The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-11-04
CHAPTER XVI.
Continued.


For the next few days Dorothy
seemed better. DR.. Waters had made
q circuit OF her room and cleared
away every narcotic and opiate he
could and, telling virginie to throw
them away.
Now, Lady Derriman, listen to
me- he said. kindly but sternly, athis
sort of thing must never be resorted
< 70. Your nerves are of course un-
strung by recent events, but series
of opiates are not likely to do them
any good at all--in fact, just the re-
verse.
Dorothy listened quietly and made
no reply, but after he was gone and
she was quite alone she went swiftly
tosthat dainty stand. and took out the
glass bottle she. had used before.
If they won't let me have opium,
3 have got my brandy" she said, ex-
Nltantly, and she swallowed small
quantity without a shudder OF repug-
nance.
The night Of the dinner party had
eft its trace behind.
Gervais was not the same; he was
disturbed and vaguely miserable,
though about what he could not say;
Out he found himself narrowly watch
4ng his wife, and there was much in
i&aat occupation that gave him cause
Ger nneasiness.
It was piercingly cold, and all hunt
ing had come to an untimely end by
me advent of a black frost, followed
Nv q heavy fall of snow.
The police were still searching for
Nhe suspected man, but could find no
single trace. and at last the whole
thing was beginning to lapse into an
Ampossibility.
BY common consent the matter was
allowed to drop out of the CONVERSE
zion at Bromley, for Gervais found
chat Dorothy's strange moods were
3ncreased by mention of it.
So the days drifted on, and Christ
mas drew<near.
Mrs. Baker had departed to her
acme, but George Laxon's child re-
manned behind in the care Of kind,
motherly woman, who took an extra
interest in the poor, affiicted creature
because of the tragedy that sur
9ounded It.
Gervais. as he told Enid, expected
mis- mother to be with them two days
before Christmas Eve: and just when
mis- heart was yearning to see the
sweet, noble face that had ever been
near him. something occurred to drive
her and all else from his mind.
He had insisted upon Dorothy taxi
ing good rest in the middle Of the
day. ever since that memorable even
ang; and one afternoon, as she was
alone in her room, sudden longing
came over him to go to her, to see her
"a he had seen her before that time.
mis- own dear, beautiful one.
He ran up the stairs, leaving Dare
and Enid in the drawing room deep
IN discussion on art, and his heart
thrilled fast.
AZ he was passing along the corri-
der he met virginie.
Miladi is asleep, MILFORD" she
said.
In her hand she carried some let
4ers.
what are those? Lady Derri-
man's? Give them to me. / am
going in. /"
Virginie gave them at once, and
chen went on her way, just looking
back at him with glance OF admira-
zion; for she admired his handsome
&ace and noble bearing.
Gervais had his hand on Dorothy's
door. when he happened to look down
ct the letters, and as he did so his
broWs met in surprise.
The top envelope was a dark blue
one. on which was scrubbed Dor
Othy's name and address in the most
dlliterate and impossible OF hand
writing.
Gervais stared at this for another
moment. then. without a moments
hesitation, he tore it open.
It is from old Joe. no ooubt, and
win show his Innocence, poor fellowl
Wen. she will forgive me for opening
It. am sure!"