The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1897-03-19
1AiSccllanEpm5.
THE RED HOUSE.


ed upon the squire 5 irascible tsmpera-
ment like the red rag of the pToverb,
and he never caught sight of il with
out flushing angrily and bursting
forth into II volley of furious epithets
against its owner.
If the builder had Only chosen q 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 piece of land for mere
song But that he should have plant
ed lis ugly, staring, modern villa eX-
actly in front Of the squire windows,
interrupting his faYorite view of the
south downs and the sea, was an I'M
bearable piece of irupertinence. But
this land at the south did not belong
t. the squire and his rage W ineiTec-
t lal.
Now, Mabel Turnhull, tie sQuire's
only daughter a lovely girl of 10, was
interested i'll 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 IL reputation for cleverneSs in the
neigh borhood, but because she had
once come upon him in a country lane.
and unseen he rself, 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, using his own hand
kerchief us Il bandage, and when he
further cOmfOrted his little patient
with = bright silver SiX-pence and Il
kiss, Mabel Tnrnbull came TO the con
clusiCn that DIR. Gerari Massey was
"A man worth knowing. Bat she could
not bring her father to her way OF
thinking. The red house was an in
toler&ble obstruction 10 Squire Turn
bulls cherished view of the south
downs and the sea. DIR. Massey own-
ed the red house and lived in it; there
fore DIR. Massey was not to be toler-
ated.
1t was not often that the two men
encountered each other, and after
their first meeting they passed with
out notice. On the first occasion DIR.
Nj siey had lifted his hat, but the
squire had deliberately 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 to the south gate OF
the grounds and went out into the
road TO see his daughter mount her
bicycle, and after she had started lie
strolled along little way that he
might get Il better view of her as she
swept round bend of the road. The
old mans face glOwed with pride aud
love when she waved her hand to him
nd 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.
Il fear you have hurt yourself.
May | help you?' 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 | need no sSist-
ance," he said haughtiiy.
As he spoke he scrambled hastily to
his feet and gave "A 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.n
The squire was white to the lips
with pain, but his pride rebelled
against accepting favor from the
owner of the red house.
THANK you - he repeated decided
ly Il can manage with my stick
las you will" req lied 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 servant for his own
doctor, he proceeded to battle and
bandage his foot, and so busily was
he engaged in his amateur doctoring
that he did not hear the sound of
wheels on the gravel without nor the
commotion of many feet in the hall.
A sharp knock sounded on the door.
Come in y cried the squire, looking
up.
DR.. Gerard Massey entered, looking
grave.
Mr.. Turnbull's face flushed duskv
red with anger.
"HoW dare you come to see me I'M
invited ~ he cried, iiariug up passion
ately.
Mr.. Turnbull, " replied DIR. Massey,
QulellS, / uOH l. huOW WHY you nate
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.h
Brought her home ; repeated the
squire slowly. us she dead, then -
No, not dead, and 1 trust she will
not die, but she is in Il very critical
state and will need great care. Her
head has been severely injured, and
she is now unconscious.
The old man drew a long breath.
81 ought to apologize. fear have
been rude, and | must thank you for
! what you have done" he said. Then
he added stifIiy, II have sent for my
own medical man, DIR. Travers. to at
tend to this confuunded food of mine.
and | expect him every moment"
drawers has been called suddenly
to town and has left his patients in
my care" replied DIR. Massey. Il am
sorry but | fear you must put up with
me-tor your dear daughter 5 sake. /
! won't trouble you longer than | can
help. In the meantime let me make
YOU comfortable