The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-02-15
The
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lie
Addison gave no sign Of II. His pa
tient demanded and received his I'm
mediate attention. Hastily he admin
istered stimulating hypodermic, and
then. himself assisted In carrying her
to her room.
when he rejoined mo In the library.
hac an hour later. 1t was with the
glad news that she had responded
sraufyinsly 20 treatment, and was
sleeping calmly. After thanking him
Tor his promptness and efieiency. I
said:
You do not remember me?"
on. res. do he returned. almost
brusqusly. fixing me with his gape.
You are Mr.. Clyde. Did you Ket any
RELIEF from the prescription I gave
your"
had not expected the question and
was unprepared for II. In venturiaR
an evasive reply stammered.
Il don't suppose you even had Il
nlled," he declared. with q grim smile
that was at least partially reassuripe.
And 1 admitted that his surnise was
sccurste. Moreover I begged him to
sit down
Il have q confession to make. Doc
tor" I said. a little shamefacedly.
IT 10 Unnecessary. Mr.. Clyde" was
his half-polite rejoinder, as he sank In.
10 q chair before the fireplace. II
read the newspapers. and I have como
to understand many things in the
past few days"
As took . seat opposite to him, I
said:
Tho newspapers have been mis-
leading. fear, DR.. Addison"
NO." he contradicted. his tone
softened. "on the contrary they have
opened my eyes to a truth that was
long hidden; they have made q very
contrite and. ! must confess, q very
unhappy man Of me-"
"Unhappyr
More unhappy than you can con-
csive. Mr.. Clyde. For years I have
mistudsed one OF the best friends
Heaven ever privileged q man to
have"
But. my dear Doctor" I began.
You were not at fault, altogether;
you"
He raised a deprecatory hand. mo,
please DON'T" he pleaded. "You can
not temper It. I should have taken his
word, without question. I knew his
love OF TRUTH probably more than
any one else. What right had I to
conclude then. because OF certain an.
parently irreconcilable happenings,
that his word was falser
I'VE are all fallible," I said.
"Al but he," was his prompt reply.
And then. leaning forward. with a
strained. eager look in those piercing
eyes. his voice vibrant, he asked:
lis II true that he is very III That
he cannot be scent"
For q scruple I hesitated.
"The newspapers have been mis-.
leading. / fear" I said again, and I
Judge my expression OF countenance
was as cryptic as my words. for my Wis.
itor's look changed instantly to one OF
dire perplexity.
"Hs is not ill7" he questioned.
You mean"
"Conndentially. Doctor" I admitted.
we haven't the faintest notion just
how he is. He may be In excellent
health or no may have ceased to
exist"
Good Cod" he exclaimed. and his
face was as white as his linen.
Our best information ia that ne is
on n steamer-a tramo-bound for
China. but we have no particulars, and
worse still. no verification."
IL was neither fair nor consistent 10
conceal longer from one so Justly in.
terested the whole truth. and SO, with.
out reservation, told Dr. Addison the
story.
Before had quite concluded, Miss
Clement was announced, and when
she was shown into the library. I'm.
stead OF permitting the physician to
leave. as he made offer OF doing, I
presented him and insisted upon his
remaining.
II want you 10 tell Miss Clement
about your patient, Doctor" I said.
Miss Clement is very good friend
OF Miss Grayson's."
Graciously he complied. making Il
quite clear that sedativss and sleep
would undoubtedly effect a prompt re-
covery.
and now Miss Clement will tell US
something" I added. "She has had a
patient. too. who died this morning. as
you may have seen by the afternoon
papers-the Euraslan who was shot
by McNlsh."
Up TO that moment knew but little
OF what Soy had divulged. for the mis-.
sionary. I'm her two or three brief tele-
pSnuic tails. had given US scarcely
more tar promises ot important reve-
latlons TLen opportunity could be
made for meeting; and was impa.
tient for the fulhlment.