Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-06
KATHERINE


with its horde Of harassing and unfamiliar
sensations remained stamped upon Mil
bankes mind; and not least among the I'M
pleasant recollections was the visit of
Molyneaux and the dinner at which he him
self unwillingly played host.
1t may have been that his usually placid
suscephbilities had undergone strain that
rendered him oversensitive; but whatever
the cause. the atmosphere diffused by the
great man Jared upon him. In his eyes 1t
seemed little short Of callous that one who
had just passed sentence Of death upon his
patient could so far remain unmoved as to
partake with relish of the dinner set be-
fore him, and comment with affable appre-
citation upon the quality Of the patients
wines.
Milbanke spoke little during the course of
that meal. Try as he might to enact the
part intrusted to him. his thoughts persist
emily wandered to the room upstairs with
Its doomed sufferer and its anxious watch
ers. as yet mercifully ignorant of the YER
dict that had been pronounced But If the
host was silent. the guests made converse
ton. Gallagher was assiduous in his at
tentions to the man who in his eyes, stood
for the attainment Of all ambition: and
Molyneaux-under the unlooked-for stimu-
lus of good. IL homely, food. and wines that
even as an epicure he admitted to be re-
markable-was graciously pleased to accept
the homage Of his humble colleague and to
display a suave glimpse of the polished wit
for which he was noted in society.
His expressions Of regret were perfectly
genuine when at last the sound of wheels
on the gravel of the drive broke In upon
his discourse, and Gallagher deprecatingly
drew out his watch.
THE way of the world. Mr.. Milbanke,"
he murmured as he rose. Our pleasantest
acquaintance end the soonest. l must wish
you good-bye-with many thanks for your
delightful hospitality. So far as our poor
friend is concerned" he added, In cor
n1<Ir H. HnlIo rk,ar I,4
relied upon to do everything. In a case
like this, where physical pain is recurrent
and violent, we can only have recourse to
narcotics. We have already allayed the
suffering consequent on my examination
and you may rely upon some hours Of
calm; for any subsequent contingency DR..
Gallagher has my Instructions. OF course.
II you wish me to have one more glimpse
at him before 1 go
But Milbanke who had also risen, held
out his hand mechanically.
"Oh, nor he said, quietly. No, thank
you. I don't think we will trouble you any
further. 1t has been great satisfaction to
have obtained your-your opinion"
Molyneaux waved his hand magnani-
mously.
DO not mention it." he murmured. my
regret Is deep that l have been Of so little
avail. Goodbye again, Mr. Milbanke. 1t
has been an honor as well as pleasure to
meet you"
He smiled blandly and added the last re-
mark as Gallagher solicitously helped him
into his fur-lined travelling coat. Then, still
suavely genial, he passed out OF the dining
room toward the hall door.
Gallagher hurried after him, but in pass
ing Milbanke he paused
"Ill be back in an hour, Mr.. Milbanke,"
he said. I'm just going as far as Carrig-
more with DR.. Molyneaux to get an addi-
tional supply of morphia."
Milbanke nodded silently and in his turn
stepped into the hall.
When the two men had entered the wait
N vabic1a whep MO1VneanY had waved
courtly farewell and the coachman had
gathered up the reins, he turned and slowly
began to mount the stairs.
Instantly his foot touched the landing
Mrs Asshlin darted from the shadowy cor
rdor.
What news?" she asked. agitatedly.
"Oh, Mr.. Milbanke, what news? The sus-
pense has been dreadful.
Her voice trembled. Tears came very
easily to Mrs. Asshlin. and her habitual at
titude of mourning had heretofore frritated
Milbanke. But now her thin face and faded
black garments came as curiously well
come contrast to the bland affluence, the
genial, complacent superiority of Molly
neaux. He turned to her with feeling of
warmth.
Forgive my delay, Mrs. Asshlin" he
said, gently. lone is never in hurry to
impart bad news. DR.. Molyneaux holds out
no hope-not a shadow OF hope; ,.-
There was a pause, then Mrs. Asshlin
made a tragic gesture.
"Oh, the childrenv she murmured. 1.-The
poor poor children! What will become Of
them?"
"The children will be provided for Mil
banke said, hastily Then, without giving
her time for question or establishment he
went on again. >,
Don't say anything of this to Clodagh,"
he enioined "She must have these last
hours In peace"
Certainly! Certainly! Poor Denis! Poor
Denis! 1 always said he would have an I'M
fortunate end. But go in and see him, Mr..
Milbanke; Clodagh is in the room"
Milbanke silently acquiesced and moved
slowly down the corridor.
At the door of her fathers room he found
Nance still patiently watchful He paused.
arrested by his new sense of obligation, and
looked down into the upturned, wistful little
face.
what are you doing here. Nance7" he
She made a valiant attempt to conJure up
her pretty. winning smile, but her lips be-
gan to tremble.
II don't know" she said, slowly and soft
Nv: then in sudden burst Of confidence she
stepped close to him.
"Clo doesn't like me to go in." she muir
INJURED. "she thinks 1t makes me sad to
I'd be in Hannah's way in the kitchen, and
I don't like being with Aunt Fan, and-and
I'm frightened to be by myself. There's a
horrid sort Of feeling in the house."
Her dark-blue eyes searched Milbanke' s
face appealingly; and with a sensation of
pity and protection he stopped and took
one of her cold limp hands In his.
You may come in he said, gently ut
is very lonely out here. 1 think we can
make Clodagh understand"
Without hesitation her fingers closed
round his in a movement of confidence and
gratitude, and together they passed into
the room where Asshln lay peacefully I'M
der the influence of the narcotic admins
tered by Molyneaux. By Gallagher's or
ders the nurse-who had been deprived of
! her necessary rest in the morning-had re-
! tired to her room again in preparation for
| the night and only Clodagh was in attend
ance Having quietly closed the door, MIL
banke halted hesitatingly, expecting flood
| of questions But to his intense surprise
she did not even glance in his direction.
| She sat motionless and pale, her eyes on
| her fathers face her attitude stiff and al
most defiant. He wondered for moment
whether, by the power of instinct, she had
OWNED Molyneaux's verdict, or whether,
| through some source unknown to him. the
news of 1t had already reached her. With a
sense of trepidation, he frightened his fin
gers round Nances small hand and drew
! her silently into a corner of the room.
For more than an hour the three watchers
sat regarding their patient No one at
tempted to speak-no one appeared to have
anything to say. Once or twice Mrs. ASH
| lin fitted agitatedly in and out Of the
| room. but none Of them took heed Of her