Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-02-18

thaxar Walker was very well known
name In the medical world. Did not his
qualifications, his membership. and the
record OF his writings fill a long hall
column In the Medical Directory" from
his first little paper on the "Gouty
Diathesis" in 1859 to his exhaustive
treatise upon Affections Of the Vase
Motor System" In 1884? A successful
medical career which promised to end
In presidentship Of college and a
baronetcy. had been cut short by his
sudden inheritance of considerable
sum from grateful patient. which had
rendered him Independent for life. and
had enabled him to turn his attention
to the more scientific part Of his profess
sion, which had always had greater
charm for him than its more practical
and commercial aspect. To this end he
had given up his. house in Weymouth
street, and had taken this opportunity
of moving himself. his scientific instru-
ments and his two charming daughters
Che had been widower for some years.
into the more peaceful atmosphere OF
Norwood.
There was thus but one villa unoc-
cupied, and 1t was no wonder that the
interest. which deepened into a dire
apprehension, the curious incidents
which heralded the coming of the
new tenants. They had already learned
from the agent that the family consist
ed of two only, Mrs. Westmacott. a
widow and her nephew. Charles West
macott. How simple and how select it
had sounded! Who could have foreseen
from it these fearful portents which
seemed to threaten violence and dis
cord among the jewellers in The Wilder
ness: Again these two old maids cried
in heartfelt chorus that they wished
they had not sold their field
We'll, at least, Monica" remarked
Bertha. as they sat over their teacups
that afternoon, however strange these
people may be, it is our duty to be as
polite to them as to the others"
Most certainly" acquiesced her sis
ter.
"Since we have called upon Mrs. Hay
Denver and upon the Misses Walker,
we must call upon this Mrs. Westma-
colt Also"
Certainly, dear. AS long as they are
living upon our land I feel as If they
were in sense our guests. and that it
is our duty to welcome them"
Then we shall call tomorrow" said
Bertha, with decision.
Yes. dear, we shall. But, oh, wish
it was overt"
At o'clock on the next day. the two
maiden ladies set off upon their hospit-
able Grand. In their stiff, cracking
dresses of black silk. with jet-be-
spangled jackets, and little rows Of
cylindrical grey curls dropping down
on either side Of their black bonnets.
they looked like two old fashion plates
which had wandered off into the wrong
decade. Half curious and half fearful,
they knocked at the door OF number
three, which was instantly opened by a
red-headed page boy.
Yes, Mrs. Westmacott was at home.
He ushered them into the front room,
furnished as drawing room, where in
spite of the fine. spring weather large
fire was burning in the crate. The boy
took their cards, and then. as they sat
down together upon settee he set their
nerves in thrill by darting behind
curtain with a shrill cry, and prodding
at something with his foot. The bull pup
which they had seen upon the day be-
fore bolted from its hiding place and
scuttled snarling from the room.
1T wants to get at Eliza" said the
youth, in confidential whisper. Mas
ter says she would give him moren he
brought" He smiled affably at the two
little stiff black figures, and departed
in search of his mistress.
"What-what did he say?" gasped
Bertha
Something about a. Oh, goodness
gracious! Oh, help, help, help, help
help" The two sisters had bounded on
to the settee, and stood there with star
ing eyes and skirts gathered in, While
they filled the whole house with their
yells. Out of a high wicker work basket
which stood by the fire there had risen
fiat, diamond shaped head Win
wicked green eyes which came 1llcker-
ing upwards, waving gently from sac
to side, until foot or more OF glossy
scaly neck was visible. Slowly the VI
cious head came floating up, While at
every oscillation fresh burst of shrleKs
came from the settee.
What in the name Of mischief!
cried a voice, and there was the mis-
tress of the house standing in the door
wa!'. Her gaze at first had merely TAX
en- in the fact that two strangers were
standing screaming upon her red plush
sofa. A glance at the fireplace, now
ever, showed her the cause of the ter
ror, and she burst into hearty tit OF
laughter.
Charley" she shouted. there's Eliza
misbehaving again.
IN settle her. answered masculine
voice, and the young man dashed into
the room. He had a brown horse-cloth
in his hand, which he threw over the
basket, making it fast with piece OF
Irvine SO as to effectually imprison its
inbate while his aunt ran across to re-
assure her visitors.
1T is only rock snake" she ex-
lained.
"Oh. Bertha" "Oh, Monica" gasped
the poor exhausted gentlewomen.
She's Matching out some eggs. That
is why we have the fire. Eliza always
does better when she is warm. She Is
sweet, gentle creature, but no doubt she
thought that you had designs upon her
eggs. l suppose that you did not touch
any OF them?"
"Oh, let US get away, Bertha!' cried
Monica, with her thin, black-gloved
hands thrown forward in adherence.