The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1889-11-30

q the invalid bedside. she introduced
the topic herself.
Even during the short period which
had preceded Dolly's relapse into nm
consciousness. the appearance OF her
medical attendant had attracted her
favorable attention. Beyond the ex-
preston OF kindness which suggested
ready sympathy. she had noticed q
look OF power and determination which
promised assistance ms well as pity.
The conversation which she had over
heard confirmed her original impress
sion. and while reminding her of the
actual nature of her awful secret.
pointed out suitable repository for it.
doctor. she said, do you know Sir
Robert Ballantyne?"
"Yes," was the answer, givon after
pause.
II know him, too" continued Dolly
excitedly. ga heartless. wicked man. I
can see his face now; low, dark FORE
head; cruel, cunning eyes"
20, 20, Ballantyne is not as bad as
that"
II know more than you think. He
and Jack want to poison me, that Jack
may marry again"
Pray compose yourself, madam.
You are under some strange delusion. I"
1T is no delusion; opened Sir
Roberts letter and learned the whole
plot"
my dear Mrs. Rivers. l assure you
you must have mistaken his meaning"
"But remember the very words:
4 should employ arsenic, and should
suggest its administration in small
Doses"
my good lady, let me set your mind
at rest. Your husband is writing o
novel;"
writing a novel!''
"Yes. He calls it "The Poisoned
Potion" The villain murd ers his wife.
with the object of marrying a woman
with money; sad JOUR husband re-
quired assistance on medical point.
He wanted the name of a poison"
'.But If that is ALL" interrupted Dol
| ly, "what was the risk Sir Robert
warned him against"
Perhaps" was the answer, given
with a smile, "Ballantyne was think
ing of his own early literary efforts. A
first work is generally heavy drain
on an authors pocket"
It might have been supposed that
these explanations would have sufR-
GENTLY proved the groundIessness oil
the invalid's apprehensions. but she
was still dissatisfied. The story was
plausible enough. but how could she
be sure OF its truthP Might it not be
itself fiction devised for the purpose
of allaying her excitement? Moreover,
was it probable that Jack would con.
fide the history of his novel and cor
respondence with Sir Robert Ballan.
tyne to this new acquaintanceP Was Il
likely, when he had never mentioned
the subject, even to his wife. that ht
should communicate 1t to the doctor
who. no doubt, was the local practition
or summoned at the time of her attacl
of illness?
Convinced by tn ese consideration
that she was the victim of deception
Dolly put further question:
But how do you know all about m.
husbands book and Sir Robert Ballan
tyne's letter."
my dear Mrs. Rivers, am Sir Rob
ert Ballantyne.
And we'll for Dolly that it was SO. ani
that the services OF such a skilled ply
stefan had been available during he
| illness.
Her condition, indeed. had at frs
seemed hopeless, but care and skill
eventually triumphed, and from thu
moment when the cause of Dolly's az
prehensions was removed. her recov
cry was rapid and uninterrupted.
The nature OF the first meeting be
tween husband and wife, with it
strange mixture OF mirth and tears
can be only indicated. Dolly's contri
ton was met by hearty acknowledge
ment of Jacks share in the responsi
bility for the mystification. Not tina
he could be fairly blamed for the solic
itude on his wifes behalf. which haa
been alike responsible for his literar.
enterprise. and for the secrecy observer
regarding it.
| The notion of the Poisoned Potion
had indeed originated in its author
desire to increase his income, and fur
nish his wife with the comforts Il
which she had once been accustomed
| While anxious for her enjoyment o
the benefit of his success. he had deter
mined to spare her the anxieties pre-
ceding its accomplishment
| A mutual Misunderstanding had en-