Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1897-07-27
A MIDNIGHT DRIVE.

Some years ago was sadly in need
of a change into the country, and, most
opportunely, doctor in Arlington was
| anxious to winter abroad, so took his
| practice for six months
Arlington was picturesque little
! place some five miles from the sea. The
people were most friendly and gave me a
hearty welcome Immediately. DIR. Sew
ard, whose substitute l was, kept a
smart little horse and buggy. The wealth
er being unusually fine for the time of
year, immensely enjoyed tho driving,
for the country was new to me.
One day as l was returning home,
when it was beginning to grow dusk,
my eye was caught by the glow of. the
setting sun ON the windows of a house
standing ON rather high ground near
the sea. sl..;... 7.,l.. ..--s -sl
1t was an old red brick house and
seemed much out of repair, t.sus
Turning to my driver 1 asked him
who owned the place. 1T is called The
Laurels, " was his reply. 1 was surprised
at the curt speech, for usually he was
very taIlative. Just then we turned n
corner, and it was lost from sight. The
matter then passed from my mind en-
tirely. Soon after that the weather grew
wild and stormy so that my long drives
became nuisance instead of pleasure,
and ON the evening of April 1 came in
at z, really thankful that my days
work was over This Thought gave me
the greatest comfort, and after dinner
1 settled myself i'll a large armchair
drawn up to the blazing hearth and re-
signed myself to Il cup of excellent coffee
and good cigar The long, cold drive
had made me drowsy, and soon, in spite
of my interest, fell sound asleep and
dreamed of my school days. 4as
l was awakened by the violent ring
ing of the surgery bell-an agitated
sound, as though the ringer had been
kept waiting some time and was grow
ing angry. F'-
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 the haloed moon. By the
fickering light of the hall lamp saw
young man, muffied in dark cloak.
He looked about 20, and his dark, hand
some face seemed pale and disturbed.
"You are a surgeon?'' he said abrupt
ly, stretching out his hand. .
I noticed that there was o bloodstain
ed handkerchief twisted round his wrist,
and SO concluded he had met with an
accident and needed my attention, so /
said: 'tYes, come inside. The wind will
extinguish the lamp, and have no
matches about me. - u4T....y q.
81 want you to come with me at
once. My brother has met with an acci-
dent. It is matter of life and death
Come
''Where?' 1 asked hurriedly, shiver-
ing with cold, for he would not come in.
ITO The Laurels. / implore you to
make haste, . was the agitated answer.
"Your nume?" asked in despair, for
The Laurels was five miles away.
Guy Chilvers. Are you ready?
Come"
All could do was to step back into
the hall, put ON my furred 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 the
horse, for my man had gone to bed with
a cold. By its light studied his face
He had an almost faultless profile, with
a hard mouth and dark, restless eyes.
He looked rather like an actor. 1 could
not say whether liked his looks or not.
Seldom, if ever, have seen a face which
SO attracted and repelled me at the same
time
1 had expected my tired horse TO go
slowly, but to my surprise he seemed
unusually fresh, Ehied and even at
tempted to rear when my impatient Wis
itor laid his hand ON 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 1 thought
he would have landed us in a ditch.
AT last we reached rusty iron gate,
where Chilvers leaped oat, and, seizing
the horse by the bit. slipped the rein
over the post Then as l got down he
flung open the gate and pushed me in.
Quick" !" he said. "or we shall be
too latei"
The house looked dark and forbid
ding, but ray of light shone through
the door, which was ajar. felt strange
ly nervous and excited as 1 entered
What if this were a trap to rob and mur-
der me?
NV guide opened a door and disap-
peared from sight. leaving me alone In
the uncanny place, which was quite
unlike auy house / was ever in before
1 believe had he been gone one instant
longer 1 must have made the best Of my
way out into the dark drive and left my
patient to his fate, go unnerved had