Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-08-06
CHAPTER NIL.

thA1 Nil.
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 it was an understood thing that
should Immediately quit the room, to
avoid meeting her. There was an Ell
quette in her resentment which l was
bound to observe.
/ 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 DIR. Martin Dobree:
"a lady from England, who is only
visitor in Guernsey, will be much obhg-
ed by DR.. Martin Dobree calling upon
her at Rose Villa, Nauvert Road. She
IS suffering from a slight indispositlon;
and knowing Dr. Senior by name and
reputation, she would feel great conf
dence in the skill of DE-. 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, l resolved to go. Rose Villa
was a house where the rooms were let to
visitors during the season, and the Nau-
vert Road was scarcely five minutes
walk from our house. Julia was paying
her daily visit to my mother, and l was
at a loss for something to do, so l went
at once.
found n very handsome, ine-looking
woman; dark, with hair and eyes as black
as a gypsy's, and a 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.
Ny 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 | sat
opposite to her, regarding her with that
close observation which is permitted to a
doctor.
so the world says" l answered. "Of
course am no good judge, for we Guern-
Eey people believe ourselves as perfect
as any class of the human family"
Il have been here week." she replied,
pOuting her full crimson lips, and have
not had a chance of speaking a 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. / INDUCED my
self in a mild sarcasm to that effect, but
II was lost upon her. She gaZed at me
solemnly with her large black eyes, which
shone like beads.
II 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 a drive in the afternoon, and go to
bed very early. Good gracious! it's
enough 10 drive mr. mad!
Try Jersey" l suggested.
mo, I'll not try Jersey" she said. Il
mean to make my way here. Don't you
know anybody, doctor, that would take
pity on a poor strangerP
Il am sorry to say no." answered.
She frOwued at that and looked disap-
pointed. | 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
O~tobHrY' she inquired.
Net many" l answered.; few may
arrive who intend to winter here"
"A dear young friend of mine came
here last autumn she said. alone, as
j am, and I've been wondering ever since
I've been here however she would get
along amongst such set of stiff, formal,
stand ofish folks. She had not money
enough for a dash, or that would make a
difference. / suppose"
Not the least" | replied, IF your
friend came without any introductions a"
What 4 dreary winter she'd haver'
pursued my patient, with tone of exul-
tation. She was quite young. and as
pretty as Il picture. All the young men
would know her, I'll be bound, and you
amongst them, DIR. Martin. Any woman
who isn't a fright gets stared at enough
TO be known again"
Could this woman know anything of
Olivia? l looked at her more earnestly
and critically. She was not a person l
should like Olivia to have anything TO
do with. \ 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?
I'D bet 4 hundred 10 one you know
her" she said. laughing and showing all
her white teeth. "A girl like her couldn't
SO about Il little poky place like this with
out all the young men knowing her. Per
haps she eft the island in the spring |
have asked at all the diapers shops, but
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 a bright
brown. Stay. l 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
fuineSS in the face. which touched me "a
the core Of my heart. l could not put i;
down and speak indifferently about it,
Ny heart beat wildly, and felt tempted
TO rid OF wftA ,hs treasure and return
no more 10 this woman. -
"Ah, yCl recognize her. she exclaim-
ell triumphanty.
Il never saw such person in Guern'
sey.' | answered. looking steadily into
her face. \ sullen and gloomy express
sion came across il. and she snatCbed
the portrait out OF my hand.
You want TO keep il 4 secret" she
said. but l defy you to do it. I am come
here to find her, and find her l will, She
hasn't drowned herself. and the earth
hasn't swallowed her up. I've traced
her as far as here. and that | tell you,
She crossed in the Southampton boat one
dreadfully stormy night last October
the only lady passen ser-and the stew
ardeSs rccoliectS her well. She landed
here. You must know something about
her"
Il assure ven I never saw that sir
here l replied evaSively. What in
QuirieS have YOU made after herS'
I've inquired here ami there and ev
erywhere, she said I've done nothing
- I l.