Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-10-22
CHAPTER XII.


Nothing could exceed the surprise and
indignation of Philip Surtees on the re-
ceipt of his brothers pencil-written note,
with an addition by Nine Stephanoff,
giving details of Caude's accident and
illness.
Dr. Surtees did not show the letter to
his wife-not just yet, he said to him
self alphabetically. He carried it away
to the consulting room, where he re-
read it. He must put off all his appoint
ments and go right up and see the poor
boy
These were evidently big people Claude
had read about Viscount Gartmore's
tragic death and his love affair To visit
his brother just now might be an intru-
sion into the house of mourning. Per
hape on the whole it would be better
to write-or to wire and then write.
While the doctor pondered the door of
the consulting room was precipitately
opened and Retta came in.
See, Philip" Retta exclaimed "Your
letters were so engrossing this morning
that you forgot to look at the paper
See what dreadful thing has happened
to those Delisles with whom Claude was
stayingl" And she showed him an ac-
count of how Lord Delisle, ain fit of
insanity" had shot the countess and
himself.
Its dreadful to think of such thing
happening in house where Claude is
stayingl" Retta exclaimed. 81 suppose
he will come home at once. However
did he get to know those Delisles,
Philip" There was note of envy and
respect in her voice
my dear" the doctor said, you'd
better just see this letter" And he put
it into her hand Retta was still read
ing it when boy in buttons entered
with telegram. The doctor tore it
open
Come at once. Your brother very i'll.
Brain fever"
Half an hour later DR.. Surtees was
being driven to st. Pancras.
Alexander Lorrin's father. who was
Lord Delisle's heir, was in Rome, and
would not reach Dalmassie till after the
funerals of Lord Gartmore and of the
earl and countess. LOrrin himself-to
still call him by the name he has hither-
to borne-had quietly assumed all the
responsibilities of the family. He re-
ceived DIR. Surtees.
yes, Mime. Vassie explained that it
was trick of your brothers." he said
''Mme Stephanoff," he added, in reply to
the doctors look of bewiderment. "He
is very i'll, poor fellow; the doctors sup
pose he has been very much shaken by
his experiences here Personally, / owe
him a deep debt of gratitude which
would make me exceedingly sorry about
him now, even if ] didn't like him so
wen himself"
On their way TO Claude's bedroom
Lorrin briefly explained to the doctor
that Nine Stephanoff was really Nine
Vassie, but that the girls didn't know it
yet.
She's in the morning room with my
on "She thought you should be alone
with your brother for bit, you know"
The doctor nodded.
He's been raving and calling out and
giving orders and Keeling off prescrip-
TONS" said Lorrin.
Claude" the doctor said, bending
over the bed, Claude, Pm here-it's
Phil. Won know But the young man
looked at him without recognition.
Nevertheless the name Phi" seemed TO
suggest a certain train of ideas.
Poor PHIL the young man said. "He
likes me well enough. It's Retta sets
him up to preach at me. Poor old Phil
/ was Just having lark with him"
IF you'll excuse me-" Lorrin said,
going towards the door, Il will wish you
good night"
All that night the doctor watched by
his brothers bedside, listening to his
rawlings. but the burden of them was
always Trina"
All next day Claude was still very i'll;
and when night came the doctor was
obliged to take a little rest and to sur
render to Mime. Stephanoff" his place
by the bedside His twentyfour hours
closer acquaintance with that lady had
brought him to the admission that
Claude had not been so mad after all.
1t was O'Clock in the morning, In
an adjoining room the doctor was sleep
ing the tranquil sleep induced by long
course OF health exercises Claude lay
ON his bed. pale exhausted, with closed
eyes The fever was over, the precious
life was safe, the young man was asleep.
The great sad house was held by the
stiffness Of the hour. As Nine. Eassie
locked along the corridor she saw
vnmaas figure pacing to and fro
Ii 5as lrua Fassje, in a long white