Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-08-08
CoPRIGHTED, ISQz BY FERGUS HUME.


of mediocritics in London. The man
was dispassionate, brilliant. and perse-
Yering; he had in him the markings,
not only of a great physician. cat OF
great man; and he was wasting MS
gifts in dull provincial town. RE was
unpopular in Deanminster, owing TO
the absence of what is termed "a good
bedside manner" and the invalids OF
the Cathedral city and Hurstleish-for
he had patients in both places-resent-
ed his brusque ways and avoidance or
their scandal-mOngering tea parties.
Also, he was a mystery; than which
there can be no greater sin in provin-
cial ewes. No one knew who Etwald
was. or whence he came, or why he
wasted his talents in the desert OF
Deanminster; and such secret past,
which he declined to yield up to the
most persistent QuestiOner, accentuat-
ed the distrust caused by his sombre
looks and curt speeches. Provincial
society is intolerant of originality.
Etwald had become acquainted with
Jen professionally, and having cured
the Major of one Of his frequent at
tacks of ague, he had passed from be-
ing a mere medical attendant into the
closer relationship of a friend. The
boys had met him once or twice, but
neither of them cared much for his
sombre personality. and they were not
overpleased to find that the Major had
invited the man to meet them on the
occasion of this special dinner.
But Jen-good, simple souf-was
rather taken with Etwald's mysticism,
and, moreover, pitied his loneliness.
Therefore he welcomed this intellec-
tual pariah to his house and board;
and on this fine June evening Etwald
was enjoying an excellent dinner In
the company of three cheerful COM
panions.
Outside. the peaceful landscape was
filled with a warm amber light; and
this poured into the oak-panelled din
ing room through three French win
dOws which opened on to close-shaven
lawn. Dinner was at an end; Jaggard
the Majors valet, butler, and general
factOtum-had placed the wines before
his master, and was now handing round
cigars and cigarettes. All being con-
Guided to his satisfaction-nO easy at
tainment, for Jaggard, trained in mil
itary fashion, was very precise-he de-
parted, closing the door after him. The
warm light of the evening flashed on
the polished table-Major Jen was suf-
ficiently old-fashiOned to have the
cloth removed for desert-and lighted
up the four faces round 1t, with pale
SplendOr. This quartette Of counte-
nances is not unworthy of a detailed
description.
Major Jen's calls for least His face
was round and red, with a terrific
blonde mOustache fiercely curled. He
had merry blue eyes, sparse hair, more
than touched with grey, and an express
sion of good humOr which was the in
dex TO his character. Man, woman and
child trusted Jen on the spot, nor was
it ever said that such trust was mis-
placed. Even the most censoriouS
could find no fault with the frank and
kindly Major; and he had more friends,
and more pensioners, and fewer enc
mics than any man in the shire. Can
any further explanation be required Of
so simple and easily understood a char
acter?
Lieutenant Maurice Alymer was also
blonde, and also had blue eyes and a
iaunty mOustache, somewhat smaller
than his seniors. His hair was yellow
and curly. his features were boldly
cut. and his six foot of flesh and mus
Gle was straight and 1.-the. Athlete was
stamped strongly on his appearance;
and if not clever, he was at least sutfi-
GENTLY good looking and good natured
TO make him almost as popular as the
Major. Jen always maintained that
Maurice was the living image Of him
self when a dashing young officer out
in Ashantee: but as the good Major
was considerably under the middle
height and Maurice considerably over
il this statement must be accepted
with some reserve. Ii passed as one
of Jen's jokes. for mild quality OF
which he was noted.
The other two men had strong and
dark faces. which differed entirely from
the Saxon simplicity and good looks Of
the Major and Maurice. David was
clean shaven and almost as swart as Et-
valid and his expression was that Of be-
ing with powerful passions, he'd in
check by sheer force of will. He was
broad and strongly built; and his
smooth. black hair, parted in the mid
die. was brushed carefully from a bold
and rather prOtuberant forehead. The
Young barrister was somewhat Of a dan
DIV: but no one who once looked at his
face thought Of his dress affectations or
dapper appearance. They saw intellect,
pride and resOlute will stamped upon
the pale countenance. Men with such
faces end usually in greatness; and it
seemed unlikely that David Sarby, bar
rister and ambitious youth, would prove
an exception to the rule.
Lastly Etwald. It is difficult to de-
scribe the Undesirable. He was aus
tere in face, like Dante, with hollow
cheeks. and a palid hue which told Of
studies. If he had passions,
they could not be discerned in his fea-
lures Eye and mouth and general eX-
pensions were like a mask. What ae-
tually lay behind that mask no one ever
knew. for it was never OF. His slight
~ hollow chest. his lean and nervous
uduUS, anu q SuOCh VI AdtuSi 4olS Cu4l-
ing hair tossed from high forehead,
gave Etwald the air Of a student But
there was something sinister and menac-
ing in his regard. He looked danger
0us. and more than a trife uncanny.
Physically, mentally, morally. he was.
an enigma to the bovine inhabitants Of
Dealminster and Hurstleigh.
Major Jen sustained the burden Of
for Maurice was absent
minded, and David. physiognomically
inclined - was silently attempting TO
read the inscrutable countenance Of Ell