New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-19


midnight. and all chichester seemed to be in bed
The lights had disappeared from the sedate houses
round about and only DIR. Clements lamp burned
brightly. throwing streak OF red across the wet
empty and wind swept street
1t was ugly night and Dr. Clement put down
his paper to listen. A fierce sleet beat and Kissed
against the window panes and the wind drove
blusteringly round the house.
1t was an ugly night. and It going to be
worse and DIR. Clement hoped fervently that
one would call him out again. He had had q hard
day. and his was cosey and he
He picked up his paper again. 1t was full of
stories OF an absconding solicitor and OF ruuors OF
his whereabouts. He had disappeared and ruined
hundreds OF his clients. One OF them was in Elm
chester, and Dr. Clement frowned as he thought OF
him. worried and broken and ILL
They ought to shoot him when they catch him.
he muttered. He is worse than murderer"
Tonight the papers stated confidently that he
In Spain. and that the police following hard
on his track. Yesterday he had been in Manches-
ter. the day before in New-York- Tomorrow he
would be in a neighborhood altogether. no
doubt, and meanwhile he probably somewhere
close at hand-peEhaps in Chichester itself.
Dr. Clement threw aside his paper and to
his feet. After all. very likely the police would
never find him, and IL they did 1t would
do much toward healing the hearts and lives that
he had broken and ruined. Nothing would do that:
and the old in chichester who had believed
he had sufficient money to last him and his wife
the rest OF their lives would be penniless all the
DIR. Clement crossed the room with a sigh and
then stood still A faint tinkle had sounded in the
hall outside unkle like the bell OF his front door
He listened. The sleet whipped the window panes
and the wind clustered There no other
sound. and for n moment he hesitated before he
passed out to open the door.
Who could be calling him out night like
that3 He had no one so seriously i'll to need
him in such haste. and If it was Lady Lynwood
again he decided that he would refuse to CO. Her
sspar X-rita
He flung open the door impatiently. convinced
that he should see her tall footman on the step
and hear the we'll known formula, Lady Lyn-
woods compliments. and she is very much worse.'
But when he looked only the darkness OF the
night lay before him. Only his own wet steps and
the muddy road.
He stared and then reiterated backward hurriedIy
as the cold wind tore past. but as did some one
started from out OF the shadow-some one thin
and white. with the face Of ghost and wide
girlish blue eyes
He stared down at her. She seemed breathIess
and as the light fell full her he saw that her
lips were quivering.
Come in" he said quickly. land tell me what I
do for you"
She stepped. shivering cold and wet into the
hall and looked into his face. He closed the door,
and for moment she stood before him in silence
looking eagerly into his eyes. into his handsome
clear cut face. If she had a special interest in
watching him closely. you are Dr. CIemeut?'
she asked at last slowly; and as he bowed she
added, Il thought you an old man. not a
young man. and r.
She stopped. and Dick Clement moved SO that hs
could her face more clearly.
We'll. did you want old manP' he asked
But tell me what can do for you"
She hesitated again her eyes looking almost
oh She cried at last suddenly. II want vou
She looked quickly Into his face, and somehow,
as he met her eyes He looked 9aicy C at SeF
shabby seat and hat and decided as quickly that
eriy dressed led and and ta .Tnu care Of;
The girl stepped back deliberately into the shadow
of worry lately. Observation-Disclosures comes TO him
quck Do You understand? He isqu secret RHq
voice choked little and once more there came TO |
help herprotect her-n spite Of the o %snt sr 90
he SAID SnG De sRTndfs up shGut hsT
urgent case oughtn't We TO go at onces'
one can trust Want some S On e' Who w want
ever ger. comes stN5a. can keep a secret"
6ered what madness It was that at that moment
promise her all she wished Perhaps IT Was I her
thin. girlish face. the anxious lcok in her eyes
he put his hand on hers and looked into her ewes
I'll do everything I can" he said. You can
Then come, she cried MY name IS waterer.
DR.. Clement looked at her with some curiosity
the Red House had been let for nearly year. It
six months age. but it was only lately that the
tenant had taken possession, and even now he had
not been visible 10 in E1mchester
Now he was III; and to DR.. Clement his daughter
was the most beautiful girl ne had ever seen
He pulled on his macintosh and opened the door
again with a quick glance at her dripping coat
She looked i'll herSelf-in and worried and wet
through. and the strange longing TO help her. to be
IF use to her, came back with sudden swiftness as
hey stepped out into the dark and muddy road
He held out his 10 her.
Let me help you" he said: 1T is SO dark"
But to his surprise she shrank away from him
mo no., she said with white lips ct am best
by myself"
They hurried on and at last Dr. Clement found
himself bending to open the rusty gate OF the PED |
House. II was small gate In a high wan and |
he house lay we'll hidden.
Promise" she said quickly and breathIessly |
that you ask him no questions. I only want YOU
o prescribe. We-we-have been abrOad-on The |
Continent for the-tor the last six months and
nd-he Is ill-and worried and-ohi for Gods sake /
lon't question him You promise?'
Her hand held his arm, and DR.. Clement looking |
lown into her strange beautiful face felt himself
Iriously powerless- He thought Of all the rumOrs |
hat Were abroad concerning the Red House-the
furious whispers about the tenant who had taken |
nd furnished it and not inhabited it. and every
hing vanished before girls blue ewes.
"IH ask nothing, he said. IN do all I can"
She looked at him steadily. and then turned and /
walked quickly up the gravel path the house. AS
hey went DIT. Clement fancied he heard footsteps |
ehind hinl-patterfng footsteps ike a dog-but ha