Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-08-14
A ROOM WITHOUT A DOOR

l really think that the time has now
come when | may relate, without danger
or indiscretion, the one adventure which
has befaiien me in life which, am thank
full to say, has been otherwise remarkabl,
devoid of startling experiences It hap
pened many years ago, all the persons
chiefly concerned In it are dead, and dare
say that by employing fictitious names
shall fuliill the requirements of prudence
Nottingham, where have exercised my
calling as medical man throughout my
professional career, il manufacturing
town which has, believe, returned Liberal
or Radical members to parliament even
since 1889; 50 that everybody was sur
prised when Sir Horace Sibthorp, one OF
the principal territorial magnates Of the
county, came forward to solicit our suf-
frages. He came forward, it Is true, as a
Radical, and even as what in those days was
esteemed very extreme Radical; but that
OF course only increased the general sur.
prise. What his motives were for thus de-
parting from the traditions of his order |
did not inquire-indeed, have never taken
much personal interest in party politics.
but he was triumphantly returned, and his
skill in oratory-possibiy, also, the incon-
gruity of his position-soon earned for him
a popularity far greater than had been en-
1oyed by any of our previous representa-
tives
It was on account of what l had been
told about his eloqucnce that attended a
great meeting which he addressed shortly
after his election. and | must say that a
finer speaker | never listened to. He
talked what seemed to the at the time to be
rather wild and dangerous nonsense, al
. a . l.. II L
vocsted have since become laws; but the
fascination of his voice and gesture, and
his air of thorough, enthusiastic conviction
were such that one could not help being
carried away by him, ana | soon found
myself applauding as loudly as anybody.
He was "a tall, spare man, with singularly
bright brows eyes. His age was probably
nearer sixty than fifty, but he had youth
full carriage, and but for his gray hair he
might have passed for being on the better
side of middle life.
His speech, as have said, interested me;
but as he went on began to take another
and a more professional interest ia the
speaker. Those curiously brilliant eyes of
his, the pallor Of his complexion and a
blush tinge about the lips, which grew
more apparent as he approached his pero-
AhNAbht WIZ III l'Nblllo VI an
kind, and il was very evident to me that
Sir Horace's political career would be a
brief one He sank back into his chair 1t
last, completely exhausted, amid tremen-
dous outburst of cheering, and observed
that he left the platform Immediately after.
ward, leaning upon the arm Of one Of his
friends, while somebody else rose TO ad-
dress the meeting.
NOT haipo porficuforf, hon.
this gentleman's views slipped away, and
was leaving the hall when messenger ran
after me and caught me by the arm.
"Dr Drew, you're wanted" said he
breathlessly; "Sir Horace Sibthorp has
been taken i'll"
went ut once into the little room be-
hind the platform, where, as ] had expect
ed, | found Sir Horace lying In dead
swoon, with two OF three frightened look
ing gentlemen standing helplessly around
him. 1t was some little time before / was
able to restore him to consciousness, but
when his senses returned they did SO with
astonishing rapidity, and our grave faces
seemed to amuse him.
Don't look so solemn, all of YOU" said
he laughing; didn't you ever see man
faint beforeS IT'S little way have; it
doesn't mean anything serious, | assure
you"
could have assured him that in all
it meant something very seri-
Gus indeed, and almost felt that | ought
TO enlighten him, although Of course |
was not his medical attendant and my
opinion had not been asked No doubt my
face reflected the thoughts which were
passing through my mind, for presently
Sir Horace said, In the same testing tone:
Il know you're dying to listen to my
heart, DIR. Drew Well, Pm not going
home tonight, so If you'll come around and
smoke a cigar with me at the Red Lion, .
where intend to sleep, you shall be graft /
fed. Moreover, you shall have the add
tional pleasure OF prescribing for me-"
| accepted his invitation all the more
because his words seemed to
show that there was some genuine alarm
underlying that assumed jauntiness of
manner; but unhapPily the careful exami I
nation which | made after accompanying
him to his hotel did not Justify me in say 4
ing anything reassuring to him. To put
things plainly, his condition was such that
he might die ut any moment and that, even |
under the most favorable circumstances, I
he was very unlikely to live for more than ,
another year or two Naturally, did not .
tell him that; but | warned him that he /
could not afford to trihe with his health /
and that 1t was absolutely necessary for /
him 30 avoid excitement.
"My dear sir" he returned, smilingly, |
"you might rs well order me to avoid /
meat and drink. You give me to under
stand that unless retire from public life |
| shall kill myself, and dare say you are
right but there is another fact to be taken |
into consideration, namely, that for rea-
sons with which | need not trouble you .
private life would kill Inc. I firmly be (
leve that my best chance i to go on with /
this sort Of thing. IL is ridiculous enough"
he added, with shrug Of his shoulders,
yet somehow or other 1t exhiiarates me-"
II don't wonder at that, Sir Horace"
said |, nor can | see anything ridiculous
in the strong political convictions that you
hold. | am not ashamed to owtlh hat you
carried mewith you this evening" though I
! am pretty sure, now that ! think over
your speech in cold blood, that | utterly |
disagree with It,"
"Dear1nep be exclaimed, with an amused
twinkle In bIs eye, 80 you took me SER I
aasiy DID your You really believed that I
was sincereS Well, between ourselves,
that is lust what | believe IA soon as get .
upon my legs; it's queer but at the sans (
time very enjoyable Illusion. In reality, |
as need scarcely tell a sensible man like I
you, democracy will never do for such
great, scattered empire as ours. Theoret- I
ically, this or that may be the best form |
NJ oovernmeut hut what Ii the best for ,