The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-07-01
HAD fallen from Clara in the trance OF

The doctor listened attertively.
Little by little, its easy smiling COM
posure vanished from his face as Mrs
Crawford went on, and left him com.
pletely transformed into 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
nand on her pulse. There was no SYM
pathy here, between the dreamy mys-
tical temperament of the patient and
the downright practical character OF
the doctor. Clara secretly disliked her
medical attendant. She submitted in-
patiently to the close investigation of
| whcs ne r,ale her the object. He
questioned her, and she answered irri-
tably. Advancing a step further (the
doctor was not easily discourageD he
adEerted 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
lowed 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
raEda Which ran around the garden
side of the house,
Il think you told me-" he began,
that 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"
Il am seriously alarmed. It is only
two days since l called here last-and
I see 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, 1
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 healthy and
happy woman Of her. But, as things
are, own dread that settled convic-
tion 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 mighty, will
have its influence on her body as we'll
as on her mind. Unless we can check
the mischief her last reserve of
strength will give way. II you wish
for other advice, by all means send for
it. You have my opinion"
II am quite satisfied with your opin-
ion." Mrs. Crawford replied. ut is
your advice I want. For Gods sake,
tell me what we can do"
1--WE can try complete change"
said the doctor. 1--WE can remove her
from this place."
"She will refuse to leave it," Mrs.
Crawford replied. II 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
ty that you have just mentioned. I'm
less am entirely mistaken, Miss Burn
ham will not say no to the change 1
have in view for her,
"What is it," asked Mrs. Crawford,
eagerly.
Pardon me If ask you a question
on my part, before 1 reply" said the
doctor. "Are you fortunate enough
to possess any interest at the admiral
ty?"
Certainly. My father is in the Sec
retary's office-and two of the lords of
the admiralty are friends of his"
Excellent! Now, I can speak out
plainly with little fear of disappoint-
ing you. After what have said, you
will agree with me that the only
change in Miss Burnham's life which
will be of any use to her is change
that will alter the present tone of her
mind on the subject OF Mr.. Aldersley.
Place her in a position to discover-not
by reference to her. own distempered
fancies and visions. but by reference
to actual evidence and actual fact
whether Mr.. Aldersley is or is not
living man: and there will be an end
Of the hysterical decisions which now
threaten to fatally undermine her
health. Even taking matters at their
worst-eyen assuming Mr.. Aldersley
has died in the Arctic seas-it will be
less injurious to her to discover this
positively than to leave her mind to
feed on its own morbid superstitions
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