Holbrook argus., 1912-10-15

hands.
 Pray sk down, nurse" he said. Has Dr. Herslet told you the na. ture of the operation?"
 Yes" I replied. He says 1t Is a serious one."
 Exactly. We'll, a couple of years ago I received a severe blow on the head and Dr. Herslet believes there Is pressure on a certain portion of the brain. Since the time of the accident have suffered from epileptic fits. To save myself from the horrors of a lunatic asylum prefer to take the chance of the surgeons knife. I re- turned home a fortnight ago. When with my regiment I received the blow which I have just mentioned. l was supposed to be dead, but was taken prisoner instead. I have much to live for, should the operation prove sue cessful. If not, there are certain friends whom I would just as soon have believe that perished in India. But must not talk too much as the slightest excitement brings on a fit. Here is the key of my portmanteau. Perhaps, nurse, you will go to my room and unpack some of my things"
 I took the key and went into his bedroom, which adjoined the sitting room. A large portmanteau stood by the door. l unlocked it and began to put away my patients clothes. At the bottom of the portmanteau I found pile of papers on top of which lay photograph. I took the photo graph up, and the well-known face of my late patient, Leonora Trefusis, was before me! My mind reverted to the man I had just left. Surely, as he turned from out the shadow and the lamplight fell upon his features, had noticed something familiar about that frank, open face. Where had I seen It before? Like flash of truth, or what seemed to be the truth, became clear. The man was about to nurse had only just returned from India, where he had been wounded and talk en prisoner. Was 1t possible that I had found Leonora's lost lover? But returned to the sitting room.
 T have unpacked your things" said to the patient. By the way, would you mind letting me know your name.
 My name is Captain Clifford" was the reply.
 I left the room without speaking further. It was nearly 10 o'clock, but I resolved to go straight to Leonora and tell her what I had discovered I dressed hurriedly and was descend ing the stairs when the front door opened and Dr. Herslet entered.
 Have you seen the patient, se?" he asked
 "Yes," I answered. 'T have unpack- ed his things. I am going out to see Miss Trefusis; I have some important news for her."
 . q am afraid I cannot spare you now," he said. ''The operation is to be performed early in the morning and 1 want to talk the case over with you. Come into my consulting room"
 I followed him down the hall and entered the consulting room.
 Now, nurse," he said, what dc you mean by saying you have news for Miss Trefusis?"
 Do you not intend to marry her in about six weeks?" asked.
 Certainly; but what has your news to do with that?"
 Everything. You engaged yourself to marry Leonora on a condition. She promised to wed you only because she believed her old lover to be dead"
 Which he is. I did say to her that if such a thing should happen as that the dead should return to life, l should in honor give her up. But was never sufficiently interested to even ask the name of the gentleman; I preferred to avoid the subject"
 You can scarcely avoid it now" I said. Dr. Herslet, Leonora's old lover exists; he is alive and in this house now. His name is Captain Gif- ford. Go to Leonora, if you do not be- heve me, and ask what her lovers name was. Ask her to show you his photograph. The photograph is that of the man upstairs, your patient"
 Dr. Herslet's cold eyes gazed at me steadily. The mans nerves must have been made of steel, for he never flinched.
 T will investigate your story" he said. 'In the meantime, I do not in- tend to allow you to see Leonora to- night. While I am absent you shall remain here" Without waiting for reply, he left the room, and locked the door after him. At the end of an hour he returned. His face was as cold and impassive as ever.
 'I have verified the truth of your tale," he said. 'I visited Miss Tref. usis, and for the first time since our engagement alluded to her old lover. She wept. I asked his name and par ticulars about him and was shown his photograph. My rival lives; he is up stairs. Tomorrow I am to perform a 4I f