Dr. Rumsey's Patient

s still standing in the porch. Everett had owned to himself that he had a decided penchant for the little rustic beauty

ily; "you've almost knocked the pipe out

the night without

ff to?" called E

to you?" was

he extraordinary energy of his language. Armitage went indoors to supper, and thought no more of the circumstance. He was destined, however, to remember it later. Everett continued to smoke his pipe with philosophical cal

Mr. Everett, but w

lied Everett, stop

We're going to shut up the whole place early to-night

; "well, give me the key. I dare say I'll return

ung man the key and

as out of tune with all harmony and beauty. He was in the sort of condition when men will do mad deeds not knowin

ure-he wants her himself. Much he regards honor and behaving straight to a wom

he went the more fiercely did his blood boil within him. All his life hitherto he had been calm, collected, reasonable. He had taken the events of life with a certain rude philosophy. He had intended to do well for himself-to carve out a prosperous career for himself, but although he had subdued his passions both at college and at school, he had never blinded his eyes to the fact that there lived within his breast, ready to be awakened when the time came, a devil. Once, as a child, he had given

he took no pains to conceal the fact from his

and on, acr

m distance he heard

, stop a moment, I'

ng home with a bagful, suddenly appeared in Frere's path

lling yer," he said

rett's figure silhouetted against the sky, and then took wildl

erett had spent whole days on the plain revelling in the solitude and the splendid air, but they had neither of them ever visited it at night before. The whole pl

might have broken your leg

n himself faced him about three feet away. Frere c

he said. "You've come to meet a madman. Turn ba

erstand you,

mendous restrai

on my soul I don't, but there's a devil in me to-nigh

swered Awdrey. "The plain is as open to me as

ross where you are s

aside and le

Their voices, each of them growing hot and passionate, seemed sc

heaven above, I don't want to spare you

to have anything to do with you-

k-you're a liar-you're no gentleman. Shall I tell you why you interfer

y that he did not even reply. He came to

ong pause. "I excuse you, of course, I do

terfered between Hetty Armitage and me because yo

ou!-it's yo

ded virtue. Get out of the way, or I

ssion prevented

im was so preposterous that i

misapprehension. I wish to protect Hetty Armitage as I would any other

that you n

he had closed with Awdrey, and raising a heavy cane wh

te, you scoundrel, you low

Awdrey to the ground. The two young men rolled over together. Then with a quick and sudden movement Awdrey sprang to his feet. He had no weapon to defend himself with but a slight stick which he carried. Frere let him go for a moment to spring upon him again like a tiger. A

r man, prod him in the mouth. Grasp your stick in both hand

e grasped his own slender weapon and rushed forward. He aimed full at Frere's open mouth. The stick went a

his limp hand in his, felt for a pulse-there was none. With trembling fingers he tore open the coat and pressed his hand to the heart-it was strangely still. He bent his ear to listen-there was no sound. Awdrey was scarcely frightened yet. He did not even now in the least realize what had happened. He felt in his pocket for a flask of brandy which he sometimes carried ab

felt again in his pocket-discovered a box of matches which he pulled out eagerly. He struck a match, and by the

rld have I killed him for? Yes, undoubtedly I've killed him.

his stick. The stick had a narrow steel ferrule at

witness," said A

tep was uncertain. He stooped as he walked. Presently he came to a great c

im. He was certain that if he raised his eyes and looked in front of him, he must see the ghost of the dead man. It w

l that poor fellow. I ran at him in self-defence. He'd have had my blood if I hadn't his. Sha

ide doors of the great mansion with a latch key. The Awdreys were early people-an orderly household who went to roost in good time-the lamps were out in the house-only here and there was a dim illum

troubling him about this horrid matter

he door of his r

old, just inside the door, a little

sister Ann. It

gone early to bed, I thought I'd let you know in case you choose to get up at cockcrow, and perhaps leave us fo

xcited beating of his heart cooled down. He sank into a ch

garet for the world,

nd sound asleep. He awoke at his usual hour in the morning. He rose and dressed calm