Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-08-03
The Doctors Dilemma

by Hesba Stretton


thing when girl like that disappears
she has little difference with her
friends. II you could help me to find her
you would do her family q very great
service"
why do you fix upon meI' I inquired.
why did you not send for one Of the
resident doctors! I left Guernsey some
time ago."
you were here last winter" she said,
"and you're u young man. and would no
tice her more"
There are other young doctors In
Guernsey" remarked.
"Ah. but you've been In London" she
answered, "and know something of Dr.
Senior. When you are in u strange place
you catch at any chance Of an acquaint.
ance."
Come, be candid with me-" l said.
did not Messrs. Scott and Brown send
you here?"
The suddenness Of my question took her
off her guard and startled her. She hest
tated. stammered, and. finally denied 1t
with more than natural emphasis.
II could take my oath ! don't know
any such PERSONS" she answered. II
don't know who you mean, or what you
mean. All l want Is quite honest. There
Is u fortune waiting for that poor girl,
and want to take her back to those who
love her, and IRE 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,
UNV.,ti ~ Z ..s.1 .s.;,,.. o., toko mo lpavo
"all the information I can give you IL
that l never saw such person here.
either last winter or since. 1t IL quite
possible she went on to Jersey, or to
Granville, when the storm was over.
That she did not stay In Guernsey l am
quite sure"
went away In fever Of anxiety. The
woman, who was certainly not a lady,
had inspired me with a repugnance that
I 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. I felt more chafcd
than had ever done about Olivia's Sc
cret. I tried to satisfy myself with the
reflection that I had put Tardif on his
guard, aud Tat he would protect her.
But that did not set my mind ut ease. !
never knew mother yet who believed
that any other woman could nurse her
sick child as well as herself; and could
not be persuaded that even Tardif would
shield Olivia from danger and trouble
as could, II ! were only allowed the
privilege. Yet my promise to Julia
bound me to hold no communication with
her.
had strolled down some Of the Quieter
streets Of the town whilst l was turning
this affair over In my mind, and now as
crossed the end Of the Rue Haute,
caught sight Of Kate Daltrey turning
into q milliner's shop. There was every
reasonable probability that she would
not come out again soon, for saw bon.
net reached out Of the window. II she
were gone to buy bonnet she was safe
for half an hour, and Julia would be
alone. I had felt strong desire to see
Julia ever since returned home. My
mind was made up on the spot. IL
found her In a gentle mood she would
release me from the promise she had ex-
torted from me when she was In tho
first heat Of her anger and disappoint'
ment. It was chance worth trying. II
were free to declare to Olivia my love
u u
her full confidence. and we could laugh
ut further difficulties. She was Of age,
and therefore mistress OF herself. Her
friends, represented by this odious w0m-
an, could have no legal authority over
her.
l turned shortly up a side street and
walked as fast as ] could towards the
house which was to have been our home.
BY bold stroke might reach Julia's
presence. l rang, and the maid who an
swered the bell opened wide eyes of as
constituent ut seeing me there. passed
by quickly.
II wish to speak to Miss Dobree,"
said. "Is she In the drawing room?''
Eyes, sir" she answered, In a hesitat.
ing tone.
l waited for nothing more. hut knock.
ed at the drawing room door for myself.
and heard Julia call, "COme in"
CHAPTER XIV.
Julia looked very much the same as she
had done that evening when ! came 70.
luctantly to tell her that my heart was
not In her keeping. but belonged to an
other. She wore the same kind Of fresh
light muslin dress. with ribbons and lace
about 1t, and she sat near the window,
with piece Of needlework In her hands
yet she was not sewing. and her hands
lay listlessly on her lap. A mingled feel.
ing Of sorrow, pity and shame prevented
mo from advancing into the room. She
looked up to see who was standing In the
doorway, and my appearance there evil
IDENTITY alarmed and distressed her.
MARTHA she cried.
MAY come In aud speak to you. Ju'
lap I asked.
us my aunt worseT" she inquired hur'
riedly. "Are you come to fetch me ia
herY
mo, no, julia" ! said; my mother ID
as we'll a. usual, hope. But surely you
will let me speak to you after all this
| timer"
ut Is not a long time" she answered.
HAS II not been long to you?" asked
1T seems years to me. All life hal
changed for me. had no idea then Of
my mothers Illness"