Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-09-17
XXI.

XXI.
Altogether, my memory presents the
events of the next few days in a good
deal of confusion. / went about as
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 / endeavor to
recall each incident by itself a veil
tails, as il were, to end the inquiry.
] was too jubilaEt to heed trifes. and
therefore there is now but a shadowy
remembrance of delightful days which
went only eco quickly. Nevertheless,
in the course of them we contrived to
agree upon general plan of action
or rather inaction, for il seemed wise
TO let matters continue as they were
until we could see our way more clear
~. 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 go where
we pleased, and then it was agreed
that there should be a wedding. and,
after all, renewal OF the effort to es-
tablish o practice in some city. NJ,
savings promised to suffice TO support
two of us for considerable time, es-
peciaily as we We're willing to observe
the most rigid economy. Meanwhile,
Dorothy was to remain 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 a degree of satisfaction
in recalling the making of them Al
most as soon as we had decided to accept
the situation, the events of few hours
wrought complete change III them.
Lanar's case had presented several
uDfavorable symptoms, and it had be-
come advisable to alter the treatment.
] had driven to BASKERVILLE TO have a
fresh prescription filled. and. returning.
had reached Mrs. Westons late in the
afternoon. Ordinarily | should have
postponed delivering the medicine un
til the morning, for l had little con
ftdence in the power of any drugs in
his behalf; but about nine O'clock in
the evening. having hidden an unusual
~ early goodnight to Dorothy, / sat
Gown to enjoy a quiet pipe. Smoking
induced reflection, however, and after
a little | 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 l wore
a welcome addition to my attire A3-
proaching 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 efenings with his books. A volume
IN French lay open on the table when
he unbarred the door III answer to the
double knock which he recognized as
mine. With the caution which was
part of his nature, he shot heavy
bolt back INTO its catch before he re-
sumed his chair
The table was heavy piece of furni-
ture, the length of Il running on the
line Of the front door and another IN
the rear wall opening into the kitchen.
Lamar sat in his usual place, to tIp,
left of the table as one entered. with
his back to the fireplace. The chair
took was at the end of the table near
the entrace. The room was well light
cd by a powerful lamp hanging from
the ceiling. The floor 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 its use.
1t was hardly necessary to tell such a
man that there was sufficient strychnine
ia it to make an overdose very serious
blunder, but, as a matter of form, l
gave him the warning.
The case progresses ill?" he said,
after a pause.
"Nes. That is why the treatment is
changed"
The probable limit you mentioned
was it too create"
There was no anxiety in his tone.
He wanted the truth, and it was as
well to let him have it.
Yes" said l. "P!ease remember
though, that such estimates are mere
euesses."
IL comprehend II is game of
chance. You but reduce the period the
odds favor
Exactly"
ITO what extent? ?"
"A month-perhaps two"
From the original six9"
Yes"
Again there was pause, during
which he sat apparently in no wise
shaken by such evil tidings. When n.
last he spoke it was to ask me about
my other patients.