The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-21

with the old lady, and to obey was, Of
course, irnperative-even though I were,
compelled to ask Bartlett, one of my col
leagues to look after Sir Bernard's pri-
vate practice in my absence.
Nenefcrd manor was an ancient. ram
bling, old Queen Anne place, about six
miles from Peterborough on the high road
to Leicester. Standing in the midst of
the richest grass country in England, with
the grounds sloping to the trimming river
that wound through meadows which in
May were ablaze Of golden buttercups, it
was typical English home, with it's
quaint old gables, high chimney stacks and
old world garden; with yew hedges
| trimmed Enthusiastically as in the days. of
wigs and patches. had snatched week
end several times to be old Mrs. Mivart's
guest therefore, 1 knew the picturesque
old ploce well, and was entertained by its
many charms.
Soon after 5 o'clock that afternoon l
descended from the train at the roadside
| station and, mounting the dogcart, was
driven across the hill to the manor. In
the hall the sweet-faced, silver-haired old
lady, in her neat, black and white cap,
greeted me, holding both my hands and
| pressing them for a moment, apparently
| unable to utter a word. had expected to
find her unwell, but, on the contrary, she
seemed as active as usual nothwtthstand-
ing the senile decay which knew had
already laid it's hand heavily upon her.
'You are so good to come to me, doctor.
How can I thank you sufficiently" she
managed to exclaim at last, leading me
into the drawing room, long, old-fash-
toned apartment with low ceiling sup
ported by black oak beams, and quaint,
diamond paned windows at each end.
"Wen?' inquired. when she had seated
herself and, with the evening light upon
her face, saw how blanched and anxious
she was.
IT want to consult you doctor, upon
a very serious and confidential matter
she began, leaning forward, her thin, white
hands clasped in her lap. I'VE have not
met since the terrible blow fell upon, us
the death Of poor Mary's husband
"It must have been a great blow to
you,' I said sympathetically, for liked
the old lady and realized how she had
suffered.
Eyes, but to poor Mary most Of all. y
she said. ''They were so happy together
and she was so devoted to him.
This was scarcely the truth, but moth.
ers are often deceived as to their daugh.
ters' domestic felicity. A wife is Away.
|. prone to hide herisorrow from her parent:
as far as possible. Therefore the old lady
had no doubt been the victim of natura
deception.
Yes I agreed. s'It was tragic ant
terrible thing. The mystery is quite UNI
solved
ITO me, the police are worse than use
less she said, in her slow, weak voice
They don't seem I'd have exerted them.
selves in the least after that utterly use.
less inquest with its futile verdict AS fal
as can gather, not one single point ha.
Z been cleared up
NO I said. ..Ndt one
I. '.And my poor Mary exclaimed ole
, Mrs. Mivart, ''she il beside herself witt
grief. Time seems Ito increase her mel
ancholy instead OF bringing forgetfulness
, as hoped it would. 4
Here. She's betn back with me fol
Z over q. month. It vas to see her, SPEAK
with her, and give me an opinion, that
) asked you to come down.''
3 .tIs she UnweIl 81 5