
not been made aware Of my presence.
My position was embarrassing. To wake
up in the middle of the night and to
find myself in a strange house was a
new experience. ! CROPPED about the
room and felt for the door by which |
had entered. 1t was locked. Bell Of
any sort | could find none. | tried to
raise my voice, but the death stiffness
and darkness of the room seemed to
stife me. | found the window and
looked out. 1t opened high above
courtyard closed in by walls. Again
tried the door. Then remembered
that it was q sort Of passage
room; that there was door
leading from it to an apartment be-
yond. / managed to find this door,
covered as it was with heavy tapestry
hangiDgs. Feeling very much like
thief, | tried the handle. 1t turned in
my hand and the door yielded noise
lessly. Beyond saw large square
chamber, evidently a bedroom {; but the
bed was unoccupied. 1t was a quaint
and haunted-looking room, with high
oaken skirting and panelled ceiling. A
couple Of candles burned on the Dress
ing-table, and threw faint light over
the dark furniture and the tapestries
that hung against the walls.
Once more | tried to call out, but
my tongue seemed dried up, and my
voice refused to be heard. Presently,
to my relief, l heard human voice. 1t
evidently came from an apartment be-
yond the one into which ! had ventured.
lmpelled, hardly knew how, ] re-
solved to venture further, and as my
footsteps fell noiselessly on the thick
carpet l could hardly believe was
not wandering in dream through the
mysterious chambers Of the dead.
Yet more and more distinctly l heard
the sad low voice that had caught my
ear, and approached stealthily, and |
confess with something like awe, the
door, which, as / perceived, opened
from the bedroom to the chamber
whence the voice proceeded. Here, as
before, q curtain Of antique tapestry
reaching from the ceiling to the floor
concasled the anerture and FRYING call