The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-27
CHAPTER XIX.
Jevons Grows Mysterious.


On coming down to breakfast on the fol-
lowing morning I found Mrs. Mivart
awaiting me alone. The old lady apollo
g1zed for Mary's non-appearance, saying
that it was her habit to have her tea in
her room. but that she sent me a message
of farewell.
Had it been at all possible would have
left by later train. for I was extremely
anxious to watch her demeanor after last
nights clandestine meeting, but with such
crowd of patients awaiting me it was
imperative to leave by the first train.
Even that would not bring me to Kings
cross before nearly II o'clock.
We'll now, DOCTOR" Mrs Mivart COM
menced rather anxiously when we were
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
frankly. for / consider that it is my duty
to face the worst.
Really l exclaimed looking straight
at her after a moments reflection. ITO
speak candidly I failed to detect anything
radically wrong in your daughters de-
meanor.''
but did you notice, doctor, how ex-
trernely nervous shezi is; how in her eyes
there is a haunting, suspicious look, and
how blank is her mind upon every subject
but the great calamity that has befallen
her?'
IT must really confess that these things
were not apparent to me-, I answered. T
watched her carefully, but beyond the
fact that she is greatly unnerved by the
tragedy, and that she is mourning deeply
for her dead husband. can discover moth
ing abnormal
"You are not Of opinion, then, that her
mind is growing unbalanced by the
strain?"
mot in the least,'' treasured her.
''The symptoms she betrays are but nat
ural in woman of her nervous, highly
strung temperament"
but she unfortunately grieves too
much" remarked the old lady with
sigh. His name is upon her lips at every
hour in the day. I've tried to distract her
ana urged her to accompany me abroad
Tor time, but all TO no purpose. she
won't hear Of it,
L alone knew the reason of her refusal
In conspiring with her dead husband it
was impossible to be apart from him for
long together. The undue accumulation
OF her daughters feigned grief had
alarmed the old lady-and Justly So Now
That recollected, her conduct at table on
the previous night was remarkable having
regard to the true facts Of the I
confess / had myself been entirely de-
ceived into believing that her sorrow at
Henry Courtenay's death was unbounded.
In every detail her acting was perfect, be-
ing bound to attract sympathy among her
friends and arouse interest among strars;-
ers lOnged to explain to the quiet.
charming old lady what had seen during
my midnight ramble. but such a course
was, as yet impossible. Indeed, if made
plain statement, such as 1 have given in
ne foresoins pages, surely no one would
believe me. But every man has his ro-
nance, 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.
~ scarcely know, doctor, how to thank
you sufficiently" the dear old lady said
as I took her hand. what you have told
me 'reassuress' rness+ofs late L have been
exrtemelys anxious, as you may imagine"
You need feel no anxiety" 7 declared.
shes nervous and run down-that's all.
Take her away for a change ii possible.
But if she refuses, don't force her Quiet
is the chief medicine in her case. Good
by 49,
She pressed my hand again In grateful
acknowledgements. and then I mounted
into the conveyance and was driven to the
station.
On the journey back to town.I pondered
long and deeply. Of a verify my short
visit to Neneford had been fraught with
good results, and I was contemplating
seeking Amber Jevons at the earliest pos
sible moment and relating to him my as
tonishing. discovery. The fact that old
Courtenay was still living absolutely sur
passed my comprehension. TO endeavor
to form any theory, or to try and account
for the bewidering phenomenon, was ut
terly useless. I had seen him, and had
overheard his words. I could surely be-
lieve my eyes and ears. And there it
ended. The why and wherefore I put
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. I awaited it with the
most intense anxiety, and yet in fear, lest
I might be led by her clever imposture to
b1urt out what I knew felt myself
the eve of making a startling revelation;
and my expectations were realized to tho
full, as the further portion Of my strange
romance will show. !, -
I know that many narratives have been
written detailing remarkable and almost
uncomfortable, ma chinations of those who
have stained their hands with crime, but
I honestly believe that the extraordinary
features Of my own life-rOmance are as
strange as, if not stranger than any hith-
erto recorded Even my worst enemy
could not dub me egotistical / think; and
surely the facts 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
announcement.
From Kings Cross to Guys lis a con-
siderable distance, and when L alighted
from the cab in the courtyard Of the hos
pital it was nearly midday. Until 2
o'clock I was kept busy in the wards, and
after a sandwich and a glass of sherry,
I drove to Harley street, where I.found Sir
Bernard in his consulting room for the
first time for month.
"Ah! Boyd he cried, merrily, when
entered. Thought I'd surprise you to-
day felt quite we'll this morning, so re-
solved to come up and see Lady Twick-
enham and one or two others. I'm not
at home to patients, and have left them
to you.
I'm delighted to see you better" Isde-
clared, wringing, his hand. "They were
asking after you at the hospital to-day.
Vernon said he intended going down to see
you tomorrow"
.sKind Of, him. p the old man laughed,
placing his, thin hands together, after rub
bling and readjusting his glasses. GU
were away last night. Out of town, they
said.'' e4sS
eyes. I wanted breath Of fresh air.
I answered, laughing. did not care to
tell him where had been, knowing that
he held my love for Ethelwynn as the pos
sible ruin of my career. 1's
His curiosity seemed aroused; but al
though he put to me an ingenious. ques-
ton steadfastly refused to satisfy him.
I recollected too well his open condemna-
ton Of my love on previous occasions.
Now that the murdered" man was
proved to be still alive surely had no fur