Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-08-06
The Doctors Dilemma
BY Hesba Stretton


you catch at any chance of an acquaint-
ance."
Come, be candid with me-" l said.
did not Messrs. Scott and Brown send
you hereT
l. The suddenness Of my question took her
off her guard and startled her. She hesi-
tated, stammered, and finally denied it
with more than natural emphasis.
Il could take my oath l don't know
any such persons" she answered. Il
don't know who you mean, or what you
mean. All want is quite honest. There
is a fortune waiting for that poor girl,
and l want to take her back to those who
love her, and are ready to forgive and
forget everything. feel sure you know
something of her. But nobody except me
and her other friends have anything to
do with it."
Well" l said, rising to take my leave,
''all the information | can give you Is
that l never saw such a person here,
either last winter or since. 1t Is quite
possible she went on to Jersey, or to
Granville, when the storm was over.
That she did not stay in Guernsey am
quite sure"
/ went away in a fever of anxiety. The
woman, who was certainly not a lady,
had inspired me with a repugnance that
| could not describe. Surely this person
could not be related to olivia L tried
TO guess in what relationship to her she
could possibly stand. 1 felt more chafed
than | had ever done about Olivia's Sc
cret. / tried to satisfy myself with the
reflection that l had put Tardif on his
guard, and that he would protect her.
But that did not set my mind at ease. l
never knew a mother yet who believed
that any other woman could nurse her
sick child as we'll as herself; and could
not be persuaded that even Tardif would
shield Olivia from danger and trouble
as l could, if l were only allowed the
privilege. Yet my promise to Julia
bound me to hold no communication with
her.
l had strolled down some of the quieter
streets of the town whilst l was turning
this affair over in my mind and now as l
crossed the end of the Rue Haute,
caught sight Of Kate Daltrey turning
into a milliner's shop. There was every
reasonable proba bility that she would
not come out again soon, for saw bon
net reached out of the window. If she
were gone to buy a bonnet she was safe
for half an hour, and Julia would be
alone. | had felt a strong desire to see
Julia ever since l returned home. My
mind was made up on the spot. If
found her in a gentle mood she would
release me from the promise she had eX-
torted from me when she was in the
first heat OF her anger and disappoint-
ment 1t was a chance worth trying. If
l were free to declare to Olivia my love
for her, l should establish a claim upon
her full confidence. and we could laugh
at further difficulties. She was of age,
and therefore mistress of herself. Her
friends, represented by this odious wom-
an, could have no legal authority over
her.
/ turned shortly up a side street and
walked as fast as l could towards the
house which was to have been our home.
BY bold stroke l might reach Julia s
presence. ! rang, and the maid who an
swered the bell opened wide eyes of as
constituent at seeing me there. l passed
by quickly.
II wish to speak to Miss Dobree," l
said. rs she in the drawing rOomY'
Yes. sir" she answered, in q hesitat-
ing tone.
| waited for nothing more, but knock
ed at the drawing room door for myself,
and heard Julia call, Come in