Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-11-13

favored with but few patients.
boarded with an elderly lady, whose
grandson cared for the garden and
stable. My boarding mistress was
precise and methodical in everything,
and was model of punctuality, so
one day set my watch, and the clock
in my little office, ten minutes fast, in
order to be prompt at meals when
at home. On the evening of that day,
just before the clock struck ten, my
telephone bell rang. I had only the
day previous had the instrument put
in, and hastened to answer my first
call. "Come Immediately to Millville,
20 High street. Take the 10 O'Clock
train"
SIT is too late for me to catch that
train, but will drive over with my
team if that will do. What is the
case?" I asked.
No reply. "Hellol" I called again,
but all was still. Then rang up the
central office.
'Please connect again with the
parties who called for DR.. Wildes," |
said.
mo one has called for DIR. Wildes, ="
answered the voice of the operator in
the central office.
''You must be mistaken, for have
just been talking with some one
through the telephone who wants me, u
was my reply.
1.-The wires must be crossed some
where. L will see if I can find out
where the trouble is, sir" came in q
sleepy voice from the central.
put on my hat and started toward
the stable, meeting Jimmy with Ian
tern in hand.
81 was just coming after you, doc.
tor" he said. "Your horse seems to
be dreadfully lame, and I can't find
out what ails her foot"
sent the boy to livery stable near
by to procure team for me, and was
bathing and bandaging my own horse
when I heard the whistle of the 10
o'clock train. Then, remembering
that my watch had been too fast,
muttered very unorthodox expires.
sion as l thought of the sixteen mile
drive must take in the cold March
night.
1 had hastened in doors and put on
a heavy ulster, when l heard the boy
drive up to my door with the team.
Again L went to the telephone, and
ringing up central" I inquired if he
had ascertained who had called for
DIR. Wildes.
81 cannot find that any one has
called for you this evening"" came the
reply over the wire.
Suspecting that somebody might be
trying to play joke on me, stepped
to the door and had the team returned
to the livery stable.
seated myself in an easy chair by
the fire and after reading short time
fell asleep. L awoke just as my
clock was striking twelve, and as the
last stroke ceased my telephone agair
rang.
fastened to reply, and received
the call, Come to Millville on the
midnight train to 20 High street"
"Who wants me?" I asked, as
knew not soul in Millville.
received no reply, although rams
several times, and, putting on my
overcoat and cap, L seized my medi
cine case and hurried to the railroad
station, few rods away, where the
night train stopped on being signaled
Before 1 o'clock I had reached Mill
vile and found the place to which ]
had been summoned.
1t was an old-fashioned house, which
had been modernized by the addition
of bay windows in front, from one O
which shone faint light. hasteneG
up the steps, but before my hand
could touch the door it was opened
from the inside, and I passed in. A
very old lady, with pale face and snowy
hair, silently pointed ths3 the mex
room. 1 entered and found I was il
a good-sized apartment that seemed tc
be half parlor and half library. A
leather-covered lounge was drawn u,
before an open fire, and upon it lay
man of perhaps sixty years. An ugl,
cash was in the right side of his head
! which. with the partially dried blood