South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-30

ly admirable of course But this is a grief far
removed from the normal; James Chaldrakes
life, so il seems to me, has been one long
penance. and tell you again, have never I'M
derstood why. The inscrutable DEGREES of Provi-
dence ordained that his brother should be
drowned at sea. 1t was natural that so grievous
a loss should affect James, but not natural at
all that it should affect him as it has done"
/ made some remark about the quarrel be-
tween the brothers, and he gently shrugged.
THAT is so; they quarrelled, but even so
no, DR.. Allaby, ii is not natural And the queer
thing is this: They quarrelled about a girl.
and / have always understood that those who
knew the circumstances fully expected that
James would marry her after a proper and de-
corous interval had elapsed following his
brothers death. She had chosen Hugh. but
believe her feelings toward James had always
been those of attachment and cordial liking.
But he made no attempt to press his suit, and
some years afterwards the girl married one
Of the Dorset Fanes. That, too, l never under
stood"
Nor did I. l only knew that for some reason
beyond me. and apparently beyond those who
knew James Chaldrake much better than
did, he had spoilt his life pinng for that
brother with whom he had quarrelled.
III.
The riddle was solved on the twenty-eighth
Of June, solved in circumstances every little
detail of which l shall remember long as
live. In the morning paid my usual visit to
the Grange, and found James Chaldrake in bed.
where he had every reason for being, COnsid-
ering the state he was in. He was semide-
lirous and very weak. And still his poor few
cred mind kept dwelling upon the one subject
still he had that queer Obsession that he could
see his brother in the water and could hear
him crying for help. 1t was pitiful to hear him
and TO sc the terrified intensity of his eyes as
he had that vision Of a night of long ago. Once
he whispered:
"oh, how could I, Hugh. Hugh, speak to me;
l loved you always"
left him after giving instructions that on
no account must he be allowed to leave his
bed. An hour later l sent over some sedative
medicine.
That evening had TO go TO one of Motifs
patients at a village three miles away, and it
was about half-past eight when ! returned. |
found waiting for me the old butler from the
Grange, and as soon as l saw him ] knew that
he brought bad news. Almost before ! had got
In the hall he had come up to me and clutched
my hand and his own hand was trembling.
"Oh, sir" he said, in a shaking voice, come
at once! The master has slipped away"
I stared my surprise. and there the old fellow
was. almost dragging me 20 the door.
Miss Chaldrake went to his room an hour
ago, and he had gone. She told me TO come for
you, sir. Oh. be quick, be quick"
was quick, think. for a was at the Grange
ten minutes later And there in the hall found
Miss Chaldrske waiting for me. Re face was
quite colorless. and the pallor We enhanced
y
a quick fancy that / should soon have two
patients at the Grange on my hands
HE has gone" she said in a strange, me-
chanical voice. And then she told me what |
knew already, that she had gone to her broth
er's room and found that he had got up
dressed, and left the room and the house.
And what have you done?" l said, now thor
Oughly alarmed
'Berners got some men together before he
came for you. They are looking for him. these
men from the village"
Suddenly she covered her face with her
hands, and IL was Just then that | heard
sharp rat-tat at the door. and took it upon my
self to answer il personally. The village con
stable was standing there, and he peered up at
me with a latent excitement in his manner.
Can you tell Berners 10 come, sir? We want
some ropes-weve rugged up a drag. doctor"
He lowered his voice when he said that but
not enough. For Miss ChaldrakA was al our
side, and l shall never forget that unhappy
woman's face just then.
The mere" she whispered and then stood
as though turned TO stone And then a little
pitiful cry broke from her lips. and she turned
Snd left US