Wallowa chieftain. [volume] (Joseph, Union County, Or.) 1884-1909, 1902-03-13
The Winged Death
? HAD been for some little time en-

7HAD been for some little time en-
gagged. through Il medical agency.
- in doing locum tenens work in diff
ferent parts of England, when l re-
ceiyed a summons by telegram TO 20
and take temporary charge of prac-
tice IN the suburbs of Bradford. The
address was that of DR.. Wolford. who
had died suddenly two days before. but
beyond this | had no information. |
was met at the Bradford Midland sta
lion 10y surly looking individual who.
saying that his name was SUgden. and
that he was the late DR.. WolfOrd's dis
penser. at once suggested that we
should 20 and have drink
looked sharply at the man, and what
saw prompted me to decline. on the
plea that | must look after my luggage.
l have formed the habit IA dangerous
one, by the way Of Judging by first i'm
preSSiOns, and already l knew that
should dislike this man. | concealed
this feeling, however, and during the
drive from the station endeavored to
learn something about the manner OF
DR. Wolfurd's death; but as | received
only mOuoSylldbic replies from my com
panlon. | soon gave up the attempt at
conversation
On our arrival at the house | was AT
once shown into the dining room, where
Mrs. Wolford was waiting to receive
me.
oh, DR.. Meldrum," she cried. as she
came forward to greet me, you can't
think how glad am TO see you. I've
been counting the hours till you could
be here"
The warmth of this welcome rather
surprised me, but l murmured some
suitable reply, and expressed my re-
gret tor the sad occurrence which had
made my presence necessary. At the
mention Of her husbands name, Mrs.
Nol.ord'S eyes filled with tears.
Yes she said simply; lit was sud
den, and very. very cruel" And then.
with a sudden keen glance up into my
face. she added: "Are you clever. DR..
Aeldrum?-clever in your profession
mean; because there is a problem in
thls nous" to be solved that will need
clever man. Oh, DIR. Meldrum. won
DER whether you know what it is to be
without friend whom you can trust"
AT this point she showed signs of
oFeaAIhg down altogether, but with a
suOhg effort restrained herself.
You wonder why | ask you these
9ueSlloilSF she went on. You think
me uysterical-but I'm not, doctor"
No. said |. though in point of fact
uid think so. Il recognize that you
are anxious that your husbands prac-
uce should be in competent hands. and
itoth what | have seen of the dis
penser-
SAe interrupted new ith gesture
II not that" she said, impatiently;
ana then, after slight pause. Mr.
Aeidrum, I'm afraidw
"AiraidT' said 1. of whatY"
own"
he terror in her voice as she said
tAese words was very real.
ls your son ill?" asked.
les. Win you come and see him
howi There is Jast time before din
uer."
expressed my readiness. and went
Upstairs to the boys bedroom. On the
way IrS. Wolford explained that this
was her only child. 10 years old; and
auded tearfully. that if she were to
"se Inn too, as well as her husband.
sue slould die. We found the boy
e'eeinng quietly: without waking him
took his temperature. but found no
niucation of feverishness. and this, as
pointed out to his mother. was. in
'n4d' fairly conclusive proof that at
present there was not much the matter
ihank heaven for that" she said. |
earnestly.
"hat do you fear?" said l.
lAere was a sound of some one open /
ins ana shutting the door of the room
HeAt TO the one in which we were. The :
''o-sleps came along the passage and
paused at our door. Instead of answer
lls me, Mrs. Wolford. who seemed TO
De listening intently. wrote with her
nilter on the counterpane tine one word /
POISON.
men we heard the footsteps pass on, .
ana 20 down stairs.
Come said Mrs. Wolford. after a
'ieht pause. when you have washed
We VIII go down to dinner You must
ne hungry. and | just now heard Mr..
ougden leave his room, so he'll be wait /
lng for u.s.
After my experience in the cab
quite expected that the conversation at
uihner would be mostly between Mrs.
"cltord and myself; but in this was