San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-10-24


and excusisg himself he went to call
her.
While he was away Opper got up to
stretch his legs, and in the circuit OF the
improvised studio came upon small
folio, which carelessly opened revealed
sketch done on a business card that fair
ly took his breath away.
miss Neviller' he muttered to him
self ''Thcn this is the william she has
been trying TO avoid ever since we left
New York. My God and have been
telling him about her. Another! Three!
Two more! AS live, there is nothing
else. And l was seriously thinking to
have this man paint her from life. Well,
well, well! this is great luck must go;
this is something renarkable!'
A few moments later, when HenshaIl
returned with his wife to propose an in
vitation for supper party, he was sur
prised to find the room vacant.
There was no sign of Herr Opper in the
hall, and as the elevator was at the bot
tom of the shaft he wisely concluded
that his visitor had gone. The next
thing was to send a playfully petulant
note after him by messenger, and urge
the Importance of an early sitting for the
next morning. The reply dumfounded
him.
Herr Opper would not be able to keep
the appointment nor make another until
his return to New York.
At the concert that night the manager
could not be seen, and when he had been
repulsed third time Henry fell to
thinking with such fierce energy that he
did not notice the burly detective in
evening dress who followed him into the
hall and occupied the seat adjoining his.
y
+ When Dr. Watson reached Chicago
and came face to face with his wife and
his antagonist he was momentarily
stunned
Curse the luckr' he thought to him
self. "There are four sleepers in the train,
but only one dining car, and no matter
how | calculated it would be awkward.
There's no use figuring. can't do it."
And he instantly became solicitous for
his patient.
"My dear sir, what is it? Speak" put
ting one hand on the old mans shoulder
and taking his pulse with the other.
"You are pale, your eyes are CLASSY and
you're chilled. Forgive me, dear Mr..
Crawford, the run from New York has
been too much for you. We should have
laid off at Detroit. But we'll make
amends here"
And before the astonished old gentle
man could recover his senses at this un-
expected burst of interest DIR. Watson
signalled porter to conduct him to the
waiting room while he went to over
take Miss Brown, who had already ar
ranged her section for the journey.
My dear" he said, taking her by the
arm, I've changed my mind; come out
on the platform, want to speak to you,"
anxious to avoid the possible recognition
of his wife. "Mr. Crawford is not well,
and have decided to stay over until to-
morrow, but you can go on alone.
Here's the letter and the tickets, and
here's some money for your expenses.
go to Miss Crawford at once, and
$500 spot cash if you catch the bird
and hold her until we arrive If any
thing happens I'll wire you and sign the
message Brother, so as not to arouse
any suspicious in the mind of Miss Edna
should she chance to see it. That's all,
l guess Good-by, sister Won't you
shake hands? Well, have it as you like.
Be good to yourself and look sharp"
The bags and travelling blankets were
hardly gathered up when the bell rang,
the cry of ''all aboard" was heard and
the train steamed out of the depot.
DR.. Watson called a carriage and or-s
dered the driver to take them to the Pal
mer house.
By way of sustaining his apprehen-
sions for the welfare of Mr.. Crawford,
who was in reality very much Frustrated
from the fatigue of the journey, the doc
tor conducted him to the Turkish bath
and had him steamed, rubbed and rolled
until he was nearly dead. He had to be
carried to his room ON stretcher, where
he remained through the entire week.
Message after message was wired to
Miss B-own during the week without
getting any answer in reply.
Suddenly one day the treachery of the
woman flashed through the DOCTORS
mind, and he dashed off dispatch, and
marking it rush" he carried it down to
the rotlnda Of the hotel.
The dispatch was addressed to Louise
Neville. 1t read:
"Come at once. Your father is dying.
"DR. WATSON"