The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-04-07
A MIDNIGHT DRIVE.

Some years ago was sadly in need
of change into the country, and, most
OPPORTUNITY, doctor in Arlington was
anxious to winter abroad, so took his
practice for six months.
Arlington was Il picturesque little
place some five miles from the sea. Tho
people were most friendly and gave me ~
hearty welcome Immediately. DIR. Sew
ard, whose substitute 1 was, kept a
smart little horse and buggy. The wealth
er being unusually fine for the time of
year, l immensely enjoyed the driving,
Tor the country was new to me.
One day MS 1 was returning home,
when it was beginning to grow dusk,
my ego was caught by the glow of tho
setting sun on the windows of house
standing OH rather high ground near
the sea.
1t was an old red brick house and
seemed much out of repair.
Turning to my driver I asked him
who owned the place. sit is called The
Laurels, was his reply Twas surprised
at the curt speech, for usually he was
very talkative. Just then we turned
corner, and it was lost from sight. The
matter then passed from my mind en-
tlrely. Soon after that the weather grew
wild and stormy, SO that my long drives
became a nuisance instead of pleasure,
and OH the evening Of April 1 I came in
at z, really thankful that my DAYS
work was over. This thought gave me
the greatest comfort, and after dinner
I settled myself i'll largo armchair
drawn up to the blazing hearth and re-
signed myself to II cup of excellent coffco
and good cigar. The long, cold drive
had made me drowsy, and soon, i'll spite
of my interest, fell sound asleep and
dreamed of my school days.
was awakened by tho violent ring
ing of the surgery bell-an agitatcd
sound, as though the ringer had been
kept waiting some time and was grow
ing angry.
The clock was just striking II, so
must have slept for nearly two hours;
then, remembering that the housekeeper
must have gone to bed, reused myself
and went to the door.
The rain had ceased, but heavy clouds
were scudding across the sky, partially
obscuring tho halocd moon. BY tho
Pickering light of the hall lamp saw
Il young man. muffled in dark cloak.
He looked about 20, and his dark, hand
some face seemed pale and disturbed.
You arc surgeon?' he said abrupt
~, stretching out his hand.
1 noticed that there was bloodstain-
cd handkerchief twisted round his wrist,
Ind 1,A al.
accident and needed my attention, so 1
said: Yes, come inside. The wind will
extinguish the lamp, and I have no
matches about me.
Il want you to como with me at
once. My brother has met with an acct
dent. 1t is a matter of life and death.
Come"
"Where?" 1 asked hurriedly, SILVER
ing with cold, for he would not come in.
To The Laurcls. I implore you to
make haste" was the agitated answer.
Your manner" asked i'll despair, for
The Laurels was five miles away.
Guy Chilvers. Arc you ready?
Come
All 1 could do was to step back into
the hall, put Oh my furrcd coat, and
ask him to wait while 1 harnessed the
horse. He agreed to this and accompa-
MED me to the stable, even Offering to
hold the lantern while / attended to tho
horse, for my man had gone to bed with
Il cold. By its light studied his face.
He had an almost faultless profile, with
il hard mouth and dark, restless eyes.
He looked rather like an actor. could
not say whether liked his looks or not.
Seldom, If ever, have seen face which
SO attracted and repealed me at the same
time.
L had expected my tired horse to 60
slowly, but to my surprise he seemed
unusually fresh, SHE'D and even at
tempted to rear when my impatient Wis
itor laid his hand OH him. 1t was with
difficulty that L harnessed him at all.
The horse had always been perfectly
quiet and steady before, but several
times during that lonely drive / thought
he would have landed us III IL ditch
AT last we reached rusty iron gate,
where Chilvers leaped ont, and, selling
the horse by the bit, slipped the rein
over the post. Then as got down he
flung open the gate and pushed me in.
Quick, " he said, cor we shall be
too late!'
The house looked dark and forbid
ding, but IL ray of light shone through
the door, which was ajar. l felt strange
~ nervous and excited as | entered.
What II this were Il trap to rob and muir
der me:
My guide opened door and disap-
nearcd from sight. leaving me alone i'll
the uncanny place, which was quite
unlike amy house L was ever III before
believe had he been gone one instant
longer l must have made the best of my
way out into the dark drivc aud loft MY