Dr. Rumsey's Patient

paniments of race, was given to them the curse of heredity. A strange and peculiar doom hung over the house. It had descended now from father to son during many generations. How it had first raised i

old which had certainly brought a curse with it. But beyond and above all these things, it was immediately after the West Indian's entrance into the family that that strange doom began to assail the male members of the house which was now more dreaded than madness. The doom was unique and curious. It consisted of one remarkable phase. There came upon those on whom it descended an extraordinary and complete lapse of memory for the grave events of

could understand it, in the second no possible cure could be suggested as a remedy. The curse was supposed to be due to a brain af

the golden gift of hope. As a rule the doom of the house came upon each victim with startling suddenness. One of the disappointments of life ensued-an unfortunate love affair-the death of some beloved member-a money loss. The victim lost all memory of the event. No words,

and body had done her descendants much good. Even the word "nerves" had been unknown to this healthy-minded daughter of the North-her children had all up to the present escaped the family curse, and it was now firmly believed at the Court that the spell was broken, and

all in his favor, and at the time when this strange story really opens, he was looking out at life with a heart full of hope and a mind filled with noble ambitions. Robert was the only son-he had two sisters, bright, good-natured, every-day sort of girls. As a matter of course his sist

ht of the insult which had been offered to her. Poor, silly little Hetty was nothing whatever to him except a remarkably pretty village girl. Her peo

, Hetty," he said. "Now, go home. Don't be out so late again in th

nk him. He watched her until she disappeared into the house, then turn

was just about to leap the brook, when that young man starte

to apologize t

y flu

ou mean?"

ectly honest. She promised to marry me this morning. Whe

Awdrey; "but then," he continued, looking full at Frer

" muttered Frere. Hi

" said Awdrey. "Miss Arm

plied Frere, "I don't mea

st and most respected tenants; Hetty is therefore under our protection, and I for one will see that she

the brook, and disappeared through the

e stood and

t to make Hetty his wife. The Squire's interference awoke the demon of jealousy in his heart. He had patiently borne Everett's marked attentions to th

e Squire it's nothing to me. Hetty had the cool cheek to eat her own words to him in my presence. It's plain to be seen what the thing means. She's a heartless flirt-she's flying for higher game than honest Horace Frere, but I'll p

er and greater fury. Everett was standing inside t

" called Everett, taking

ep me, I want to spe

nto a somewhat

ent moment, old man," he said. "Miss Armitage seems t

s her with you, Everett. I

laughe

d. "She has just been seen home with much ceremon

his belongings. Do y

voice within the house

unt's parlor if you

es

later he was standing opposite to H

added pathos to her lovely face, giving it a look of depth which it usually lacked.

y, speak the truth,"

me to say, Mr. H

h anew. Frere made a step forward. He would have cla

sob, "I can't have any

hat you are saying. Hett

on with it. Forget everything

tell me the truth. Look here, Hetty, I won'

ou mean, M

hoose between th

d the Squire!"

ildly. Her laughter nearly drove Frere mad. He strode up to her

The truth, girl,

go, Mr.

ther the Squire or me; I must hear the truth n

tty, bursting into tears-"it's