Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-07-03
The Crimson
BY Fred M. l0hte Al/H1

~eS~S~~~s~~~~eseS ese~~e.>e~~A>es~s~-s
I piled. she's queerer than ever, is mis-
tress. She don't say much, but Miss
Christiania's death is great shock to
her. She ordered the bell to be tolled,
and carried on awful When Miss Enid
tried to stop it,"
Walker nlurmured. vaguely, some-
| thing doubtless representing sympathy.
"And my other patient, Williams ."
| ne asked. How is he getting along?
Really. you ought to keep those dogs
| under better control. It's dreadful
business, altogether. Fancy a man Of
Mr.. Hensons. high character and gen.
tie disposition, being attacked by a saw
age dos in the very house! I hope the
hound is securely kennelled?"
well. he isn't, sir" Williams said.
with just the CLINT of grin on his dry
features. "And it wasn't altogether
Rollo's fault The dog was So devoted
to Miss Christiana as YOU never see.
And he got to know as the poor lady
vas dying. So he creeps into the house
and lies before her bed room door, and
when Mr.. Henson comes along the dog
takes it in his 'ead as he wants to go in
there. And now Rollo's got inside. and
nobody except Miss Enid dare go near.
pity that there undertaken when he
comes.
Walker shuddered slightly. Longdean
Grange was a fearful place for the
nerves. Nothing OF the routine of the
decorous ever happened there. The fees
Were high and the remuneration prompt
or Walker would have handed over
his patient cheerfully to somebody else.
Not for a moment did he imagine that
Williams was laughing at him. Well.
he need not see the body. which was
comfort. With perfectly easy con-
science. he could give certificate OF
death. And If only somebody would stop
that hideous bell! Someone was sing
ing quietly in the drawing room. and
the music seemed to be strangely BIZ
zarre and out of place.
Inside it seemed like veritable house
of the dead-the shadow of tragedy
doomed everywhere. The dust rose In
i clouds from the floor as the servants
passed to and fro. They were all clad
in black and shuff1ed uneasily. as If
conscious that their clothes did not be-
long to them. Enid came into the hall to
meet the doctor. Her face seemed ter
ribly white and drawn; there was
something in her eyes that suggested
anxiety more than grief.
IT suppose you have come principally
to see Mr.. Henson?" she said. But my
sister"
'No occasion to intrude upon your
| grief for a moment. Miss Henson" DR..
| Walker said. quietly. GAS I have told
you before, there was very little hope Ct
your sister from the first. 1t was a
melancholy satisfaction to find my dag
nosis confirmed in every detail by so
eminent an authority as DR.. Hatherly
Bell. I will give you a certificate, with
pleasure, at once"
"You would like to see my sister,"
Enid suggested.
The quivering anxiety was in her
eyes again. the strained look in her face.
Walker was discreetly silent as to what
he had heard about the bloodhound, but
he had by no means forgotten 1t.
mot the least occasion. I assure you"
he said, fervently. "Your sister had
practically passed away when I last
saw her. There are times when-er-
| you see-but, really, there is no neces-
sity"
"Mr. Henson is terribly fastid ious
about these things"
"Then he shall be satisfied. shall tell
rim that I have-er-seen the body.
And I nave, you know. In these mat
| tiers medical man can not be too care
full. If you will provide me with pen
and ink"
"Thank you very much. Will you
come this way. please?"
| Walker followed into the drawing
ROOM Mrs. Henson. wearing something
faded and dishevelled in the way of a
mourning dress, was grooming some
dirge at the piano. Her white hair was
| streaming loosely over her shoulders:
there was a vacant stare in her eyes.
! The intruders might have been statues
for all the heed she took of them. Pres
entity the discordant music ceased and
she began to pace noiselessly up and
down the room.
"Another one gone" she murmured;
"the best-beloved. It is always the
best-beloved that dies, and the one we
hate that is left. Take all those coaches
away and send the guests back home.
Why do they come chattering and feast
ing here7 She shall be drawn by four
black horses to churchfield in the dead
of night, and there laid in the family
/ vault"
MRS. Henson's residence" Enid ex-
| pldAACO, All d "AIA5PCA, ID SOILS u1lcc1l
miles away. She has made up her mind
that my sister shall be taken away, as
she says-to morrow night. Is this pa
per all that is necessary for the-you
understand? have telephoned to the
undertaken in Brighton"
Walker FASTENED to assure her that
what little further formality was re-
quired he would see to himself. All he
desired now was to visit Henson and
get out of the house as soon as possible
AS he hurried from the drawing room
he heard Mrs. Henson grooming and
muttering, he saw the vacant glare in
her eyes, and vaguely wondered how
soon he would have another patient
here.
Reginald Henson sat propped up in
his bed, white and exhausted. Beyond
doubt he had had terrible shock and
fright, and the droop of his eyelids told
of shattered nerves. There was thick
white bandage around his throat, his
left shoulder was strapped tightly. He
|