The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1902-03-08
couch ana oddly propped against tho

them, the place spoke loudly of pov
erty. AS for Blair himself, he match
ell his surroundings, for his mood wa
far from cheerful.
"What can do for you, dOctor?" h,
asked in the tone of one who hal
ceased to expect good from any inter
view.
"Miss Miller. who is my patient Al
the hospital, wishes to see you." sait
Kendall. "and called to ask you tt
come over"
Il hope a consultation isn't ncces
sary." said Blair, with n faint smile
II understood that her recovery was
! assured"
ut is in regard to Miss Maclane,'
! responded Kendall. with considerable
embarrassment.
Blair family groaned.
Il wish had kept my mouth shut"
he said. "Of course II can do any
thing to please Miss Miller" he added
hastily, II shall be delighted. | know
heHsliGhtly, and she is Il very charm
; ing girl. But really this matter Of
, Miss Maclanc is wearing my life out.
Policemen, reporters, unidentified
vagabonIs"-
"And, last of all, a DOCTOR" added
Kendall
-"have worried the flesh off my
bones,' continued Blair without no.
ticlng the interruption. "They insist
that shall identify Miss Maclane as
the woman saw. They present
threats and brides. They offer all
sorts Of ridiculous plans for bringing
Miss Maclane and me together so that
] may be sure OF. her. But have seen
Miss Maclane already. and have said
all that | have TO say upon the SUBJ
ject."
"iou have not said that she was not
the woman" suggested Kendall.
NO. and l won't" responded Blair
promptly. "Why should ~
UNLESS you are sure" said Kendall,
"you may feel like delaying u final
statement, but can't help thinking
that your course takes little account Of
Miss Machines welfare; might al
most say Of her rights. However, l
must not get excited about it."
"Ion seem to take a considerable in
tcrcSt,' said Blair. You have known
Miss Maclane for some years, l am
told. But that is none of my business.
What does Miss Miller wish me to do!"
'Sle believes that she can convince
you that Miss Maclanc is not the wom-
an you saw" replied Kendall.
Blair was silent for some moments.
Il don't see how that is possible" he
said at last, but would be very glad
to oblse her, or you, IL could. There
is, however, such thing as the truth,
you know"
Kendall was beginning to feel pain
fully anxious. There seemed to be n
strong probability that Blair was per-
fectly convinced in regard to this mat J
ter of identity and that he was reserv- |
ing his statement until the nature Of
the case should disclose itself. If Elsie
should die, there was little chance that
Il man of Blair's type would withhold
his evidence, for in that event some
body would be directly accused, and a
just person would feel that all the evi.
dence should be brought forward.
Blair's present position was such that
Kendall did not know how to attack It,
and so be fell back upon the matter of
his real GRAND. AS to that there was
no difficulty. Blair promised to call at
the hospital within an hour.
Having received this promise, Ken
dali returned ut once and notified Elsie
OF the approaching visit. Her manner
was very significant. She was evil
IDENTIFY bracing herself for a consider.
able ordeal. There could be no doubt
hat she had determined to save Bren-
IN from the annoyance TO which she
was being subjected and from tho
much more serious trouble that might
'ollow. AS she had expressed wish
o speak with DR.. Blair few minutes
lone there could be but one Inference
he intended to tell him something
which she had withheld up to that
line. AS Blair was the first physician
' AS hAo bSSA -a!lci " upt size |
ould claim the right Of Il patient and
ut him upon his professional honor
lot to disclose what she might say.
indeed, certain questions which she
skcd made Kendall sure that she Ind
onsidered this phase Of the situation.
was possible that she might intend
80 to the length of confding to Blair
he actual facts Of the case, for by
aiming the author Of the crime she ,
0uld most surely relieve Brenda from
ny further suspicion. Even upon the
opposition that Brenda had really I
one to that house and had been seen +
Blair he would probably consent to ,
held her from offensive publicity If ]
knew her to be entirely innocent. 1
Kendall was conscious of strange, I
oyish feeling of discomfort that Elsie 1
lould not have chosen him as the re- +
pient Of this confidence. He could d
lderstand that there might be rea. "
ms why she should tell Brenda ev- l.
ything, and, as to that, indeed, he O
Id no positive knowledge that she had
IT already done so. Moreover, to have
I'd him would have been merely to let
'other person into the secret, what G.
er 1t might be, since 1t was not he, g.
It Blair who had the power to check II
g attacks upon Brenda. Still, he #
ufd not help feeling isolated, the more I,
cause Of his reflection that Brenda b
ght already know all. Is
I'FO Ea continued