The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1897-11-05

hO dOSbOl llolChCo oSeShbi'NiJ
Little by little, it's easy smiling COM
posture vanished from his face as Mrs.
Crawford went on, and left him COM
pletely transformed into a grave and
thoughtful man.
Let us go and look at her." he said
He seated himself by Clara's side,
and carefully studied her face, with his
hand on her pulse. There was no SYM
pathy here, between the dreamy mys-
teal temperament of the patient and
the downright practical character of
the doctor. Clara secretly disliked her
medical attendant. She submitted i'm
patiently to the close investigation OF
which he made her the object. He
questioned her, and she answered irri-
tably Advancing a step further (the
doctor was not easily discouraged he
adverted to the news Of the eXpedi-
ton, and took up the tone of remon-
strances that had been already adopted
by Mrs. Crawford. Clara declined to
discuss the question. She rose with
formal politeness, and requested per-
mission to return to the house. The
doctor attempted no further resist
ance. by all means, Miss Durham"
he answered, esignedly-having first
cast look at Mrs. Crawford which said
plainly, Stay here with me-" Clara
bowed her Acknowledgements in cold
silence, and left them together. The
doctors bright eyes followed the girls
wasted, yet still graceful figure, as it
slowly receded from view, with an ex-
preston Of grave anxiety, which Mrs.
Crawford noticed with grave misgiving
on her side. He said nothing until
Clara had disappeared under the We
randa which ran around the garden
side of the house.
II think you told me-" he began,
chat Miss Burnham has neither faith
err nor mother living?"
Eyes. Miss Burnham Is an orphan"
HAS she any near relatives?"
mo. You may speak to me as her
guardian and her friend. Are you
alarmed about herr"
II am seriously alarmed. It is only
two days since l called here last-and
see marked change in her for the
worse. Physically and morally a
change for the worse. Don't needless
ly alarm yourself The case is not, l
trust entirely beyond the reach of rem
edy. The great hope for us is in the
hope that Mr.. Aldersley may still be
living. In that event, / should feel
no misgivings about the future. Her
marriage would make healthy and
happy woman of her. But, as things
are, | own I dread that settled convic-
ton in her mind that Mr. Aldersley is
dead, and that her own death is soon
to follow. In her present state of
health, that idea (haunting her. as it
certainly will, day and night, will
have it's influence on her body as well
as on her mind. Unless we can check
the mischief her lat reserve of
strength will give way. If you wish
for other advice, by all means send for
it. You have my opinion"
IT am quite satisfied with your opin-
ion," Mrs. Crawford replied at is
your advice l want. For Gods sake,
tell me what we can do"
1--WE can try a complete change"
said the doctor. 1--WE can remove her
from this place"
"She will refuse to leave it," Mrs.
Crawford replied. II have more than
once proposed a change to her-and
she always says No."
The doctor paused for a moment,
like a man collecting his thoughts.
81 heard something on my way here"
he proceeded, which suggests to my
mind a method of meeting the difficult
ty that you have just mentioned. I'm
less am entirely mistaken Miss Burn
ham will not say no to the change 1
have in view for her."
What is it?" asked Mrs Crawford,
eagerly.
Pardon me if / ask you a question
on my part, before l reply" said the
doctor. Are you fortunate enough
to possess any interest at the admiral
tyr"
Certainly. My father is in the Sec
retary's office-and two of the lords of
the admiralty are friends Of his"
Excellent Now, 1 can speak out
plainly with little fear of disappoint-
ing you. After what l have said, you
will agree with me that the only
change in Miss Burnham's life which
will be of any use to her is a change
that will alter the present tone of her
mind on the subject of Mr.. Aldersley.
Place her in a position to discover-not
by reference to her own distempered
fancies and visions, but by reference
to actual evidence and actual fact
whether Mr.. Aldersley is or is not a
living man; and there will be an end
of the hysterical delusions which now
threaten to fatally undermine her
health. Even taking matters at their
worst-eyen assuming Mr.. Aldersley
has died in the Arctic seas-it will be
less injurious to her to discover this
positively than to leave her mind to
feed on its own morbid superstitions
and speculations for weeks and weeks
together, while the next news from the
expedition is on its way to England.
In one word. want you to be in a
position. before the week is out, to put