The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-11-28
CHAPTER Ix.-continued.

Some days Lizzie seemed more Lam
guild. some days less languid some
days she seemed almost herself again:
iJbut every day-day after day without
fail-Dr Blake came to see her. Then
ono day there was n sudden change to
cooler weather, and Lizzie seemed very
much better. DR.. Blake said she had
gained more ground In twcnty-four
hours than. In the last fortnight.
well. Sir" said Mrs Prico to her
master. 81 begin to think you'll have
to give tho doctor another hint--and
that was wrong to speak to Sou as i
done--und p'raps 1t was only the heat
after ALL
"Do you. think" asked old Crunden
eagerly, shes really on the mend,
| then?"
Il begin to think so. She says she's
all right. and never was wrong. She
says it's him that worries her--com-
ing and asking so many questions
Icross-cxamining of her."
| But then, almost Immediately, DIR.
Blake did something extraordinary and
unexpected. lie dismissed himself. He
had been treated handsomely by Mr..
Crundcn. and perhaps he was anxious
to show that he. too, could act hand
somely. The patient, In this less OPP
pressive weather, now walked, drove
and had insisted upon writing letters
for her father. She was out for
walk when DR.. Blake paid his last
visit.
Really" said DIR. Blake. unless you
summon me, I shan't come again"
Docs that mean she Is all right?
well, my dear sir. II we have not
gained as much ground as l hoped, we
have certainly not lost ground. Wish
I could be of further service-but
doubt IL / can. -. May / come
into the garden with you? ! should
like n few confidential words"
| Mrs Price, after admitting the doc
| tor. had not withdrawn. She was lis
tening openly, watching the doctors
face. hanging on all his words. y
THAT good SOUL" said DR.. Blake In
the garden, ''is somewhat inquisitiye.
have once or twice had little diff
Guilty in getting rid of her when !
wanted to hear the patients own ac-
count OF herself"
Gust So" said Crunden. "she pokcs
her nose in. But for why? Only Tor
this, sir: she's fond of my girl. Shes
very fond of Liz. I,
II am not surprised at tllat, sara
DR.. Blake. "And your Mrs. Price Is an
excellent good soul, am sure. But !
wanted to speak quite freely. You
know. in a sense, i have been baiiled by
your daughters case"
"Baf,lcd?" said Mr.. Crundcn. with
considerable testincss. If that's the
way Of 1t, surely you could have said
that before now"
"N1y dear sir. YOU misinterpret my
meaning and DIR. Blake's smile was
blandly tolerant. only quacks preteni
tn master every case they meet. We'll
this is n case which have not COM
nletely mastered. Perhaps no doctor
| could have mastered it." As
eve might have given announcer uoc
| tor the chance, anyhow.
"Nay. nay, my dear sir; that Is
| scarcely polite
"I',n a plain man. sir, said Sruhue.,
| cruftly. IF my girls sick, l want her
rsound; II she's sound-"eii' =
taBear with me-" said DR.. Blake ur-
/ banely. IT wish to be of service 10
you. I am father myself, you Rno"
as we'll as doctor. J.. ~
There was much Kindness In his
tone as he said this. He seemed 10
drop his profess onal manner. ne
seemed determined not to be huffed
| He was, of course, dismissing himself
not being dismissed by Mr.. Crunden
and he had evidently made up his MIND
to exit graciously. Really the eminent
DR.. Blake was not bad old boy, N
spite OF his pompousness, his medical
maxims, and his very long bills.
II repeat" said DR.. Blake, II wish
/ to be OF service to you both. AS a doc
tor, can say, outwardly all Is as u
4 should Debut there Is this lassitude
Lassitude at Miss Crunden's age IS a
1 serious thing. BY the by. how old is
she eXactly?"
Twenty two"
$50 / surmised--about twenty-five
i A critical ase-always, u critical age
81. In our little conversations have
been struck by your daughters charm
and Intelligence.
"Shc's had a good education.
"Unquestionably. may say--n"t az
a doctor-as a fathcr-Aiss Crtlndel
is very charming youn s II siy