Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-06

to the earth rapidly. as if they came with pur-
pose, and were as rapidly succeeded by others
This had gene on till even the exposed places IN
the bare fields were covered TO the depth of a
foot. while in the hollows and the sheltered
lanes the snow was fifteen to eighteen inches
deep.
II it had been possible for some denizen OF
the air to scan miles of these deep, secluded
roadways at a glance he would have seen but
one creature toiling through that mass Of snow.
and that creature was DR.. Brancepeths stout
cob. The doctor, a hale and vigorous man in
spite of his sixty years, was on the cob's back.
''Cheer up. Prince, we shall soon be there, you
know cried the doctor. patting the horse $
neck with his numb gloved hand.
It really seemed rs if the animal caught his
masters meaning; he tossed his head and
plunged along vigorously. making 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
the little town of Overton came In sight. and the
doctors cob turned of his own accord up the
avenue that led to his stable.
The groom was hanging about the stable yard,
and. after giving him a few directions respect
ing Prince DR. Brancepeth went along narrow
path which had been shoveled in the snow to
the front of the house. and let himself in with
his latch kew.
No pattering feet ran to meet him. no
woman's voice fell on his ear; for the doctor
had been a widower nigh sixteen years. and
his only daughter was still at school But the
fire in the dining room burned strong and
clear, and if the hearth lonely. the table
linen was spotless and the dinner cooked TO a
turn. The doctor managed to get of his thick
coat and gloves, and then walked heavily. let
ting his wesried body fall first on one foot and
then on another, up to the fireplace, where he
sank into an old leathern 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.
''Shut the door. Leah: / feel the draught,"
the doctor called out.
1.-The dinners spoiiing. sir said Leah. a
tall. spare woman. the doctors housekeeper.
coming into the room. Hadn't you better go
upstairs now, sir?
Il suppose 30. but upon my word am too
tired to stir. / feel dead beat. Give me a cup
Of tea. then, and III try to get upstairs.
Leah did not approve Of tea before dinner.
but she gave her master a cup as a concession
to his weakness. and he managed to stumble
upstairs.
For two nights in succession DIR. Brancepeth
had had to sit up with those who needed his
help. and this deprivation Of rest, Joined to the
long hours spent in the saddle. had tired him
out He ate his dinner. thinking now and then
of the gentle form which long years ago used to
sit opposite to him at 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 rebuke
from Leah in the great chair, and his face wore
. smile he thought of Marjory and her
naughty tricks and her sweet penitence. and
how like she was to her mother. This the
last idea in DR.. Brancepeths mind before he
fell asleep.
So deep was his slumber that Leah had to
take him by the shoulder and shake him before
she could get him awake.
.Doctorl DIR. Brancepethr' he heard her
voice calling TO him as in a dream Wake up.
sir, Here's the groom come for the squire's
medicine, and / can't find any made up for
him..
II was the doctors custom to make up the
next days medicines in the early part of the
evening and lay them out on table set apart
for the purpose. so that Leah might be able TO
give them TO any one who called for them with
out troubling the doctor. But tonight the
table was bare.
The squire's mediciner' echoed Dr. Brance-
peth. looking up as if he hardly understood
what was said TO him.
Only that morning he had assisted at con-
suitation held mt the bedside Of his old friend
and patron. Squire Ingleton. and it had been
decided that in twelve hours a certain medicine
was to be administered. if the symptoms did
not change in the meantime. The poor squire
was seriously i'll and the medicine TO be
tried ~ q last resource. Ii was for this drug
that the groom had come, and in a few seconds
the circumstances required to the doctors
memory.
After yawuing and rubbing his ewes the
doctor rose and passed out of the dining room
into the hall
.'Give the man something hot. Leah. . he
called out he crossed the hall. and then.
pushing tpek a 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 she disapproved Of letting
workmen or messengers have anything stronger
than tea VIM Dance. the groom, eyed the
tea with look of sovereign contempt; but
he drank il of and sat down with a discon-
tented air to wait for the medicine.
In few minutes IL was ready and handed
over Dance, who set off on his six miles
ride through the snow. The storm had now
abated: but a few flakes of snow were vet fall
ing and the sky dark a cavern.
Il ought To make up those medicines said
the doctor to himself. a. he turned over the
leaves of his note book by the light o: his soli-
tary candle: .'bnt really feel too sleepy. Its
not az all likely that any of the other patients
viii send fog their stnff a night like this
Let's see, Past nine, I'm off TO bed
He went into the hall. called his housekeeper.
and. telling her that he was half dead with
fatigue. charged her that be not to be
reused except on the gravest necessity. He then
went upstairs. and in ten minutes was once
more sound asleep.
The next day about o'clock Dr. Brancepeth
opened his ewes. greatly refreshed in mind and
body. Iii. first thought OF Squire Ingie-
ton. Was he better? Had the medicine adj
ministered the nigh; before served it- purpose?
He felt as IL he would have liked to spend the
whole day at Mr. lncletons bedside: for Dr.
Brancepeth one of those persons whose
gratitude does not become cool with the lapse
OF time. Thirty years before. when Dr. Brs.nee-
.peth had come to the parish OF OVerton a poor
and almost unknown man. Mr.. 1ngletOn had
taken him by the hand. asked him 70 dinner and
introduced him 10 all the people OF the sur
rounding nei-hborhoOd. This had proved the
Turning pom. in the doctors career: and he
had never forgotten that it was to Squire Ingle-
ton he owed bis present prosperity
After a hasty breakfast DIR. Braneepeth went
into his surgery TO begin his postponed task Of
making mp the medicines which he had in his
own mind prescribed on the pree. ding tiav
He had got half way through his list. vhen
having occasion TO reach TO upper shelf, his
eye fell on the bottle from which he had taken
the dose for Squire Ingletou on the preeed-
ing night Ii WAS a little out of its usual and
proper place. the gilt Label being turned a
little too mach inward, and the doctor
stretched OUT his hand to sc. il right Before
he had time to touch il horrible suspicion
darted through his mind. Ii was the wrong
bottle