The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1910-11-11
CHAPTER XVI.
Continued.

For the next few days Dorothy
seemed better. DR.. Waters had made
O circuit of her room and cleared
away every narcotic and opiate he
could find, telling Virginie to throw
them away.
Now. Lady Derriman, listen to
me-" he said, kindly but sternly, this
sort Of thing must never be resorted
to. 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
to that dainty stand, and took out the
glass bottle she had used before.
IF they won't let me have opium,
] have got my brandy" she said, ex-
ultantly. and she swallowed a small
quantity without a shudder of repug-
nance.
The night of the dinner party had
left its trace behind.
Gervais was not the same; he was
disturbed and vaguely miserable,
though about what he could not say;
but he found himself narrowly watch
ing his wife, and there was much in
{ lat occupation that gave him cause
for uneasiness.
1t was piercingly cold, and all hunt
ing had come to an untimely end by
the advent of black frost, followed
by a heavy fall of snow:
The police were still searching for
the suspected man, but could find no
single trace, and at last the whole
thing was beginning 10 lapse into an
tmpossibility.
By common consent the matter was
tfon at Bromley, for Gervais found
that Dorothy's strange moods were
Increased by mention of it.
So the days drifted on, and Christ
mas drew near
Mrs. Baker had departed to her
home, but George Laxon's child re-
mained behind in the care of kind,
motherly woman, who took an extra
interest in the poor, afflicted creature
because of the tragedy that sur
rounded it.
Gervais, as he told Enid, expected
his mother to be with them two days
before Christmas Eve; and just when
his 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 TAX
ing good rest in the middle of the
day, ever since that memorable even
ing: and one afternoon, as she was
alone in her room, a sudden longing
came over him to go to her, to see her
as he had seen her before that time,
his own dear, beautiful one.
He ran up the stairs, leaving Dare
and Enid in the drawing room deep
IN a discussion on art, and his heart
thrilled fast.
As he was passing along the corri-
der he met Virginle.
"Miladi is asleep, MILFORD" she
said.
In her hand she carried some let
ters.
What are those? Lady Derri-
mans? Give them to me. / am
going in."
Virginie gave them at once, and
then went on her way, just looking
back at him with glance of admira-
tion; for she admired his handsome
face and noble bearing.
Gervais had his hand on Dorothy's
door. when he happened to look down
at the letters, and as he did SO his
brows met in surprise.
The top envelope was a dark blue
one, on which was scribbled Dor
othy's name and address in the most
illiterate and impossible of hand
writing.
Geryais stared at this for another
moment, then, without a moments
hesitation, he tore it open.
1T is from old Joe, no doubt, and
will show his limo cence, poor fellow!
Well, she will forgive me for opening
It, am sure!"