Dr. Lavendar's People

ut nothing definite was known. "Although," as everybody said to everybody else, "of course, Dr. Lavendar knows the whole thing, and probably Willy King does, too." If they did, they k

e baby had lived, do you think, sir?" Wil

t. But Alex will never f

or seven years later. She died; and life closed over the miserable little traged

said, when he he

g upon him sternly, "but ask mercy for yourself, becau

t was enough to hear it. The two men, Mary's father and brother, listened while he

, and lifted his hand and cursed

pportunity is gone-so far as she is concerned. There yet

im!" sa

ho love

ped his face in his

r," Dr. Laven

ot be indifferent to us, wha

th books and lighted only by a fire sputtering in the grate. Mr. Gordon, sitting in his big, w

all go up on the

you bring Danny in, Dr. Lavendar?" he said, carelessly; "the little brute will freeze o

it down," sai

ned respectfully-if I should say gladly you might be shocked. So I only say respectfully. But you have spoken; we have listened. That is all there is to it. The thing is finished. The book is closed. I say thank God! I don't know what my father says. If he takes my advice,

and then, sternly, again: "I can't make you accept the opportunity that still is open to

ly purpling, his light eyes staring and rolling; then he stumbled and jerked himself together, and lurched forward into a chair, breathing loudly. The two old men, trembling

INTO A CHAIR, B

elf and imploring his old friend to say no more. "You won't speak of it again, E

aside while the father helped the son to his feet and led him away. When he came back, shuffling feebly down the long, darkening roo

vendar

down, tumbling back in his chair in a forlorn heap. "Edward," he said, feebly, "tell me about it.

She was sick-I mean in bed-two weeks. She had been ailing for a long time; y

-saw

es

than

avendar said, simply; "

n broke out, in weak, complaining anger: "He wouldn't let me write to her. I would hav

nd the leafless trees at the foot of the garden, a smouldering yellow glow of sunset broke across the gloo

d? I can't go to-morr

ou can,

ve another attack. His

. But John, you do your duty. Never min

go-not possibly," the fat

the end over." He lighted the spill, the little flame flickering upon his poor old face peering out from under his purple handkerchief. "Oh, Alex ought not to be so hard. I would go with you to-morrow, Edward, but I can't, y

sorry if you

"I'm always sorry. I've been sorry a