The sun., 1901-07-19
Dr.. Bottoms Patient
by John CASTOR.
7 zF m n 1iy If rs asf 7s 7E II
copyright, iSoi, by Authors syndicate.3

roaring CRATE fire and gave a sigh oil /
comfort. How well it seemed to be
at home, surrounded with books and
magazines, and conscious that he
would be disturbed by no call to go
out Id the STORM.
lie was just beginning to get used TO
his hew-found freedom. Six months
ago he had decided to retire from all
practice with the exception Of office
consultation and his work Mt the hog
pitfalls aud colleges. lie had worked
hard FOR 20 years and had attained
a large measure Of success. He found
himself at 43 with an income indie
pendent of his practice snf1iGleht to
maintain him In the way he desired
to live. After cutting OFF his outside
practice, there still remained a pro
fessional income of very respectable
proportions. So he had ordered the
telephone oft of his apartments ahd
given strict orders to his man that
under no circumstances should
summons be brought to him from a
patient, but to direct all messengers
to DIR. Sames, across the street. will,
whom he Ia = made arrihgements.
How he had enjoyed the long even
ings. He had reveled in the books he
had long wanted to read. He could
sit down secure i'm the assurance that
he would not he called out, In the midst
of the frat chapter. All these things
passed through DIR. Bottoms mind as
he gazed with half-closed eyes at the
rings of smoke from his cigar. He
glanced at the place where the tele-
phone used to be, and chuckied aloud
at the thought that no internal ting
a-ling" could call him from his fire.
All that was necessary to complete his
contentment was wife. For DR.. Boil.
ton had never found time in his busy
life to marry. Now If
"Clang! clang! clang!" went the
door bell. The doctor chuckled again
at the thought that James knew 1t
was worth his position TO let any sum
mons eoiiie TO him.
/ There was a sound of words in the
hall. They grew louder and finally
threatening. Then "A masterful voice /:
81 tell you I will see him. Stand
aside" Then heavy fall, and the door
opened and tall man of striking ap-
pearance, stylshly dressed, stepped
into the room.
DR.. Bolton had sprung to his feet al
the sound of the fall and his hand had
instinctively grasped the poker.
.Do not be alarmed, DIR. Bolton.
am not burglar nor a crank. simply
must see yoti for a moment, and your
man is certainly faithful. congratu
late you."
"Well, sir?" replied the doctor, in I'M
compromising tones, dropping til,
poker.
IA most serious calamity has oc
Cured. A young woman-my cousin
and aflianced wife-has accdentall,
taken dose of poison. She simp1,
must not die. come to you, knowing
that you bear the highest reputation
in such cases. ! beseech yon TO com,
with me. | know you will not do it fo1
money; but you can name your owl
fee. / beg you in the name pf hi
manity."
The doctor involuntarily began tt
remove his smoking jacket. Then h
frowned and paused, one sleeve off.
at is in absolute opposition to m,
resolution"
81 know. Make this nm exception
, For Gods sake come and be quick"
"There are other physicians" re
piled the doctor, argumentatively
"No other will do in this ease. Come
don't delay" The stranger made
quick, impatient gesture.
Under the commanding gaze of til
wonderful black eyes the doctor re
moved his smoking jacket and an in
night, with his long-neglected med
, cine case.
A carriage was i'm waiting and th
, driver drove with reckless speed III
: der the commands of the stranger.
"My name is Vincent Dupont" sal
he, briefly. MY cousin is Miss Virgini
a Blake. She is at my house. 243 Thirt,
seventh street. IT is not far" Th
! doctor recognized the names as bt
! longing to families of distinction.
: They were met by Dupont's sister,
i tall, stately woman, with the sam
4 masterful black eyes and the same in
4 perious manner as the brother. Thel
was something about both which +,
q PEELED DIR. Bolton. There was an a
! mosphere of restraint and coldne:
about the house, too, and subser
! ience of the servants which the phys
. clan could not fail to feel.
n He went at his work silently and a
q sorbed, as was his habit. The patieI
i was fair young girl of 1s, worn N
Il thin, with great black circles und,
her eyes, and frightened eXpressc
q on her face, even in unconsciousness
Is DIR. Bolton noticed that during h
II work either the brother or sister W;
Il always at his side. He was never lie
,e alone with the patient. It was appa
ent to him at once that the case ";
Is not so serious as the Duponts feare
i but his interest was aroused and
n determined to find out the true j
ie wardness of the situation. So he p
n on grave face and shook his he;
at ominously.
k "Don't tell me it is hopeless, doctor
IN cried Dupont. "She must be saved.
al tell you she must. Do you want cou
sel?"
III "T think we may be able to pull h
er through. but it is very bad" repli
ne the doctor. "No, can do all that @
mt be done. Tt all depends on her rail
" ing power"