The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-05-10
CHAPTER TX.

celVe an invitation.
1t was summer, and Mr.. Deepdale
and Walter were in the country.
This change of residence had been
brought about in the following manner.
For some time past Walter had been
anxious about his father, whose health
seemed to be failing, and as this was q
matter which touched his heart very
closely, he consulted a;doctor, who was
at once physician and friend.
Let US have the symptoms" said
the doctor, after Walter had explained
the cause Of his visit.
MY father" said Walter, "is often
detected"
$50 are most men at times. I am
often detected" ~
But my father was never so until
lately"
Nonsense, nonsense. You mean you
never noticed it until lately-the rea-
son being, Walter, that he showed you
| ever his sunny side" ..~3
HE does that now, sir, and bright
ems up Immediately ait sight of me, IN
suspicious that I have been closely OBJ
serving him. ~
Good lad His appetite?"
Failing off,"
what other symptoms?"'
"We sleep in adjoining rooms. On
two occasions within the last month I
have woke up in the night with an un-
easy impression on my mind. On each
occasion 1 have gone into my fathers
room and have found him awake. He
was always a sound sleeper"
ION those occasions did he address
| you cheerfully?"
Yes; even with more than usual
tenderness"
There is no cause for uneasiness,
Walter. In the course of a week I will
call and see him, not as a doctor, but
as a friend; then 1 will take notes."
The result of these notes was that
the physician advised Walter to take
his father into the country.
There are ailments" he said, (which
are beyond the physicians art to dis
| cover without the aid of those who suf-
fer from them. I can satisfy you on
n point; your father is not afflicted
with any organic disease, but there
appears to be something on his mind.
Even there I may be wrong; it is quite
as likely that all he needs is change
of air and scene. Perhaps it will be as
well to let him think that it is you
who need the change"
This innocent deceit was practised,
and at the beginning of summer Wal
ter and his father were the occupants
Of a small cottage, situated about a
mile from Rochester, owned by q moth
erly woman, who attended to their
wants.
1t "a one OF the prettiest cottages
imaginable; its walls were covered
with roses, and it lay in the midst
of a very garden of flowers.
Surrounded by lovely scenery and
within an hour and a half's railway
ride to London, it would have been
ulllSulI W HdNS Roullo q iuOlC NOh-
venient and beautiful residence.
Contented and happy, however, as
MI. Deepdale appeared to be when he
and his son were together. the change
did not remove from him the detection
which Walter had observed in him, and
at length the young man mustered suf-
fcient courage to approach the subject
in conversation.
Between these sensitive and SYM
| pathetic souls courage really was re-
CURED to approach a theme, the open
ing of which might suggest that on
one side or the other there was some
considerable concealment Of suffering.
Are sou quite we'll, dadT'
"Quite well, Wally."
And Mr.. Deepdale raised his eyes to
his sons face. for there was q trem-
ulous ring in the young mans voice
And happy"
"Quite happy"
And now the tremulousness of Wal
ter's tones found 4 response in his
own. why, what should make nS
otherwise?'
Nothing in my knowledge, dad"
Now. ordinarily. according to the
fashion in which these two generally
carried on a conversation, the answer
to this, from Mr.. Deepdale, would have
been, Nor in mine. Wally."
4, But on the. present occasion these
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