The morning call., 1892-08-07
CHAPTER II.

had, IN fact become the village doctor. If a
practitioner without patients NAV claim the
title. 1 was seated in my arm eli air smOk-
ing an after-dlnner pipe, bnt in no very
cheerful frame of mind. l had caught a
chill, having been constantly on the river.
IN spite of adverse weather the last few
weeks, and as l sat in my study in feyerish
and depressed condition, all sorts of dark
thoughts Uttered through my brain. In the
midst OF my sonber bTooGings the sound
Oh wheels on the high road caught nv
ear. Presently there was a pause at tie
gate. l rose quickly and looked out Ii
was Colonel Hethersetps carriage. A strong
inclination seized me TO go out and answer
the gate-bell. But | had the prudence,
though conscious of a quickened pulse, 10
restrain my ardor. | threw myself back in
my chair, took up a book, and merely
glanced round abstractedly when nv man
came IN and handed me note. | broke
the seal without haste-iOr my servants
eye was still upon me-and read rs follows
Come Al once. SYBIL HETHERsETT.
found her standing on the hearthrug be-
fore the fire. She was alone. She came for
ward, when the door closed behind me. with
EVIDENT agitation. Her hand trembled as
took IL In mine. She looked searchngly
into my face. lyon are Ill. He told Inc
you were. How tboughtless OF me to have
sent for you! You ought never to have
ventured out on night like this. might
have come TO YOU"
Il n
creased. as well it might, since | had quilted
my hreside. But did my best to hide it,
She took my hot hand in hers and led me to
the sofa beside the hearth / think | should
have fallen but for her aid. L sank down,
and again asked her, What has hap
pened?"
But although, as | could see, there was
great anxiety to speak with me expressed
10 her face, she took no heed of nv ques-
tIon until she had placed some tea on a lit
bpsIQp m1 had lad
cup.
And now" said Sybil, 81 will answer
your question. My father assured me that
he should return IN good time this evening
1t Is past O'Clock; the last train went by
an hour ago. Ii he had come by IT, he must
have reached home before now. 1t is
scarcely 70 minutes walk from Watering
station"
Would he walk?" 1 could not help
thinking of the lonely road that led nv the
fields 10 Watering Hall ibid not the car
rage 90 to meet him?'
NO. lie was not sure by which train lie
should come. And he gave strict orders
and you know what that means-that the
carriage should not be sent. He has an odd
preference fur walking home at night"
was seriously alarmed, but made a
strenuous effort TO hide my growing sus-
piclon from her. Have you" said |, with
out any show of easerness, "any special
reason for being anxious"
Us
now earnestly raised 10 mine" Won know
mat danger threatens him; you know that
what had happened 10 years ago-when
your skill and devotion saved his Iife-may
happen again. he never speaks to me Of
this. L care not speak to him. Bat am
Convinced as IL my father had spokeu-that
kenrick still oveTsb adows his life''
henrlek = said |, unable to suppress my
sunrise. That mans name, then, Miss
Hethersett. is known to you?"
She answered in a uuiet ,roe -
Cawnpore. and in the house. when my
father gave way 10 his passion. l recclIect
every detail OF the affair. / was years old
at the time. And when three wears later"
she added, that dreadful attempt was
made on his life, everything was plain TO
me. was then at school in France; and
when / was told about land told what
mysterious affair it was-I said nothing. 1t
was no mystery to Inc. i knew who he'd
struck the blow; / knew it as certainly as il
L had witnessed the scene"
SybPs manner was still self-possessed !;
and as / looked into her face thought
recognized something of her fathers un-
daunted nature reflected there
now rose, though still showing nc sign
OF haste; for / would not Deedlessly alarm
her; though the feeling WAS growing strong
within me that might be losing precious
moments. She now left her chair, and COM
ing quickly to my side. placed her hand
upon my arm. Stay a moment longer"
SAID she, Il have something to tell you
something about this man." Again she
paused, expecting no reply. But it was only
momentarlly. She went on in a quicker