The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-11-10


thorough knowledge that clings about his
heavy, muscular frame and his smoothly
shaver, handsome face, inspires at glance an
unfaltering trust within the bosom OF his pa
tient. / have heard ladies declare that acute
suffering has been known to depart immedi-
stely upon his entrance into the sick-room
which is no doubt quite true.
Such man is worth more to a community
than any quantity of physc, and it was indeed
sad day for US all when the Doctor gave up
general practice and became specialist OF
the eve and ear. But bis increasing weight
mot years, for he is still this side of 40) and
general Discrimination to all physical exer-
tion finally tipped the beam in favor of spec.
ialism where he can sit all day in double
strength arm chair Of extra width, and manip-
ulate various pretty nickel-plated appliances
of more OF less benefit and torture. Then, by
snd-by, a virgin field appeared open unto him
from sfsr, and thus one sad day he faded out
from among us and was gone We shall never
know his like sgain-so skillful, so genial, and
so lazy.
IL is probable that Mrs. Kilfoyle formerly
the superb Maude Wetherby) added the name
of this honored parsonage to her list Of victims
simply because she could not forego the pleas
ure of thus taking credit for so marked a
bachelorhood. Even though Mrs. Kifoyles
nearest and dearest friends cannot wholly rec
oncile the chronology of that lady's marriage
a3d the Doctors advent into our social circles,
which events occurred so nearly together as to
be the occasion of much able and interesting
discussion.
That DIR. Berkly did not settle these disputes
either by denial or acknowledgements or def
nitely declare the exact date of his arrival
and acquaintance with Mrs. Kilfoyle was per-
haps due to his perfect good breeding and con-
seQuent regard for that lady's asseveration in
the matter. Or it may have been out of regard
for her present favor and patronage, and the
liberal monthly check of Mr.. Kilfoyle. Or
perhaps land think this the most probable solu
tom because of his inherent tendency to a
serene inertia and the general disfavOr with
which he regarded anything so exhausting as
q fiat denial or q cold statement of facts. In
deed it was mainly this latter quality, / be-
lieve, that induced him to resign the Office of
City Coroner. to which he had been unani-
mousy elected, after brief though somewhat
remarkable service.
The Aifcyles had at one time rooms in the
Huntington House, at which place both the
Doctor and myself took our meals; hence it
not infrequently happened, being regular
patrons, that the four OF US were seated at
private table, making a really pleasant family
arrangement. at least so far as Mrs. Kilfoyle
and DIR. Berkly were concerned, for they were
good friends, as, indeed, why should they not
be- when both were so highly regarded by the
majority of our best citizens.
Now, the hotel dining-roons of Kansas are
mostly served by white waiier-girls, who are
generally young. frequently pretty, and always
or nearly always as good, well-behaved girls
as you will find anywhere in the country.
The girl who usually waited on our table had
been in the Huntington employ for some two
or three years. She was. perhaps. 90 years old.
We called her Nettie, and size was really very
remarkable young woman. Her hair and eyes
were very black. and her skin warm olive,
tinged little with the red blood beneath.
Had she possessed the look that comes of intel
lectuAl culture she would have been hand
come.
Her conversation was disappointing. Her
grammar was eccentric and her pronunciation
disastrous; but she was attentive and faithful,
and we al made much of her, except Mrs Kill
foyle, who treated her in her usual magnif-
cent manner and wondered audiby how We
could put ourselves level with people of
that sort. Naturally, hettie did not form any
special attachment for Mrs. Kilfoylc; while for
Or. Berkly, who had been boarder al the
hotel longer than any OF Us, she had conceived
an unqualified worship. These facts were
equally evident, and il is possible that the latter
may have Influenced Mrs. kilfoyle's treatment
of the girl. Upon second thought, however,
this seems improbable il would be almost
unreasonable 20 suppose that the elegant Mrs.
Kilfoyle could be jealous of an ignorant waiter
girl.
That Nettie should have heard the gossip of
this lady's former bad treatment of the Doctor,
and Of her having welded Mr.. Kilfoyle on &C
count OF his superior financial ability, is not to
be wondered at, for the subject was o favorite
one in the dining-room, aud such matters in
such places are discussed with freedom that
lie Of once energetic and surprising, the walters
being generally regarded as SO many pieces Of
furniture.
This subject the girl had no doubt frequently
revolYed in her mind as she regarded the two
lz.,z
better for the shskingup she was supposed to
have given the Fslstaffian Doctor in times
past
just ut what period she elected herself his
avenger j cannot guess. ] recolIect looking at
her one day and turning suddenly cold at the
murderous expression in her eyes. which were
fixed at that moment upon Mrs. Kilfoyle
1t would be hard 70 form an opinion IS to
what Nettie really intended as a final result of
Der plans. Perhaps she merely wished to re-
sent the supposed injury of long ago. and re-
venge herself at the same time for a thousand
petty indignities Perhaps she went SO far as
70 believe that with Mrs. Kilfoyle out Of the
way the Nettie herself. might find lasting
favor In her hero's eyes No one will ever
know just what or bow far she reasoned
One day in the late Fall Berkly and myself
came 10 supper late. The street lamps were
already lighted.
Just as we assembled the steps Of the hotel
little Mr- kiltoyle came rushing out.
On, Doctor" he gasped, Al am so glad to
have met you. Ny wife is violently ii-taken
Immediately after supper. Come at once"
We passed in ard the Doctor assembled the
broad stairway as rapidly as his bulk would
permit followed into the hall way above and
waited for him in the parlor Fortunately the
room was deserted and no one below had noticed
anything wrong.
Berkiy was only gone moment, then he
came into the psrlor. moving more rapidly than
have ever known him TO move before or
since.
" Run over quick, TO the Office and get my
stomach pump" be whispered hurriedly, "the
woman has got something down SON chow that's
got 10 come up or she'll die in few minutes.
Stop at the drugstore and get some sweet oil
about pint. Say nothing to anybody, and
hurry"
knew the run Of the Office and was gone
like shot. In five minutes / was back. BerkIy
met me at the door.
"COme in and help." he said; !" we don't want
any outsiders"
For half an hour we worked with the woman.
and IL seemed every moment as If she would
die under our hands. Nobody as yet knew of
her illness; sll had happened so quickly. By
tnd-by che grew easier and We suspended Wig
orous treatment, while retired into the hall
70 await further orders
The roous orcupied Nv The T,IfoyIac MGR.