The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-11-25
THE WARNING
y LETTERS.
->tt-t~
BY RICHARD s. SHELTON.

DfO~ the best athletes the uni.
vcrsity had ever had. From which it
may he readily inferred that Fleming
was not the man to be easily stirred,
especially by anonymous letters.
II was on a mild October day that
The doctor received the first one. II
was addressed in scrawling hand.
evidently disguised
DO not go to 120 Kilton street on any
consideration. This is the advice Of
sincere well wishcr,'
Fleming tossed It into the waste bas-
kct and in two minutes had forgotten
its existence. A day or so later another
met with a similar fate. but when the
third arrived the young physician was
plainly annoyed.
Now, what the thunder" he be-
gan, impatiently, and then again read
the note, which was written in the
same scrawling hand
Under no consideration go to 1876
Kilton street Your practice is not all
you have imagined 1t would be"
Hang it," growed the doctor. that's
true enough
nevertheless. there are things
which money cannot compensate. The
person Interested I'm your welfare who
sends you these notes forces them upon
you because he fears that one or two
YOU might think merely a joke. Per.
nit him TO say II is nothing of the kind.
but a very serious matter, and. more
over. it is highly imperative, for your
present and future welfare, TO give the
above number a wide berth"
The note was signed: "One who takes
interest enough in YOU TO warn YOU"
The doctor was thoroughly cxasper-
atcd.
Interest he hangcd!" he growlcd
Whoever YOU are. YOU are consum-
mate coward Why don't you come
ont like n man? The more fool you to
think I'll pay attention to your imper-
tinent scrawls | don't even know
where your street IS, aud, what's more.
i don't care a rap"
With that he tossed the note into the
waste basket-and ten minutes later
was looking up Kiltou street in the di-
rcctory.
He found it led OF one of the main
thoroushfares down by the wharves
A rather unsavory locality he reflect
ed. and one to which he was in no wise
likely to be summoned.
IL happened that one afternoon
professional call took him down to the
vicinity OF the water front. and as he
came away IL occurred 10 him To go out
Of his way a street or 80 ana have
look at 1876 Kilton street He found il
easily enough-an old brick house, with
swell front running up the entire three
stories. and its general aspect Of dcgen-
GRAFTON heightened by an additional
story recently built on aud covered
with zinc.
so that's the enemy" he said. as he
stood on the opposite curb. "Seedy
hole enough-probably sailors lodg.
ing house. Doesn't look unusually
dangerous. BY jove! I've half a mind
TO 20 over and ring the bell"
IN the few seconds he stood there
waiting he began to wonder what he
should offer for an excuse for his visit
He had received no communication
from the occupants of the house For
the fraction of a minute he saw posi-
bilities Of an awkward situation. These
were dispelled when a we'll groomed
man with gray hair and beard opened
the door and bowed low.
DIR. Fleming. I believe" he said.
won't you step in?'
The door closed behind them. and
Fleming found himself in a large, bare
hall. dinily lighted from the trlnspm
above his head He stood glaring abou.
him in the gloom. while the other man
fumbled for the knob OF the front room
door.
"Well!' said the doctor. and his in
Hection made It a word of yariou:
meanings.
The gray-haired man had found tbs
knob and opened the door.
"Will you kindly step this wayi' sait
he. and he ushered Fleming into a cost
Iy furnished room. A fire glowed IL
the crate, and tiers OF books lined th,
walls.
"welI" said Fleming again. with th
same infection. when he was seated.
His host stood before the fire. hi
hands behind his back. and his cynica
gray eyes scrutinizing the doctors face