The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-18
WHERE The AIR QUIVERED.


q great interest In the circumstance.
Vivien was my oriy child. and her moth
er had died at her birth. She was a
handsome, bright, sensible girl. worthy
to be the wife OF any good fellow. ana
with az much pluck and common sense
as have ever seen in anyone.
Archie was a landed proprietor on a
small scale, and had not debt in the
world: his past was clean record. and
his future was as bright as health. in
telligence, and fair amount of money
could make 1t. He was devotedly at
tached to Vivien, and / gave my hearty
consent 10 the engagement.
1 am a doctor by profession. and thor
oughly enjoy the life. In the ordinary
course of things the physician comes
into close contact with the stranger and
rarer forms Of human nature. and being
myself lover of all that is out of the
common, this outlook weighed with NE
in my choice. After many years of hard
work l secured an enormous practice.
and when / settled down as specialist
in Harley Street was already wealthy
man.
On a certain warm evening in June ]
sat smoking at the open window of my
dining-r room when Vivien entered.
She held telegram in her hand.
This has Just come she cried. in
some excitement; lit is from Archie. He
has returned, and will be here this
evening.
She sat down as she spoke on the edge
OF the table, and put her slim hand af-
fectionately on my shoulder.
You won't be sorry to see him, vi.
will you9" was ray answer.
Sorry" she cried Il cannot tell you
how thankful am! You never supposed
i was nervous, did you, father; but the
Jack Fletcher. Oh. l know that Jack is
a right good fellow. but he is terribly
wild and daring Lately / have had most
uncomfortable dreams about both of
them. Yes. it is a relief to get this
telegram. Archie promises 10 call about
10 o'clock: how nice it will be to see
him again!'
Her bright eyes sparkled as she spoke.
and into them stole that radiant look
which girls wear when they speak OF the
man they love best on earth.
.'Ah! Vivien." 1 answered, there are
two sides to every question. Archie will
be taking you away, and what shall
do?"
You will have another home to go to-"
she replied. but her face suddenly be-
came grave.
II wonder what their adventures have
BEEN" she said. moment later.
They will tell YOU themselves before
another hour is OUT / answered. l
mantelpiece. yivfen gave quick sigh,
and stood up. She was in full evening
dress. of some soft. white texture, and
wore q bunch of yellow roses at her
belt.
Aunt Nary wishes me to go with her
to Lady Farrell's reception" she said;
but will be back, II possible, within
the hour"
We'll, go. my dear. and enjoy your
SELF" / answered. standing up and kiss
ing her. IF Archie should arrive be-
fore you are back, will get him to wait.
She slowly left the room. l lay back
in my chair and thought over my girls
prcenects. The moments few quickly.
Shortly aite- 10 o'clock l heard the hall
doorbell ring, and the next instant Archie
burst into the room.
Here you are. old fellow. and you are
welcome" / said. grasping him by the
hand.
He came to me hurriedly; his dress was
III
wore a wild and terribly disturbed ex-
preston. To my hearty grip of the hand
he scarcely responded.
rs anything wrong?" said, giving him
q quick glance.
Il am in awful trouble" was the re-
ply. us vivien in?"
mo, she is ont with her aunt, but she
got your telegram. and will be back al
most Immediately"
II cannot see her: not just yet. Do
you mind IL lock the door?"
what is wrong my dear fellow"
"Oh. ] am in terrible trouble he re-
peated. He strobe across the room as
he spoke. turned the key in the lock. and
then sank into the nearest chair.
81 want your advice and help badly,
Or. Kennedy" he continued.
But. my dear boy. what is the mat
ter? What has happened"
He raised his sunburnt face and looked
At me gravely.
Poor Jack is dead, he said then, in
broken sort of voice
Jack Fletcher" / cried. springing to
my feet.
Yes. he died an hour ago, quite sad
denly, at the Savoy Hotel. in his room.
We got in to London all right at 6 o'clock
and drove of to the Savoy at once. l
never saw Jack in better spirits. We went
to our rooms and had wash and sat
down to dinner at half-past z. AT hall
past he went to his room for something.
He did not come back, and after time
I followed him. found his door locked.
and called to him. but he made no reply.
In great alarm ! went for help, and we
had the door burst open. Jack was lying
on the floor. Everything was done. If
course A doctor happened to be in the
house who applied restoratives, but it
was too late; he was quite dead. My God,
1t is awful. 1 don't seem able to think. |
You must think for me. and come to the |
Savoy at once to see to things. What !
can have caused his death? You Will
come round. won't your
Eyes, I'll come" 1 replied. "fll just
scribble a note to Vivien first. II is
fearfully sad. Death must have been
caused by heart failure. of course"
L scrubbed few words on card laid
It on the table to be given TO my daugh-
ter, and then went into the hall. few
moments later Archie and were on our
way in hanson to the Savoy.
''of course. there will be an inquest,
he said, land you will be present, wont |
you, DR.. Kennedy? The death must have |
been due to natural causes
why, of course i answered, looking |
round at him in some surprise. What |
do you mean"
'.Oh. nothing. nothing" he said, only |
L seems SO strange. He was in the best of |
health and spirits"
"All the same there may have been le- |
sion of the heart" l answered; but We |
shall soon know. You say you found the |
,oor of his room locked?"
''Yes. fast. and the key was within; the
window was open, though"
What had that to do with it?"
Nothing" Archie hung his head. Pain
ul as the occasion was. his gloom and de-
PRESTON seemed greater than the circum-