Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1901-10-17
The Doctors Dilemma
BY Hesba Stretton
CHAPTER XIII.

ing still with me uIter my nome relutA'
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 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 ell
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 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 be, and how she knew the
Seniors; but us 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 Eve minutes
walk from our house. Julia was paying
her daily visit to my mother, and l was
at loss for something to do, SO l went
at once.
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 we'll shaped; and the lower
part Of her face, handsome as 1t was,
was far more developed than the upper.
There was not 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 still
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" l answered. "Of
course am no good Judge, for we Guern-
sey people believe ourselves as perfect
q any class of the human family"
II have been here week." she replied,
pouting her full crimson lips, land have
not had a chance of speaking a word, ex-
cept to strangers like myself who don't
know SOUL"
That, then, was the cause Of the little
indisposition which had obtained me the
honor of attending her. | INDUCED my
self in mild sarcasm to that effect, but
it was lost upon her. She gazed ut me
solemnly with her large black eyes, which
shone like beads.
II am really ILL.," she said, "but 1t 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 60 to
bed very early. Good gracious! it's
enough to drive me mad"
TRY jersey" l suggested.
mo, III not try Jersey" she said. II
mean to make my way here. Don't you
know anybody, doctor, that would take
pity on a poor straagerT'
II am sorry to say no." l 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" l answered.; 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 set Of stiff, formal,
stand-oiiish folks. She had not money
enough for dash, or that would make a
difference, suppose"
mot the least" | replied, "if your
friend came without any introductions. "
What dreary winter she'd hnve!'
pursued my patient, with tone of exul-
tation. "She was quite young, and rs
pretty as a picture. All the young men
would know her. I'll be bound, and you
amongst them. DIR. Martin. Any woman
who isn't fright gets stared at enough
to be known again.
Could this woman know anything OF
Olivia? l looked Mt her more earnestly
and critically. She was not person
should ike OllVla TO nave anything u
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 a 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 recollects her. I've very good
news for her il | could find her-a slim
midde-sized girl, with clear, fair Skin
and grey eyes and hair Of 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 tt
the core of my heart. could not put 1
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 her." she exclaim
ed triumphantly.
II never saw such person in Guern
L. spnk