The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-15


that is yourself. my lady
"Ah. would 10 heaven I could
Try my way. and you'll see. my lady. %
what. that way. Oh. no. no."
well. then. n you won't, nobody else
can"
Such speeches as these. often repeated.
on the one hand and Sir Charles meian-
choly on the other, drove Lady Bassett
almost wild with distress and. perplexity.
Meanwhile her vague fears OF Richard
Bassett were being gradually realized.
Bassett employed Wheeler to sound DIR.
Willis as 10 his patients condition.
DR. Willis. true to the honorable ira
ditions OF his profession. would tell him
nothing. But Dr. Willis had wife She
pumped him, and. Wheeler pumped her.
BY this channel Wheeler got some
what exaggerated account Of Sir Charles
state. He carried II to Bassett. and the
pair put their heads together.
The consultation lasted all night. and
finally a comprehensive plan OF action
was settled. Wheeler stipulated that the
law should not be broken in the smallest
particular. but only stretched
Four days after this conference. Mr..
Bassett, Mr. Wheeler. and two spruce
gentlemen. dressed In black. sat upon
the Heirs tower" watching Hunter
combe hall.
They watched. and watched. until they
saw Mr.. Angelo make his usual daily
call.
Then they watched. and watched, until
Lady Bassett and the young clergyman
came out and strolled together into the
shrubbery.
Then the two gentlemen went down
the stairs and were hastily conducted by
Rassett TO Huntercombe hall.
They rang the bell. and the taller said,
In a bustnes like voice. DIR. Moseiy.
from DR.. Willis"
Mary Wells was sent for. and Mr..
Moseiy said, "Dr. Willis is unable 10
come today. and has sent me-
Mary Wells conducted him TO the pa
tient the other gentleman followed.
WHO a this7" said Mary. II can't let
all the world In TO see him.
"It IN Mr.. Donkyn, the surgeon. Dr.
Willis wished the patient to be examined
with the stethoscope You can stay out
side. Mr. Donkyn."
This new doctor announced himself 20
Sir Charles, felt his pulse, and entered
a, once into conversation with him
Sir cha was In a talking mood. and
very soon said one or two inconsecutive
things Or. Moseiy looked at Mary Wells,
and said he would write prescription
As soon as he had written II he said.
very loud. Mr.. Donkyn"
The door instantly opened, and tha'
worthy appeared on the threshold.
"Obliee me-" said the doctor TO his con-
frere. .'by seeing this perscription made
IN. and YOU can examine the patient
Yourself; but do not fatigue him"
With this he retired swiftly, and stroll
led down the corridor TO walt for MS
companion.
He had not 10 wait long Mr.. Donkyn
adopted a free and easy style with Sir
Charles. and that gentleman marked his
kx,t
OF the room. and kicking him industri-
ously halfway down the passage.
Messrs. Mosely and Donkyn retired to
Highmore.
Bassett was particularly pleased at the
baronet having kicked Donkyn.- so WAS
Wheeler; so was DR.. Mosely Donkyn
alone did not share the general enthu-
siasm.
When Sir Charles had disposed OF Mr..
Donkyn he turned on Mary Wells. and
rated her soundy for bringing strangers
into his room 20 crafty their curiosity
and when LADY Bassett came In he made
his formal complaint. concluding with a
proposal that one OF two persons should
leave Huntercombe forever. that after
noon-Mary Wells or Sir Charles Bassett
Mary replied not to him. but TO her
mistress He came from DR. Willis. my
lady II was DR. Mosely: and the other
gent was a surgeon"
Two medical men. sent my Or. VIII
lis7" said Lady Bassett. knitting her
brow with wonder and a shade OF doubt.
"A couple OF her own sweethearts. sent
by herself" suggested Sir Charles.
Lady Rassett sat down and wrote a
haSty letter TO DR. Willis Send a groom
with H. as fast as he can ride. said she;
and she was much discomposed and ner-
vous and impatient Till the answer came
back
Or. Willis came in person. Il sent no
one TO take my place" said he. Il es-
teen my patient too highly 10 let any
stranger prescribe for him or even see
him-for a few days 10 come"
Lady Bassett sank into a chair. and her
eloquent face filled with an undefnable
terror
Mary Wells. being on her defense, put
in her word. II am sure he Is a doctor:
for he wrote a prescription. and here
It's
DR.. Willis examined the prescription
with no friendly eye.
Acetate OF morphia. The very worst
thing that could be given him. This Is the
favorite OF the specialists. This fatal drug
has eaten away a thousand brains for
one Il has ever benefited"
"Ahi" said Lady Bassett. Specialists =
Medical men who connne their practice
10 one disease"
Mad doctors. he means" said the pa
tent very gravely
Lady Bassctt turned very pale. Then
those were mad doctors"
Never YOU mind. Bella" said Sir
Charles. "I kicked the fellow handsome
lv"
Il am sorry to hear it. Sir Charles"
WHY"
Dr. Willis looked at Lady Rassett. "a
much as to say. II shall not give him my
real reason" and then said. II think IL
very undesirable you should be excited
and provoked until your health is thor
oughly restored"
Dr. Willis wrote a prescription and re-
tired
Iady Bassett sank into chair ana
trembled all over. Her divining NJ was on
her she saw the hand OF the enemy and
flled with vague fears.
Mary Wells tried TO comfort her. "Tll
take care no more strangers get in here. "
said she. And. my lady II you are
afraid. why not have the keepers. and