Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-11-12
CHAPTER X.

dark-cycd We,shwoman who had come to
the door of her little scmi-,lctachcd villa
10 a. mpr DR.. Foote's knock. But he is
the ! lticntcst creature | ever saw" she
went on. Us the young surgeon cntcrcd;
che never complains"
And yc, he must be in great pain"
the doctor said thoughtfuly. "Hc is
alone. ! suppose. aud in bcd:"
I'm bed! Bless you. no. sir!' she re-
piled. vchcmcntiy. "Iic got up as usual
dress. lie wanted to go to the theater,
IL you'll believe me. sir: and doubt we
should not have prevented him. but that
he was that faint that he could not really
walk across the room."
"Thcy must do without him at the the
atcr," the doctor said. dccisively. He
will not be fit TO net for some days.
shall have TO brighten him into obedience.
l fOrcsec." aud he went quietly up the
staircase and knocked ut door on the
first floor.
As he did so. the sound Of voices within
ceased suddenly. some one said. Come
inw and. when the surgeon entered. he
found two men In the little sitting room,
one standing by the table In the center
Of the room. the other leaning back wear
lily In great armchair, carrying his right
arm In a sling. lie rose on the doctors
entrance, and greeted him with smile
and his outstrctched left hand, for which
he apOlogixed with a significant glance
at his right.
rs this the way you obey mcT the
young surgeon began, his keen perception
telling him plainly that the two men had
been discussing some exciting and dis.
agreeable topic before his entrance. Il
ordered you to remain In bed and keep
perfectly quiet"
III I had remained In bed, could not
have kept quiet" Mark Robson replied,
smiling. II am much more comfortable
up, doctor. Let me introduce Mr.. Wal
ter Bryant to you, DR.. Foote; his name
II perhaps familiar 10 you."
The doctor bowed civilly but coldly.
He had been playing at Stourton; but
he was not prepossesscd In his favor.
Mr.. Bryant acknowledged the inAroduc.
ton In q somewhat sullcn and Indifferent
manner, and took up his hat from the II.
bic near which he stood.
It'll look In again presently" he said,
with nod. I'VE must settle that matter,
Robson--and the sooner the better"
u don't quite see what there IL to settle;
4 concerns neither you nor me-" Mr.. Rob.
con returned quietly; but DR.. Foote no.
ticed how the pulse under his fingers
Quickened and saw the little frown Of pain
which crossed the actors face.
II must exercise my professional au.
thority," he said firmly, turning to Mr..
Bryant, ''and insist that you defer any
business, pleasant or the reverse, until
my patient 10 more fitted for 1t. Ny pro.
1essional reputation 10 at stake" he add.
Cd, with q smile, land an obscure medico
uke myself dares not risk II, you know"
Mr.. Bryant looked annoyed, but bowed
earelessly and left the room. A. the door
closed upon him, Mark Robson gave Q
Sish Of relief; and the surgeon smiled o.
be relinQuished his patients hand. II
wish ! had insisted on taking you home
with me-" he said kindly. II am sure my
eister and would have kept you quieter
than You can be here. You are more
fsverish this morning than l expected to
and you"
And then very gently and skillfully, he
tended the actors wounded arm and
shoulder, dressing It tenderly with def
1nSers; and his eyes frightened a. he
cav the expression Of relief which ap.
scared IN the dark, grave eyes Of the In.
3ured man, whom he had never seen be.
Bore the previous day, but In whom he
bad taken . strange interest-an interest
quite apart from the gallant deed that
bad made them acquainted with each 9TH
Or.
''Is that better--easier? he asked, %
Robson sank back on the cushions Of his
chair with . long-drs wn sigh Of relief.
much better, much easier, DOCTOR" the
actor answered cordially. Thank you,
doctor. When shall be able to 20 out p
"That will depend In great measure
on yourself" DR.. Foote replied. III you
keep very quiet, you may be able to get
about In week."
I'm weakY'
Eyes, In week. You look and speak
a. II you were rather disappointed; bat
assure you you may consider yourself
fortunate II ! allow you out then"
But It 10 impossible" Robson exclaim'
"a In some agitation. II cannot possibly
re will be impossible IL you agitate
yourself 10 much," interrupted the sur
geon. 1.-THE week will grow into q fort,
night"
"Are You spca king seriously, doctorY'
Most seriously" was the prompt an
swer. "Your hurt Is, although not dan
gerous, a serious one, and you must bs
careful, or / will not answer for the con
sequences"
The doctor fingered little longer. stay
Ing against his better judgment, for hi
patient seemed languid and weary. But
It was great temptation to Ernest FOote
to have u quiet chat with man so cul
tured and intellectual as Mark Robson
he had singular charm Of manner also
being graceful and dignifed, yet cordial
This was very fascinat ting to the y0unl
surgeon, who, well-bOrn and cultured him
self, had suffered not q little from thu
want of cOngenial society In the busy
manufacturing town. Their conversation
somehow drifted to Lord Elsdale's nice,
and heiress, Miss Hatton, and the doctor
stated that there was ruulOr that sh,
was engaged to young Lord Keith.
On his way out DR.. F00te saw Mr.
Evans, and impressed upon her that ever,
care should be taken to keep his patien
undisturbed, that no visitor likely to dis
turb or annoy him should be admitted
and the little WelshwOman, having prom
ised obedience, returned to her work O
cooking her husbands dinner. leaving tn,
duties Of concierge to her small maid.of
all-work.
In the sitting room Mark Robson hal
dysppsd his head upon his hand and "a
motipnless where the surgeon had lef