The Colfax chronicle., 1892-01-16

"Oh. DOCTOR replied Mrs. Devenish.
with a sob, Capt Roke arrived this
morning. and forced his way into Johns
room"
Dr.. Healy understood the situation
at once. Capt. Roke was the squire's
cousin; and though much younger, had
been formerly his bosom friend. Many
time had the two heard the chimes
together. At that time the squire was
very liberal to his young kinsmau, who
cherished reasonable hopes that he
would make him his heir. With the
squire's marriage, Capt. Roke's pros
poets were considerably darkened, and
Capt Roke was proportionately an
noyed His opposition to the marriage
had been very inscriptions, and had
left certain bitterness in the mind of
the squire. After the marriage, he and
Mrs. Devenish got on badly together.
Mrs. Devenish did not like the captain,
and the captain cordially hated her.
At last matters came to crisis. The
captain, in a moment of half-tipsy
folly, let drop some expressions reflect
ing on the lady's character, and after
a violent scene, he was ordered out of
the house. Since then, Squire Deven-
ish had refused utterly to have any
intercourse with him whatever. This
was the gentleman who had suddenly
turned up, and had forced his way into
the sick mans room.
DIR. Healy reflected for q moment
"Where," he then inquired, ''where is
this person.
'In the library" murmured Mrs.
Devenish.
''Ill see him"
With resolute face and firm step
DIR. Healy walked straight to the IL
brary. The moment he opened the
door he espied the captain sitting
quietly by the fire reading a big folio
and smoking cigar. He rose as Che
doctor entered. He was handsome man
enough had his features not been rem
dered sodden with drink.
''The doctor. presume?" he said.
DIR. Healy bowed.
"Ah, glad to meet you. just came
here to see how my cousin, the squire,
was getting on" continued Capt Roke,
in an uneasy tone. He evidently mo-
ticed the resolution in the physicians
face, and was uncomfortable.
mot any better for your being here, I"
replied DR.. Healy, bluntly. "Your con-
duct in forcing your way into his bed
room was, let me tell you. cowardly,
and might have caused his death"
When DIR. Healy was reused he didn't
mince matters.
II wanted to know what was wrong
with him." stammered Capt Roke,
angry, yet disconnected. ''I'm his near
est relative. and have right to know.
I'm not going to leave him helpless in
the hands of that creature whom he
picked out of the gutter"
''If you had wanted to know, you
should have come to me-" said DIR.
Heaiy, sternly.
''Well, now you're here, what is
wrong with him?" demanded the cap
tain.
DIR. Healy hesitated. He had sug-
gested the question, and now he
couldn't answer it. He took refuge in
a strategem.
AFTER your conduct to-day, sir. 1
shall tell you nothing" he said.
Because you can't, or are afraid, !"
cried Capt. Roke, who had noticed the
doctors momentary hesitation.
leave the house this instant, sir, or
shall be compelled to use force"
"rll 60" muttered Capt Roke, as,
= ~ h. he H.
picked up his hat and gloves and moved
towards the door. III go, but it won't
be far / don't like the look of things
here at all. Poor Jacks at the mercy
of his gutter wife and her doctor, who's
her special favorite, suppose"
"If you repeat that, I'll kick you out
Of the house." said the doctor. and he
would have kept his word, only Capt.
Roke thought it wiser not to give him
the chance. That individual took him.
self off as quickly as he could. and made
his way to Braxley inn, where he es-
tablished himself to- await develop
ments.
The interview brought home to DIR.
Healy the awkwardncss, If not danger,
of his position. If the squire died, how
much more awkward and dangerous
would that position become? His mind
was made up. Without consulting Mrs
Devenish or the squire. he walked to
the village telegraph Office and wired
to the distinguished London physician,
Sir William MacFissic, to come at
once. An hour later he received re-
ply. Sir William would arrive the
next morning.
With mind much easier than it had
been of late. DR.. Healy was that even
ing sitting smoking his pipe in his
study, when his equanimity received a
rude shock. The groom from the
manor house arrived post haste with a
message for him to come at once. The
squire had suddenly become much
worse.
Hastily scrambling mp ON the dog
cart beside the groom, Dr. Healy drove
of to the manor house. When he ar
rived he found the squire obviously in
a