Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-07-20

NeSu IN some lneNpiicaDi0 way
with Miss Weston. and the Bruce
woman. who seems 70 be the head and
'front.' OF the whole thing, has written
letters TO Miss Weston. and even 10
! me, most OF which contain vague res.
erences TO Miss Carney and threats
that"
The Bruce woman written 30 WON'T.
exclaimed the doctor. Why. my dear
SIR. It is imposslblel have known
the woman for dozen years and she
cannot read a word or write letter! =
At that moment be was summoned
hurriedly 10 Miss Weston's room and
was handed 3 telegram from Mao
Ardel which read:
Keep away from that hole and do
nothing TIL you set my letter. Your
hfe may depend on It Wire n you
wish me TO come.
The messenger was waiting and.
With no thought OF the letter to which
he referred. but only to hasten the
time when some one would be with
me 10 whom could talk. I replied
Sith the single word. Come
CHAPTER XIV.
\ Drive In the Storm
A moment later the doctor returned
hurriedly 20 the library for his medi-
cine case and said
I Wish we could get consultation
here in the country he continued.
measuring out some powders with a
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 proionging her life for a
time. We cannot hope 90 save her.
but I wish We could keep her till Car
ney comes"
Il have telegraphed my friend Mac
Ardel TO come and help me solve the
mystery OF the place" / ventured eau
tiously. not wishing 60 hurt his pro-
fessionai pride You know he was
with me here last summer and we had
a number OF very peculiar experiences
then, so he knows good deal about
Il already. and thought We could
work together 90 advantage. Perhaps
he could be oi service to you at the
same time"
The very mani" exclaimed the doc
tor Il know him well by reputation.
When viii De arrive?"
II my wire is delivered promptly he
can get here ol the midnight train"
replied. Il know ho will start at once.
for sent Tor him at his own sugges-
ton. In response 20 a letter from me
telling him az The tunnel AFFAIR. and
think he has some very definite the
cries on the subject
Just tie th.ugi" cried tho doctoF
picking up the powders and hurrying
toward the door. Let me know the
minute De sets foot Ia the house. /
shall be here all night"
AS he left the room strove to col
lect my scattered thoughts aud deter
mine the present aspect OF the situa-
ton. II the widow could not write.
who, IN heavens name. did send the
notes? 10 did not appear probable that
the doctor was wrong In what he had
said. and. moreover. the statement
served 20 explain the merriment OF
jerks when had accused her directly
of being the author OF the letters
san. she had assumed all responsl-
bility for them. which was tantamnunt
20 writing them as FAR as their prac-
teal features we're concerned. and I
finally decided that II they were not
her own work they must have been
written az her dictation which really
amounted 70 the same thing.
I spent the afternoon IN the library.
hoping that I might see Miss Carney
and az least offer her my sympathy Ia
her present trouble. even II / said no
more at this time. but she did not
come down stairs during the entire
day, and AZ 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 OF It's fury and the
drifts that were piling up and block
Ing the roads at every point. an
nounced my determination to go with
the sleigh TO meet MacArdel.
You'd better not try TO bring three
people back through the drifts" said
the doctor, who had Just come in for
3 bite and a cup OF coffee. you can't
drive two horses TO advantage in this
weather. and II you insist upon going
why don't you take my mare and cut
tor and go alone? She's been in the
stable all day and she knows every
, inch OF the road, so II 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 the
wind pretty cold after you've been In
Il bit"
Although I had but two miles or
| Whereabouts to travel from the house
to the railway station made an early
start and had the horse at the door
before ten O'Clock. The doctor came
down 20 see nae or and gave re . few
! parting words OF advice.
AS ! opened the door II was almost
blown out OF my hand by the force Of
the wind and great sheets OF snow and
sleet came sailing in, under the prots-
cochere and half way down the haIl.
bundled myself UP in the doctors
/ nj - a