Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-09-03
XXI.

usual, dare say, visited Lamar, chatted
with Mrs. Weston, regularly appeased
an excellent appetite, and demanded
slightly unreasonable share of Dor
othy's time; but when l endeavor to
recall each incident by itself veil
falls, as it were, to end the inquiry.
was too jubilant to heed trifes, and
therefore there is now but shadowy
remembrance of delightful days which
went only too quickly. Nevertheless,
in the course of them we contrived> to
agree upon a general plan of action
or rather inaction, for it seemed wise
to let matters continue as they were
until we could see our way more clear
ly. To an early marriage Dorothy de-
INJURED, not only because of the short
time which had passed since the death
of Mrs. Loring, but also because, as
she argued, a wife might seriously
hamper me were Lamar to resume his
wanderings and to demand my COM
pany in them. She took the view that
considering his condition, it was out
of the question to think of ending my
connection with him. In year we
should probably be free to 60 where
we pleased, and then it was agreed
that there should be wedding, and,
efter all, renewal Of the effort to es
tablish practice in some city. Ny
savings promised to suffice to support
two of us for considerable time, es
pecially as we were willing to observe
the most rigid economy. Meanwhile,
Dorothy was to remain a member OF
Mrs. Clark's household.
have set forth this summary of the
Llans we made, not because it was fated
that they should be carried out, but
because there is degree of satisfaction
in recalling the making of them. AL
most as soon as we had decided to accept
the situation, the events of a few hours
wrought complete change in them.
Lamar's case had presented several
unfavorable symptoms, and it had be-
come advisable to alter the treatment.
l had driven to Bassettville to have Il
fresh prescription filed. and, returning,
had reached Mrs. Weston's late in the
afternoon. Ordinarily l should have
postponed delivering the medicine un
til the morning, for had little con-
fidence in the power OF any drugs in
bis behalf; but about nine o'clock in
the evening, having hidden an unusual
ly early goodnight to Dorothy, l sat
down to enjoy quiet pipe. Smoking
induced reflection, however, and after
q little I resolved to visit my patient
and thus to occupy the hour or two
which must elapse before drowsiness
would come. The night air was chilly,
and keen wind was blowing from the
sea, making the light overcoat wore
a welcome addition to my attire. APP
preaching the knoll, saw light stream
ing from the window of the living
room of the old house, proving that
Lamar, in spite of his rapidly-failing
health, was not yet forced to give up
his evenings with his books. A volume
in French lay open on the table when
he unbarred the door in answer to the
double knock which he recognized as
mine. With the caution which was a
part of his nature, he shot q heavy
bolt back into its catch before he re-
sumed his chair.
The table was heavy piece of furni-
ture, the length of it running on the
line of the front door and another
the rear wall opening into the kitchen.
Lamar sat in his usual place, to the
left of the table as one entered, with
his back to the fireplace. The chair I
took was at the end of the table near
the entrace. The room was we'll light
cd by powerful lamp hanging from
the ceiling. The floCr was carpeted.
There was a bookcase. in one corner,
and two or three chairs stood against
the walls, but the room was bare of
ornament.
Lamar took the phial of medicine,
and heard the directions for it's use.
1t was hardly necessary to tell such
man that there was sufficient strychnine
in it to make an overdose very serious
blunder, but, as matter OF form,
gave him the warning.
"The case progresses ill?" he said,
after pause.
"Yes. That is why the treatment is
changed"
'"The probable limit you mentioned
was it too grcat?"
There was no anxiety in his tone.
He wanted the truth, and it was as
well to let him have it.
"Yes," said l. "Please remember,
though, that such estimates are mere
guesses."
II comprehend. It is a. game of
chance. You but reduce the period the
odds favor"
Exactly"
"To what extent" ~sa
"A month-perhaps two"
From the original six?"
"Yes."
Again there was q pause, during
which he sat apparently in no wise
shaken by such evil tidings. When a.
last he spoke it was to ask me about
my other patients.
I'm doing next to nothing" said L.
"As you know, Mrs Loring is dead,
and as for the natives, they hold to
the old doctor. I've made no efforts to
supplant him. We're very friendly.
He's offered me his succession, but
shall decline it,"
"You prefer city?"
eyes, even if have to begin all over
again"