The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1901-10-18
nHApTER xIII.

OdARIEh ALL.
In one sense time seemed to be stand
ing still with me after my home return,
so like were the days that followed the
one to the other. But in another sense
those days fed with awful swiftness, for
they were hurrying US both, my mother
and me, to a great gulf which would
soon, far too soon, lie between US.
Every afternoon Julia came to spend
an hour or two with my mother; but her
arrival was always formally announced,
and 1t was an understood thing that
should Immediately quit the room, to
avoid meeting her. There was an eti-
Quette in her resentment which l was
bound to Observe.
/ had not taken up any Of my old pa
tients again, for l was determined that
everybody should feel that my residence
at home was only temporary. But about
ten days after my return the following
note was brought to me, directed In fuil
to DIR. Martin Dobree:
"a lady from England, who is only a
visitor in Guernsey, will be much oblig-
ed by DIR. Martin Dobree calling upon
her at Rose Villa, Vauvert Road. She
is suffering from slight indisposition;
and knowing DIR. Senior by name and
reputation, she would feel great confi-
dence In the skill Of DR.. Seniors friend.
/ wondered for an instant who the
stranger could be, and how she knew the
Seniors; but as there could be no an
swer to these queries without visiting
the lady, | resolved to go. Rose villa
was house where the rooms were let to
visitors during the season, and the Vau-
vert Road was scarcely Ave minutes
walk from our house. Julia was paying
her daily visit to my mother, and ! was
at a loss for something to do, SO ! went
at once.
l found very handsome, fne-lookins
woman; dark, with hair and eyes as black
as a gypsy's, and clear olive complexion
to match. Her forehead was low, but
smooth and well shaped; and the lower
part Of her face, handsome as 1t was
was far more developed than the upper
There was not a, trace Of refinement
about her features; yet the coarseness Of
them was but slightly apparent as yet
My new patient did not inspire me witt
much sympathy; but she attracted my
curiosity, and interested me BY the boit
style of her beauty.
"You Guernsey people are very stiff
with strangers" she remarked, as sa
opposite to her, regarding her with tina
close observation which Is permitted to
doctor.
$50 the world says" answered. 20
course am no good Judge, for we Guern
sey people believe ourselves as perfec
as any class Of the human family"
II have been here week." she replied
pouting her full crimson lips, land have
not had chance of speaking word, ex
cept to strangers like myself who dom
know soul"
That, then, was the cause Of the littl'
lndispostion which had obtained me th'
honor of attending her. INDUCED my
self in a mild sarcasm to that effect, bu
it was lost upon her. She gazed at mi
solemnly with her large black eyes, whicl
shone like beads.
Il am really ILL.," she said, 'but 1t ha
nothing to do with not seeing anybody
though that's dull. There's nothing 70
me to do but take a bath in the mornin
and drive in the afternoon, and go t
bed very early. Good graciousl II
enough to drive me mad!"
"Try Jersey" I suggested.
"No, I'll not try Jersey" she said. 6
mean to make my way here. Don't 20
know anybody, doctor, that would tax
pity on poor strangerT
II am sorry to say no, answered.
She frowned at that and looked disaI
pointed. was about to ask her how sh
knew the Seniors, when she spoke again
do you have many visitors come
Guernsey late in the autumn, as late o
October2' she inquired.
mot many" / answered; a few ma
arrive who intend to winter here"
"a dear young friend of mine cam
here last autumn" she said, 'alone, a
/ am, and I've been wondering ever sine
I've been here however she would g
along amongst such set of stiff, forma
Etand-offish folks. She had not none
enough for dash, or that would make
difference, suppose"
mot the least" | replied, "if you
friend came without any introductions.
"What a dreary winter she'd have!
pursued my patient, with tone of exu
tation. "She was quite young, and q
pretty as a picture. All the young me
would know her, I'll be bound, and 70
amongst them, DIR. Martin, Any woma
who isn't fright gets stared at enoug
to be known again"
Could this woman know anything
Olivia? | looked at her more earnestl
and critically. She was not a person
should like Olivia to have anything I
do with. A coarse, ill-bred, bold womal
whose eyes met mine unahashed, and dI
not blink under my scrutiny. Could sl
be Olivia's step-mother, who had bee
the ruin Of her life?
"Td bet a hundred to one you kno'
her," she said, laughing and showing a
her white teeth. "A girl like her couldn
60 about little poky place like this Will
out all the young men knowing her. Pc
haps she left the island in the spring.
have asked at all the drapers' shops, b,
nobody recolleets her. I've very goc
news for her IL | could find her-a slir
middle-sized girl. with a clear. fair SKI
and grey eyes and hair Of a brigl
brown. Stay, can show you her phot
graph"
She put into my hands an exquisi
portrait Of Olivia, taken in Florenc
There was an expression of quiet mouri
fulness in the face, which touched me
the core Of my heart. | could not put
down and speak indifferently about
My heart beat wildly, and felt 'tempts
to run of with the treasure and retul
no more TO this woman.
"Ah! you recognize herF' she exclair
ed triumphantly.
Il never saw such a person In Guer
sey," answered. looking steadily in
her face. A sullen and gloomy EXPIRE
sion came across it. and she snatchi
the portrait out OF my hand.
"You want TO keep It a secret" q
said, ''but | defy you to do 1t. am con
here to find her, and find her will. 81
hasn't drowned herself, and the ear
hasn't swallowed her up. I've trac
her as far as here, and that l tell yo
She crossed in the Southampton boat o
dreadfully stormy night last October