The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-12-11
y0&z: or LERag|z1ES
49, -1ssxS-~ VA
CHAPTER I

the western SKY. There was something OF
sadness in the whole aspect OF nature.
The doctor evidently shared 1t. Inc lace
looking from the window was anything
but a cheerful one. He was to all lntehts
and purposes a disappointed man. 1ears
before, when his eyes were bright WIN
the fires of youth, and hope was strong
in his heart, he had invested such money
as he possessed in the purchase or prac-
tce at Castledene, and 1t had proved 10
be failure-why, no one eXactiv Knew.
Castledene was one of the prettlest httle
towns in Kent 1t had q tOwn-hall, mar
ket-place, a weekly market, and the re-
mains of a fine old castle; but 1t was prin-
cipaly distinguished for its races, year
" event which brought a great influx OF
visitors to the town. 1t was half buried
in foliage, surrounded by dense woods and
green hills, with clear, swift river run
ming by. The inhabitants were divided
into three distinct classes-the poor, VINO
gained a scanty livelihood by working IN
the fields, the shop-keepers, and the gen
try, the latter class consisting principally
of old maids and widows. ladies of UNI
blemshed gentiity and limited means.
Among the latter DR.. Letsom was not
popular He had an unpleasant fashion
of calling everything by its right name.
If a lady would take little more slim
ulant than was good for her, he could
not be persuaded to call her complaint
nervousness; when idleness and ennui
preyed upon a languid frame, he had
startling habit of rousing the patient by
mental cautery. The poor idollzed MN,
but the ladies pronounced him coarse,
abrupt, unpleasinG; and when ladies de-
eide against doctor, Fate frowns upon
him.
Matters were growing desperate,
thought DIR. Letsom on this autumn
night. as he stood watching the chrysan-
themums and the fading light in the west
ern sky. Money was becoming rare
commodity with him. His housekeeper,
Mrs. Galbraith. had long been evincing
signs of great discomfort. She had not
enough for her requirements-she wanted
money for a hundred different things
and the doctor had none to give her.
He was almost tired of the struggle
life had not been a grand success with
him; he had worked hard, yet nothing had
seemed to prosper. In his early youth
he had loved a bright, pretty girl, who
had looked forward to becoming his wife;
but he had never married, simply because
he had not had the means, and the pretty
girl had died sad. disappointed woman
Now, as he watched the stars, he fancled
them shining on her grave: he fancled
the grass waving above her head, 50 long
and cool, studded with large white daisies;
and he wished that he We're lying by her
side, free from care, and at rest.
He was turning away, with a feeling of
contempt for his own weakness, when he
was startled by the sound of 4 vehicle
driven furiously down Castle street. Ste
phen Letsom stood still and watched. lie
saw travelling carriage. with two horses,
driven rapidly up to the door Of the prin-
cipal hotel-the Castle ArmS-and there
stand for some minutes; but after a time
the horses heads were turned, and then,
like roll of thunder, came the noise of
the carriage wheels.
The vehicle drew up before his door,
and the doctor stood for few moments
as though paralyzed. Then came Il yio-
lent peal of the door bell: and he. know
ing that Mrs Galbraith had retired for
the evening, went to answer it. There,
indeed. in the starlight, were the hand
some travelling carriage, the pair of gray
horses. and the position. stephen Let
som looked about him like one in a dream.
He had been twenty years in the place,
yet no carriage had ever stopped at his
door.
He heard a quick impatient voice, say
ing:
Are you the doctor-Dr. Letsom?'
Looking in the direction of the sound,
the doctor saw a tall, distinguished look
ing man. wrapped in a travelling cloak
n man whose face and manner indca ted at
once that he belonged to the upper ranks
of society. DR.. Stephen LetsOm was
quick to recognize that fact.
II am the DOCTOR he replied quietly.
Then, for heavens sake, help me, |
an almost mad. My wife has been sud
denly taken i'll, and | have been to the
hotel, where they tell me they have not a
room in which they can lodge her. The
thing is incredible. You must help me-"
Il will do what l can" returned the
DOCTOR
Had fortune indeed knocked at his door
at last?
He went to the carriage door, and. look
ing inside, saw a lady, young and beau
tiful, who stretched out her hands to him.
as though appealing for help.
Il am very ILL., she moaned feebly.
DR.. LetsCm guessed so much from her
What is the matter with Your wife ~
he asked Of the strange gentleman, who
bent down and whispered something that
made DR.. Letsom himself look anxious
Now, DOCTOR" said the traveller 1T is
useless to raise objections You see how
the matter stands; my wife must stop
here. The hotel is full of visitors-people
who are here for the races. There is no.
where else for her TO go-she must stay
here"
Wait one moment said the doctor:
and he FASTENED To rouse his housckecper.
who, curious and interested, excrtcd her
self so as TO satisfy even the stranger.
Then the strange lady. all white and
trembling. was helped down from the car
riage into the doctors shabby little par
Tor.
Am going to die?" she asked. raising
her large blue eyes TO the doctors face.
"Certainly not" he replied. promptly;
You must not think of dying"
Have you any brandy in the houseT'
askt! the traveller. See how my wife
trcmb'cS."
Alas for the poor doctor, There was
neither brandy nor wine. With an imua-
tient murmur. the stranger called to the
position and sent him 10 the Castle Arms
with such an order as made Mrs Gal
braith open her eyes in wonder. Then.
without seeming to notice the doctor or
his servant, he dung himself on his knees
~ the Iady's side, and kissed the beauti-
ful white face and colorleSs lips
My darling" he cried. this is my
fault. ! ought not to have asked you Ia
undertake such 4 journey. Can you ever
forgive mo-"
y on did n II f.r tSo LeS- uuha-t h,