The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-06-21

mere IS clearly a doubt about the cor
reetness of the information. as far as
Mr. Aldersley is concerned and that
IS a point, a great point, in Mr.. Alder
sley favor. I give him the benefit Of
the doubt,as the lawyers say. Does Miss
Burnham give him the benefit of the
doubt, too? l hardly dare hope it, I
confess.
Miss BurnEam has grieved and
alarmed me- Mrs. Crawford answered.
- was just thinking of sending for
you, when we met here
With those Introductory rords she
told the doctor exactly what had hap
pened; repeating, not only the CONVEX
sation of that morning between Clara
and herself, but also the words which
had fallen from Clara in the trance of
the past night.
The doctor listened attentively.
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-
tlcal 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 Burnham,"
he answered, resignedly- 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
Il think you told me-" he began,
chat Miss Burnham has neither faith
er nor mother liying?"
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"
81 am seriously alarmed 1t is only
two days since l called here last-and
/ see a 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, I
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 a healthy and
haDpv woman of her But, as things
are. l own l 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 its influence on her body as well
as on her mind Unless we can check
the mischief her last reserve of
strength will give way. If you wish
for other advice, by all means send for
it. You have my opinion.
81 am quite satisfied with your opln-
ion Mrs. Crawford replied. 1T is
vour advice 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 Il 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
414 ,,o,, baua inst mentioned I'm