Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-10-22
CHAPTER XIII.

III one sense time seemed To De SIdAu-
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 it was an understood thing that l
should Immediately quit the room, to
avoid meeting her. There was an eti-
Quette in her resentment which l was
bound to observe.
1 had not taken up any Of my old pa
tients again, for | 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 full
to DR.. Martin Dobree:
"A lady from England, who is only
visitor in Guernsey, will be much oblig-
ed by DR.. Martin Dobree calling upon
her at Rose Villa, Vauvert Road. She
Is suffering from a slight indisposition;
and knowing DR.. Senior by name and
reputation, she. would feel great conf
dence in the skill of DR.. Seniors friend.
+ wondered for an instant who the
stranger could lie, 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 five minutes
walk from our house. Julia was paying
L.. IL
at a loss for something to do, SO l went
at once. :;
l found a very handsome, fine-looking
woman; dark, with hair and eyes as black
as 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 it 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 with
much sympathy; but she attracted my
curiosity, and interested me by the bold
style Of her beauty.
You Guernsey people are very stiff
with strangers" she remarked, as l sat
opposite to her, regarding her with that
close observation which is permitted to
doctor.
$50 the world says" answered. ''Of
course l am no good judge, for we Guern-
sey people believe ourselves as perfect
as any. class of the human family"
81 have been here a week." she replied,
pouting her full crimson lips, 'and have
not had chance of speaking word, ex-
cept to strangers like myself who don't
know a soul"
That, then, was the cause of the little
indisposition which had obtained me the
honor of attending her. indulged my
self in a mild sarcasm to that effect, but
1t was lost upon her. She gazed at me
solemnly with her large black eyes, which
shone like beads.
Il am really ILL.," she said, "but it has
nothing to do with not seeing anybody,
though that's dull. There's nothing for
me to do but take bath in the morning
and drive in the afternoon, and go to
bed very early. Good gracious! it's
enough to drive me madr',
TRY jersey" 1 suggested
No, III not try Jersey" she said. ~
mean to make my way here. Don't ybu
know anybody, doctor, that would take
pity on poor strangerW
Il am sorry to say no, ~ answered.
She frowned at that and looked disap-,
pointed. l was about to ask her how she
knew the Seniors, when she spoke again
do you have many visitors come to
Guernsey late in the autumn, as late as
October?" she inquired.
mot many" answered.; :. few may
arrive who intend to winter shere.'' !,
"A. dear young friend of mine came
here last autumn" she said, "aione, as
/ am, and I've been wondering ever since
I've, been here however she would get
along amongst such a set of stiff, formal,
standzofish folks. She had not money
enough for a dash. or that would make. a.
difference, 1 SUPPOSE" 80. :, :. :. :
mot the least, ~ replied, IF your
friend came without any introductions'
What dreary winter she'd hayer'
pursued my patient; with a tone of exuI-'
tation. ''She was quite young, and as
pretty aggR picture ALI the young men
would know her, I'll be bourfd,t and you
amongst them, Dr.. Martfn Amy woman
.Whogisn,t fright gets stared at enough.
to be known again y - e - - -.
SC0Gfd this woman know anything Of
OliYia?...I looked at her more earnestly
and critically She was not person |
should like Olivia to have anything to
do with. A coarse, iii bred, bold woman,
whose eyes met mine unabashed, and did
net iblink under. nay scrutiny. Gould she
begOhvia's step-mother, who had been
the ruin sof her life?
I'D bet hundred to one you know
her," she said, laughing and showing all
her white teeth. "a girl like her couldn't
go about, little poky place like this with
out all the young men knowing her. Per
haps she left the island in the spring.
have asked at all the Diapers shops, but
nobody reeollects her. I've very good
news for her if could find her-a slim,
middlesized girl, with clear, fair skin
and grey eyes and hair of a bright
brown. Stay, can show you her photo
graph"
She put into my hands an exquisite
portrait Of Olivia, taken in Florence.
There was an expression of quiet mourn
fulness in the face, which touched me to
the core of my heart. l could not put it
down and speak indifferently about it.
My heart beat wildly, and felt tempted
to run off with the treasure and return
no more to this woman.
"Ah! you recognize herw she exclaim-
ed triumphantly
Il never saw such person in Guern-
sey," | answered, looking steadily into
her face. A sullen and gloomy express
sion came across it, and she snatched
the portrait out of my hand.
You want to keep it secret she