Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-21

wvrr's 1nother-Mrs. Mivart at Meme
ford-asking me TO go down there without
delay, but giving no reason for the urgen-
CIV ] had always been favorlte WITH
the old lady, and 10 obey. was, or course
inperative-even though I were compell-
ed to ask Bartlett. one Of my colleagues.
to look after Sir Bernard's private prac-
tce in my absence.
Ncneford Manor was an ancient ram
bling. old Queene Anne place, about SIX
miles from Peterborough on the hlgh
road to Leicester. Standing in the MIDST
of the richest grass country in England,
with the grounds sloping to the trimming
river that wound through meadows which
in Nav were blaze of golden buttercups,
It was a typical English home, with Its
quaint old gables high chimney stacks
and old-world garden, with yeW hedges
trimmed fantastically a. IN the days or
wigs and patches. had snatched
weekend several times TO be old Mrs
Miysrt's guest therefore l knew the
picturesque old place we'll, and was enter
tained by its many charms
Soon after o'clock that evening. de-
seconded from the train at the road
side station, and mounting into the doE-
cart was driven across the hill to the
manor, In the hall the. sweet-faced
siIyer-haired old lady, in her neat plack
and white cap, greeted me- holding both
hands
nent. apparently unable to utter a word.
r had expected to find her unweii; but
IN tina contrary she seemed as active as
usual. notwithstanding the seniie decay
which ] knew had already laid is hand
heavily upon her.
"You are so good to come to me. Doc
tor How can I thank you suftlclentS
she managed to exclaim at last. ieadlns
me into the drawing room, a long, old
supported bv black oak beams. and
nnaint diamopd-paned windows at each
end.
well" I inquired. when she had
seated herself, and with the evening lleht
upon her face, saw how blanched and
anxious she was
..I want to consult you Doctor upon
q very serious and confidential matter,
she began leaning forward. her thln'
white hands clasped in her zap. we
have not met since the terrible blow Tell
NO. vs-the death Of poor Mary's hus-
band"
ut must have been great blow to you"
said enthusiastically, for liked the old
lady. and realized how she had sur
fered. >,
eyes. but to poor Mary most of all"
she said. They were so happy tosether'
and she was so devoted to nm.
are often deceived as to their daughters
domestic felicity a wife is always prone
~ hide her sorrows from her parents
as far as possible. Therefore the old lady
had no doubt, been the victim OF natural
deception.
YES" I agreed. ut was a tragic and
terrible thing. The mystery is quite I'M
solved"
ITO mo the police are worse than use
eli
..Tbey don't seem TO have eXerted them
selves in the least after that utterly use
less inquest with its futile verdict. AS
far as / can gather, not single point
has been cleared up
mo" said "Not one"
And my poor Mary exclaimed old
Mrs. Mivatt. she is beside .-erself with
grief. Time seems TO increase her melan-
choly, instead of bringing iorsetiuiiless'
as hoped il would
..Where is Mrs. Courtenay?" | asked.
Here. She's been back with me for
over a month. 1t was to see her, speak
with her. and give me an opinion. that
asked you to come down
us she unwell?"
81 really don't know what ails her.
She talks of her husband incessantly,
calls him by name, and sometimes be-
HAYES so strangely that have once or
twice been much alarmed"
Her statements starte me. I had no
idea that the young widow mad taken
the old gentlemans death SO much to
heart. AS far as had been able to Judge
Ii seemed very much es though she had
very desire to regain her freedom nom
matrimonial bond that CALLED her. That
she was grief stricken over his death
showed that ! had extremely misjudged
her character.
..Is sho at homo now7" aaked