The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-07-13

WhOh l. IC-
-@Sl4SSN5- ceived summons
EyYG by telegram to go
%N@ and take temporary
charge of practice
in the suburbs OF Bradford. The ad-
dress was that of DIR. Wolford, who
had died suddenly two days before,
but beyond this 1 had no information.
| was met at the Bradford Midland
station by surly looking individual,
who, saying that his name was Sug-
den, and that he was the late DR..
Wolford's dispenser, at once suggest
cd that we should go and have drink.
l looked sharply at the man, and
what saw prompted me to decline,
on the plea that 1 must look after my
luggage. 1 have formed the habit Ia
dangerous one, by the wayl of judg.
ing by first impressions, and already
knew that 1 should dislike this man.
| concealed this feeling, however, and
during the drive from the station en-
deavored to learn something about the
manner of DIR. Wolford's death; but
as received only monosyl!abic replies
from my companion, l soon gave up
the attempt at conversation.
On our arrival at the house 1 was al
once shown into the dining room,
where Mrs. Wolford was waiting to
receive me.
"Oh, DIR. Meldrum!" she cried, as
she came forward to greet me; "you
can't think how glad am to see you
I've been counting the hours till you
could be here"
The warmth of this welcome rather
surprised me, but l murmured some
suitable reply, and expressed my re
gret for the sad occurrence which had
made my presence necessary. At the
mention of her husbands name Mrs.
Wolford's eyes filled with tears.
"Yes," she said, simply; ''it was
very sudden, and very, very cruel. y
And then, with sudden keen glance
up into my face, she added: care you
clever, DIR. Northumberland in your
profession, mean; because there is 0
problem in this house to be solved
that will need clever man. Oh, DR.
Medium, 1 wonder whetheryou know
what it is to be without friend whom
you can trustp
At this point she showed signs oi
breaking down altogether, but with Q
strong effort restrained herself. "You
wonder why 1 ask you these ques
tions?" she went on. "You think me
hysterical-but I'm not, doctor"
"No," said l, though in point Of
fact 1 did think so. "Irecognize thai
you are anxious that your husband,
practice should be in competent hands
and from what l have seen OF the dis
penser-"
She interrupted me with a gesture
cts not that" she said, impatiently
and then, after slight pause: cdr
Meldrum, Pm afraid!"
"Afraid?" said 1. "Of what?"
"Afraid for my boys life-and m,
own."
The terror in her voice as she sale
these words was very real.
''Is your son ill?" / asked.
eyes. Will you come and see hin
now? There is just time before din
ner."
/ expressed my readiness, and W,
went upstairs to the boys bedroom
On the way Mrs. Wolford explained
that this was her only child, ten yeart
old; and added, tearfully that if sh,
were to lose him too, as well as he
husband, she would die. We fount
the boy sleeping quietly; withou
waking him / took his temperature
but found no indication of feverish
ness, and this, 1 pointed out to hi
mother, was, in child, fairly con
elusive proof that at present there wa
not much the matter.
"Thank heaven for thatl" she said
earnestly.
"What do you fear?" l asked.
There was a sound of some on
opening aud shutting the door of th,
room next to the one in which w
were. The footsteps came along tn
passage and paused at our door. In
stead of answering me, Mrs. Wolford
who seemed to be listening intently
wrote with her finger on the counter
pane the one word 'sPoison!"
Then we heard the footsteps pas
on, and go downstairs.
Come" said Mrs. Wolford, after
slight pause; "when you have washe
we will go down to dinner. You mus
be hungry, and l just now heard MI
Sugden leave his room, SO he'll b
waitingfo for us. d"
After my experience in the cab
quite expected that the conversation
at dinner would be mostly betwee
Mrs. Wolford and myself; but in thi
was wrong, for Sugden who in th
presence of the lady seemed quite t
have thrown off the eccentric morost
ness of manner which 1 had put dow
to semi-intoxication talked continu
ously and well, and proved himself a
exceedingly interesting and well-ir
formed companion-so long, that il
as Mrs. Wolford remained with ui
| Aa asIo., bowavar as she had left th