The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-06
Matt looked at the card in his hand. and


Mr.. Putney: Please talk to Mr.. Hilary n
you would to my sister or me-" Suzette'
printed name served for signature. Matt p,l
the card In his pocketbook, and then he said
What sort OF man is Mr.. Putney. doctorP'
Mr.. Putney." said the doctor. with twinkl
OF his blue eyes. lis one Of those uncommol
people who have enemies. He has goot
many because he's man that thinks. ant
then says what hc thinkA But he's his owl
worst enemy. because from time to time h,
gets drunk"
"A character" said Matt. do you thinl
| he's q safe one? Doesn't his getting drum
from time to time interfere with his useful
| ness?"
well. OF COURSE" said the doctor. 1T,
bad for him: but i think TIA slowly getting
better. Yes. decidedly. It's worry extraordi
nary. but ever since he's been Ia charge OF the
Miss Northwicks' interests"
Yes; that's what I was thinking Of"
Hes kept perfectly straight It's as II the
responsibilities Ind stendicd him."
But |; he goes on sprees. he may be on the
verge Of one that's gathering violence from its
postponement." Matt suggested.
"Ithink not" said the doctor after mo.
ment. But Of course can't toll"
They trust him so implicitly" said Matt.
81 know" said the doctor. And know
that he's entirely devoted to them. The fnct
is. Putney's very dear friend OF minc.'
"Oh. excuse me-"
No. nor The doctor STAYED Mats, apollo
GIGS. II understand just what you mean.
He disliked their father very much. He was
principled against him as merely rich man.
with miscellaneous influence on tho imagina-
tions OF all the poor people about him who
wanted to DO like him"
"Oh. that's rather good" said Matt.
DO you think so Z" asked the doctor. looking
round at him well! supposed you would
be nil the other way. Well! What was say
ing was that Putncy looks upon these poor
girls as thcir fathers chief victims. think ho
was touched by their coming to him, and has
pitcd them. Tho impression is that he's man.
aged their affairs very well; I don't know
about such things: but know he's managed
them honorably: would stake my life on It:
and believe he'll hold out straight to the end.
/ suppose" the doctor coniecturcd ut the end.
that they will try to get ut Northwick now. and
arrange with his creditors for his return."
II don't mind telling YOU" eaid Matt. that
it's boon tried and fn!led. The States attorney
insists that he shall come back aud stand his
trial. first Of ALL"
OH" said the doctor
"Of course. that's right from tho legal point
Of view. But in tho mean time. nobody knows
where Mr.. Northwick is.'
II suppose" said the doctor. It would have
been better for him not to have written that
letter."
Its hard to say Matt answered. Il
thought so. too. ut first. thought it was
cowardly and selfish Of him to take away his
children's superstition about his honesty.
You knew that they held to that through all ?"
Most touching thing in the world" said
,far Mi flr, or1 70 Il. AS,.,
his horse with the limp point Of his whip.
That poor old maid has talked it into me till
I almost believe it myself"
II don't know that should hold him Sc
verely accountable. And I'm not sure now
that l should condemn him for writing that
letter. 1t must have been great relief to
him. In II way. you may say he had to do 1t.
It's conceivable that il he had kept 1t on his
mind any longer. his mind would have given
way. As it is. they have now tho comfort OF
another superstition-if it is a superstition.
What do you think. doctor? Do you believe
that there was a mental twist in him"
There seems to be in nearly all these de-
faulters. What they do is so senselcss 80 in
sane. suppose that's the true theory Of all
crime. But 1t won't do to act upon it yet
awhile"
No"
Tho doctor went on after pause. with a
laugh Of enjoyment at the notion. Above all
it won't do to let the defaulters act upon that
theory. and apply for admission to the insane
asylums instead OF taking the express for
Canada when they're found out"
"Oh. no." said Matt. He wondered at him
self for being able to analyze the offence OF
Suzette's father so cold-bloodedly. But in
fact he could not relate the thought OF her to
the thought OF him in his sin. at all: he could
only realize their kindred in her share Of his
suffering.