Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-08-03
CHAPTER XIII,

ing still with me after my home return.
80 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 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 II was an understood thing that l
should Immediately quit the room, to
avoid meeting her. There was an ETH
quette In her resentment which / was
bound to observe.
I had not taken up any Of my old pm
tients again, for l was determined that
everybody should feel that my residence
Mt 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 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 conf
dence In the skill of DIR. Seniors friend"
l 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 five minutes
walk from our house. Julia was paying
her daily visit to my mother, and was
at loss for something to do, SO l went
ut once.
found a very handsome, fne-looking
woman; dark, with hair and eyes as black
% q 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 with
much sympathy; but she attracted my
curiosity, and interested me by the bold
style OF her beauty.
"You Guernsey people are very sti6
with strangers" she remarked, as ! sat
opposite to her, regarding her with that
doctor.
$50 the world says I answered. "Of
course ! am no good Judge, for we Guern.
sey people believe ourselves as perfect
~ 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 don't
know q SOUL"
That, then, was the cause of the little
indisp0siti0n which had obtained me the
honor Of attending her. l indulgcd my.
self In mild sarcasm to that effect, but
1t was lost upon her. She gaxed at me
solemnly with her large black eyes. which
shone like beads.
II am really Ill.," she said. but II has
Aothins to do with not seeing anybody,
though that's dull. There's nothing for
me to do but take bath In the morning
and q drive In the afternoon, and 20 to
bed very early. Good gracious! It's
enough to drive me mad!'
"Try Jersey" l suggested.
mo, I'll not try Jersey" she said. II
mean to make my way here. Don't you
know anybody, doctor, that would take
pity on poor strangerY'
II am sorry to say no." I 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; a few may
arrive who intend to winter here"
"A dear young friend Of mine came
here last autumn" she said, "alone, 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,
stand.ofiish folks. She had not money
enough for dash, or that would make q
difference, ! suppose"
"Not the least" I replied. III your
friend came without any introductiOns."
"What dreary winter she'd havev'
pursued my patient, with tone of exul-
tation. "She was quite young, and as
pretty as picture. All the young men
would know her. I'll be bound, and you
amongst them, DR.. Martin. Any woman
who Isn't a fright gets stared at enough
to be known again"
Could this woman know anything OF
Olivia? ! looked ut her more earnestly
and critically. She was not person
should like olivia to have anything to
do with. A coarse. ill.bred, bold woman,
whose eyes met mine unabashed, and did
not blink under my scrutiny. Could she
be Olivia's step-mOther. who had been
the ruin Of her life?
IRA bet q hundred to one you know
her." she said, laughing and showing al
her white teeth. "A girl like her couldn't
80 about little psky place like this with.
out all the young men knowing her. Per.
hsps she left the island in the spring.
have asked at all the diapers shops, bu.
nobody recollects her. I've very good
news for her IL could find her-a slim
middle.sized girl, with clear, fair skin
and grey eyes and hair of q 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 Il
the core OF my heart. could not put Il
down and speak indiffcrently about It
My heart beat wildly, and felt tempted
to run of with the treasure and return
NO more to this woman.
"Ah! you recognize her!' she exclaim
ed triunphantly.
II never saw such q person In Guern
sey," ! answered, looking steadily int
her face. A sullen and gloomy expires
sion came across It, and she snatchsi
the portrait out OF my hand.
"YOu want to keep II q secret" oh,
said, "but ] defy You 10 do II. am come