Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-04
CHAPTER XIX.
JevOns Grows Mysterious.

49, -.HAN ~ 1fN ~ - III no AoeAAH ~
that she sent me a message Of farewell.
Had It been at all possible | would have
left by a later train, for ! was extremely
anxious to watch her demeanor after last
nights clandestine meeting, but with such
a crowd Of patients awaiting me il was
imperative to leave by the first train. Even
that would not bring me to Kings Cross
before nearly IL o'clock.
We'll, now, DOCTOR Mrs. Mlvart com,
menced rather anxiously when we we're
seated and she had handed me my coffee.
you saw Mary last night, and had an
opportunity Of speaking with her. What
is your opinion? Don't hesitate to tell me
frankly, for l consider it is my duty to
face the worst"
Really l exclaimed. looking straight
at her after a moments reflection. ITO
speak c~andidly l failed to detect anything
radically wrong In your daughters de-
meanor."
But did you notice, doctor, how ex-
tremely nervous she is; how in her eyes
there is a haunting, suspicious look, and
how blank is her mind upon every subject
but the great calamity hat has befallen
her?"
Il must really confess that these things
were not apparent TO me-" I answered. IT
watched her carefully, but beyond the facts
that she is greatly unnerved by the trag-
edy, and that she is mourning deeply for
her dead husband, l can discover nothing
abnormal"
You are not Of opinion, then, that her
mind Is growing unbalanced by the strain %
Not in the least" l assured her. THE
symptoms she betrays are but natural in a
woman Of her nervous, highly-strung tenn
permanent"
ttnpN che pnFort,noNoIy ortava, a.
much" remarked the old lady with a
sigh. His name is upon her lips at every
hour in the day. I've tried to distract her
and urged her to accompany me abroad for
a time. but all to no purpose. She won't
hear of it."
l alone knew the reason of her refusal.
In conspiracy with her dead" husband 1t
was impossible to be apart from him for
long together. The undue accentuation of
her daughters feigned grief had alarmed
the old lady-and Justly 80. Now that I
recollected, her conduct at table on the
previous night was remarkable, having re-
gard to the true facts of the case. I con-
fess / had myself been entirely deceived
into believing that her sorrow at Henry
Courtenay's death was unbounded, In every
detail her acting was perfect, being bound
to attract sympathy among her friends and
arouse interest among strangers I longed
to explain to the quiet, charming old lady
what 1 had seen during my midnight
ramble. but such a course was, as yet, i'm
possible. Indeed. II l made a plain state
ment. such as l have given in the fore
going pages. surely no one would believe
me. But every man has his romance, and
this was mine.
Unable to reveal Mary's secret, I was
compelled reluctantly to take leave Of her |
mother. who accompanied me out to where |
the trap was in waiting.
81 scarcely know, doctor, how to thank
you sufficiently" the dear old lady said as
1 took her hand. what you have told me
treasures me. or late l have been ex-
tremely anxious, as you may imagine"
You need feel no anxiety" I declared.
she's nervous and run ~down-that's all.
Take her away for a change is possible.
II she refuses don't force her. Quiet is the
chief medicine in her case. Goodbye"
She pressed my hand again in grateful
acknowledgement, and then l mounted into
the conveyance and was driven to the sta
ton.
On the journey back to town pom
dered long and deeply. OF a verify my
short visit to Neneford had been fraught
with good results and I was contemplate
ihB 6VNhluB AulbicI JtNuuS al the Earliest
possible moment and relating to him my
astounding discovery. The fact that old
Courtenay was still living absolutely
surpassed my comprehension. To endeavor
to form any theory or to try and account
for the bewildering phenomenon was
utterly useless. l had seen him and had
overheard his words. I could surely be-
live my eyes and ears. And there 4
ended. The why and wherefore / pu'
aside for the present, remembering Mary's
promise to him to come TO town and have
an interview with me.
Surely that meeting ought to be a most
interesting one. l awaited It with the
most intense anxiety and yet in fear. lest
l might be led by her clever imposture
to blurt out what knew. felt myself
on the eve Of making a startling revela-
ton; and my expectations were realized
to the full, as the further portion of my
strange romance will show.
I know that many narratives have been
written detailing remarkable and almost
inconceivable Vaccinations of these who
have stained their hands with crime. but
/ honestly believe that the extraordinary
features of my own life romance are as
strange as, IL not stranger than any
hitherto recorded. Even ny worst enemy
could not dub me egotistical, l think; and
surely the facts l have set down here are
plain and unvarnished. without any at
tempt at misleading the reader into be-
lieving that which is untrue. Mine is a
plain chronicle Of a chain Of extraordinary
circumstances which led to an amazing
denouement.
From Kings Cross TO Guys is a consider
able distance, and when / alighted from the
cab In the courtyard OF the hospital II was
nearly midday. Until 2 o'clock I was kept
busy in the wards. and after a sandwich and
a glass Of sherry, l drove to Harley street,
where l found Sir Bernard in his consulting
room for the first time for a month.
"Ah Boyd" he cried merrily, when ]
entered. Thought I'd surprise you today
l felt quite well this morning, so resolved
TO CONF up and see Lady Twickenham and
one or two others. I'm not at home e
patients and have left them to you"
I'm delighted to see you BETTER I de.
, clared. wringing his hand. They wer,
3 asking after you at the hospital today
Vernon said he intended going down to Sc,
you tomorrow"
kind OF him" the old man laughed. plae
= ing his thin hands together. after rubbing
and readiusting his glasses. you wer
: away last night. Out Of town, they said"
Yes, l wanted a breath of fresh air"
answered. laughing, / did not care to tel