Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-08-16
CHAPTER XIV.
A Drive In the Storm.

1moment later the doctor returned
SAurriedly to the library for his medi-
cine case and said:
Il wish We could get consultation
here in the country" he continued,
measuring out some powders with q
critical air and depositing them on
bits of paper which he had cut for the
purpose. Most Of the deaths in this
part Of the world are from accident or
old age, and man with a large city
practice and extensive hospital expe-
rience might possibly suggest some
means of prolonging her life for a
time. We cannot hope to save her,
but wish we could keep her till Car
ney comes"
81 have telegraphed my friend Mac
Ardel to come and help me solve the
mystery of the place." l ventured eau
tously, not wishing to hurt his pro-
fessional pride. "You know he was
! with me here last summer and we had
q number Of very peculiar experiences
then, so he knows a good deal about
1t already, and thought We could
work together to advantage. Perhaps
he could be Of service to you at the
same time"
"The very mani" exclaimed the doc
tor. 81 know him we'll by reputation.
When will he arrive?"
If'my wire is delivered promptly he
can get here on the midnight train"
replied. Il know he will start at once,
for sent for him at his own sugges-
ton, in response to letter from me
telling him of the tunnel affair, and
think he has some very definite the
cries on the subject.
"Just the thing" cried the doctor,
q picking up the powders and hurrying
toward the door, Let me know the
minute he sets foot in the house. l
shall. be here all night"
As he left the room | strove to COL
lect my scattered thoughts and deter
mine the present aspect of the situa-
ton: II the widow could not write,
Who, in heavens name, did send the
snotes? 1t did not appear probable that
the doctor was wrong in what he had
said, and, moreover, the statement
seTved to explain the merriment of
jerks when | had accused her directly
of being the author of the letters.
Still, she had assumed all response
bility for them, which was tantamount
to writing them as far as their Drac-
tical features we're concerned, and |
finally decided that if they were not
her own work they must have been
written at her dictation, which really
amounted to the same thing.
spent the afternoon in the library,
hoping that | might see Miss Carney
and at least offer her my sympathy in
her present trouble, even If said no
more at this time, but she did not
come down stairs during the entire
day, and at dinner she Sent me word
by Mrs, Randolph that DR.. MacArdel
would be very welcome, not only be-
cause had asked him to come, but for
himself as well, and in the hope that
he might be of benefit to Miss Weston.
The storm had increased steadily all
day but, in spite Ct its fury and the
. drifts that were piling up and block
ing the roads at every point, l an
nounced my determination to go with
the sleigh to peet MacArdel. -,
You'd bettef not try to Bring three
people back through the drifts said
the doctor who had just come in for
q bite and cup of coffee. You can't
drive two horses to advantage in this
weather, and if you insist upon going
. why don't you take my mare and cut
ter and go alone? She's been in the
stable all day and she knows every
inch of the road, so if you just give
her her head she'll bring you through
all right You'd better take my storm
. coat and gloves, too, for you'll find tn,
wind pretty cold after you've been il
1t Bit"
Although had but two miles O
Whereabouts to travel from the hous,
to the railway station l made an earl,
start and had the horse at the doc
before ten o'clock. The doctor cam
down to see me of and gave me a fey
n2rtin0 words NJ advino