Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-03-06
THE RED HOUSE.

1t was really red house, but it acted
upon the squire irascible temperament
like the red rag Of the proverb, and he
never caught sight Of it without flushing
angrily and bursting forth into a volley
Of furious epithets against its owner.
If the builder had only chosen site
at the north, where the red house
would have been hidden behind the
plantation OF oaks and beeches, Squire
Turnbull would have good naturally
sold him apiece of land for mere song.
But that he should have planted his
ugly, staring, modern villa exactly in
front of the squire's windows, inter-
rupting his favorite view of the south
downs and the sea, was all unbearab BILE
piece of impertinence. But this land at
the south did not belong to the squire,
and his rage was Intellectual.
Now, Mabel Turnbull, the squires
only daughter, lovely girl of 10, was
interested in the young doctor, who was
both owner and inhabitant of the red
house. This was not only because he
was handsome and had quickly won a
reputation for cleverness in the neigh.
borhood, but because she had once come
upon him in country lane, and, unseen
herself, she had watched him bind up
the knee of little village girl who had
fallen and cut herself. He took the
greatest pains over the simple dressing,
asing his own handkerchief as band
age, and when he further oomforted his
little patient with bright silver six
pence and kiss Mabel Turnbull came
to the conclusion that DR.. Gerard Mas
sey WAS man worth knowing But she
could not bring her father to her way
of thinking. The red house was an in
tolerable OF struotion to Squire Turn
bulls cherished view of the south
downs and the sea. DR.. Massey owned
the red house and lived in it; therefore
DR.. Massey was not to be tolerated.
1t was not often that the two men en-
countered each other, and after their
first meeting they passed without notice.
On that first occasion DR.. Massey had
lifted his hat, but the squire had DELHI
erately turned his head aside, and the
hint had been taken.
About month after the doctor had
taken up his abode in the red house
the squire strolled down to the south
gate Of his grounds and went out into
the road to see his daughter mount her
bicycle, and after she had started he
strolled along little way that he might
get better view Of her as she swept
round bend of the road. The old
mans face glowed with pride and love
when she waved her hand to him and
vanished, and swinging swiftly round
he planted his foot on a round stone
which rolled on the hard road and threw
him violently to the ground.
II fear you have hurt yourself. May
/ help your" said voice beside him.
The squire looked up angrily and saw
that he had fallen near to the gate Of
the red house just as DR.. Massey was
coming out.
"Thank you, sir! I need no assist
anoe," he said haughtily.
As he spoke he scrambled hastily to
his feet and gave sudden cry of pain
as he put his wrenched foot to the
ground.
"You have hurt yourself more than
you think" persisted DR.. Massey.
"Here is my carriage. Let me drive You
home"
The squire was white to the lips with
pain, but his pride rebelled against &C.
oepting q favor from the owner of the
red house.
"Thank you'll" he repeated decidedly.
II can manage with my stick"
''.As you WILL" replied the other.
GOOD morning!'
He sprang into his carriage and drove
away, while the squire began his slow
and painful walk home. Reaching his
library, he sank into his easy chair,
with great beads Of sweat rolling down
his pale cheeks.
Having sent a servant for his own
doctor, he proceeded to battle and band
age his foot, and so busily was he en-
gagged in his amateur doctoring that he
did not hear the sound Of wheels on the
gravel without nor the connection of
many feet in the hall.
A sharp knock sounded on the door.
Come in' cried the squire, looking
up.
DR.. Gerard Massey entered, looking
grave.
Mr.. Turnbull's face flushed dusky red
with anger.
"How dare you come to see me unin-
vited?" he cried, flaring up passionately.
"Mr. Turnbull, replied DR.. Massey
quietly, II don't know why you hate
me so, but you must try to forget it
for your daughters sake. She has met
with severe accident. Luckily came
upon her as she fell from her machine,
and ] have brought her home.
Brought her homer" repeated the
squire slowly. rs she dead, thenr'
me, not dead, and trust she will
mot die, but she i In very critical