The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-06-03


he said in his tired voice. IL won't
ask you what you think Of me. only
knew i must tell some one, and
thought of you. II doesn't matter
every one will know in week" he
gave hystcrical laugh. "a world Of
fools-and the maddest goes TO the
wall. ehP
Dir. Sherard gave him a searching
look.
What kind OF wall is II going to be
In your casef" he asked.
"Oh, / don't know yetw answered
the man with the gray face, wearily.
"Good-byew
Sherard gave him a last look
81 shall send you that sleeping
draught," he said, with a nod. Good
byew
lie hurried down into the street, and,
jumping into his carriage, was driven
swiftly to his house in Grover street.
He let himself In with his latch key,
and making his way to his study flung
himself into an armchair. relieved to
find that there was nobody waiting to
consult him.
Dick Sherard was about thirty-flvc,
n good looking man with few prcma
ture strcaks Of gray In his hair. After
receiving his diploma he had set up in
practice In the house in Grover street
which had been left him by his mother.
1t had been an uphill fight at first, but
by sheer hard work he had succeeded
first in making a living; now he was
reckoned as one OF the most promising
of the younger men in the medical pro-
fession.
He sat buried I'm thought, his mind
beating out the sordid story told him
by the man with the gray face. II
touched his world; probably that's
why he had been told.
He heard the bell and reused himself
with sigh; it generally foretold the
arrival of another patient. The door
opened, and his housckccpcr, Mrs
Newhouse appeared her homcly face
beaming with qualification.
Miss Elsie and Miss Erskine sir"
she announced.
The two girls came into the room;
both were pretty, but TO Dick Shcrard
one was ever the most attractive ho
had set eyes on.
"a surprise visit, Elsie~ he cried
grasping her by the hand.
"Yes. Dick; vi and | have been shop,
ping, and as we wanted TO talk with
you we thought we'd drop in on tn,
way home"
"Youll have some tea, Miss ElsieT
put in the old housekecper, eagerly.
"Ycs, please, Mrs. Newhousc-if W,
may have il I'm the doctors study" sh,
added, with smiling glance of affcc
ton at Sherard.
Elsie Car9w was the only daughtCl
OF railroad magnatc, who spent mos
Of his time in travelling personally In
specting his railroad interests. Bein,
widOwcr, he had left his little daugh
ter in Mrs. Shcrard's charge, and Els
had grown up at the house in Grove
street with Dick ShCrard rs her chic
companion.
Then her father had died, lcavin
her a vast fortune TO be inherited whC
she came of age, and Dick Shcrart
who loved the girl with every fibre q
his strong nature. felt more than eve
the duties of his position. lie wa
twelve years her senior, and il woul
be unfair TO let the circumstances {
the case influence the girl; besides, h
was no fortune hunter.
So the quiet life i'm the house in CIR,
ver street had gone on, the man nev,
changing from the attitude OF the cld,
brother until at last Mrs. Sherard die
and a fresh arrangement was ncce
sary. Elsie went to live with an ol
friend, Mrs Erskine and passed TO a
extent out OF his world. He thre
himself more than ever into his wor
and tried TO fight the loneliness out ,
his life. but how he had failed on
himself knew.
You'll never guess. Dick, what "
have come TO consult you about" 81
said with another smile at him.
am wondering whether | shall accc
an offer Of marriage" she continued.
Indeed" he said. summonng
smile. lie knew this would come son
time, but he had always tried not
think OF IT,
"YOu see. Dick" she went on, with
mischievous glance at her friend. "Ml
Erskine and Violet both wish me TO
married and out of the way--poor
doesn't get chanccw
quite rightw put In Miss ErskiI
placidly. helping herself TO n lar
piece Of cake. Elsie is just swe
and I love her very much. But !
really horrld OF her TO have So mu
money! She gets a proposal once
week regularly
"And who is the latestF' he 81
with an effort.
"Mr. Hugh Bayn;oun.' Miss Ersk
volunteered the information. ="
hasn't actually proposed. but Elsie s.
Il coming We think il will be tom
row. as Gabriel Evesham has invi
him TO join his party. who are abou
start on n trip TO the National Park
be gone for nine months and bc {
Elsie that he hoped he would hav
good excuse for not going-there ,
no mistaking his meaning. lf Elsie
eepts him he stays nj home; IL she
fuses him. he goes"
'And what DO you say yoursel