The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-08-20
TEE DOCTORS BLUNDER.
CHAPTER L

came with a purpose, and were as rapidly
succeeded by others. This had gone on
till even the exposed places in the bare
fields were covered to the depth of foot,
while III the hollows and the sheltered
lanes the snow was fifteen to eighteen
inches deep.
If 1t had been possible for some denizen
Of the air to sean miles of these deep, Sc
Guided roadways at a glance, he would
have seen but one creature toiling through
that mass of snow, and that creature was
DIR. Brancepeth's stout cob. The Doctor,
a hale and vigorous man in spite of his 60
years, was on the cob's back. Cheer up,
Prince, we shall soon be there, you know"
cried the doctor, patting the horses neck
with MS numb-gloved hand.
1t really seemed as if the animal caught
his masters meaning. He tossed his
head and plunged along vigorously, max
ing steady, though slow progress. The
long light OF the March evening had
faded, and the twilight had passed into
unmIStakable darkness before the lights
Of tho little town of Overton came in
sight and the Doctors cob turned OF his
own accord up the avenue that led TO his
sable.
The groom was hanging about the sta
= =
rectIons respecting Prince, DR.. Brance-
peth went along narrow path which had
/ Deen shOyeled III the snow to the front
OF the house, and let himself in with his
Iatchkey.
No pattering feet ran to meet him; no
wonau's voice fell on his ear, for the
Doc. or had been WldOWer nigh sixteen
years, and his only daughter was still at
school. but the lire in the diningroom
/ burned strong and clear. and ii the hearth
was lonely, the table-liuen was spotleSs
and the dinner cooked 10 a turn. The
Doctor managed TO get Off his thick coat
and gloves, and then walked heavily, let
ting his wearied body fail first on one
foot and then on another, up to the fire
place, where he sank into an old lGathern
easy-chair.
Your hot waters up, sir" said voice
at the door.
An acquiescent grunt was the reply.
IN less than two minutes the summons
was repeated.
shuttle door, Leah. IfeeI the draught,"
the Doctor called out
The dinners spelling, SIR" said Leah,
/ tall, spare woman. the Doctors house,
keeper, coming into the room. Hadn't
you better go UP stairs now, sir?''
i suppose 50, but upon my word l am
/ too tired 10 stir. l feel dead beat. Give
/ me cup Of tea then, and III try to get up
Stalrs.'
Leah did not approve of tea before din
ner, but she gave her master cup as a
7 concession TO his weakness, and he man
aged to stumble up stairs.
fOrtwO nights III succession DR.. Brance-
peth had had TO sit up with those who
needed his help, and this deprivation of
rest, joined 10 the long hours spent III the
saddle, mad tired him out. lie ate his
dinner, thinking now and then OF the
gentle form which long years ago used to
Sit opposite to him az that same table, and
sometimes OF the saucy little girl who was
coming back for good" in July, to be
mistress of the house.
After dinner he sat down, without re-
! Duke from Leah, in the great chair, and
his face wore a smile as he thought of
Marjory and her naughty tricks and her
sweet penitence, and how like she was to
her mother. This was the last idea in
DR.. Brancepeth's mind before he fell
asleep.
So deep was his slumber that Leah had
to take MIN by the shoulder and shake
him before she could get him awake.
doctor! DR.. Brancepethr' he heard
her voice calling to hilH as in dream.
| wake up, sir. Here's the groom come
for the Squires medicine, and can't find
any made up for him.
1t was the Doctors custom to make up
the next days medicines in the early part
OF the evening and lay them out on a table
set apart for the purpose, so that Leah
might be able to give them to any one
who called for them without troubling
the Doctor. But tonight the table was
bare.
The Squire's medicine" echoed DIR.
Braucepeth, looking up as if he hardly
understood what was said to him.
only that morning he had assisted at
consultation held at the bedside Of his old
friend and patron, Squire 1ngleton, and
it had been decided that in twelve hours
certain medicine was to be administered
II the symptoms did not change in the
meantime. The poor Squire was seri-
ouSly i'll, and the medicine was to be tried
as last resource. 1t was for this drug
that the groom had come, and in a few
seconds the circumstances REQUIRED to
the Doctors memory.
After yawning and rubbing his eyes
the Doctor rose and passed out of the
dining-roOm into the hall
GIVE the man something hot, Leah, /"
he called out, as he crossed the hall. and
then, pushing back red baize door, he
disappeared into the surgery.
Something hOt-that means a cup of
tea,' SAID Leah to herself, with a smile
No matter what the weather was she dis
approved of letting workmen or messen-
gers have anything stronger than tea.
William Dance, the groom; eyed the tea
with a look OF sovereign contempt, but lie
drank 1t of, and sat down with a discon-
tented air to wait for the medicine.
In few minutes it was ready and
handed to Dance, who set Off OH his six
miles ride through the snow. The storm
had now abated, but few flakes of
snow were yet falling, and the Sky was
dark as q cavern.
L ought TO make up those medicines"
said the Doctor to himself, rs ne turned
over the leaves Of his notebook by the
light OF his solitary candle, ''but really [
feel too sleepy. It's not at all likely that
any of the other patients will send for
their stut like this. Let's see. Past 9!
Pm OFT to bed.''
lie went into the hall, called his house
keeper, and telling her that he was half
dead with fatigue, charged her that he
was not to be reused except on the
gravest necessity. lie then went up
stairs, and in ten minutes was once more
sound asleep.
The nextday about O'Clock DR.. Brance-
peth opened his eyes greatly refreshed in
mind and body. His first thought was OF
Squire 1ngleton. Was be better? Had
the medicine administered the night be-
fore served its purpose? He felt as if he
/ would have liked TO spend the whole Cay
at Mr.. 1ngIeton'S bedside, for DR.! Brance-
peth was one of those persons whose
gratitude does not become cool with the
lapse OF time. Thirty years before, when
DR.. Brancepeth had come TO the parish of
OVerton, Il DOOR and almost unknown
man, Mr.. IngIeton had taken him by the
hand, asked him TO dinner, and intro
duced him to all the people of the sur
rounding neighborhood. This had proved
the turning point in the Doctors career.
ana he hau never forgotten that it was 10
Squire lngletOn he owed his present pros