Dr. Rumsey's Patient

day the Squire completed his twenty-first year. On the following Thursday Robert Awdrey was to marry Margaret Douglas, and between these two days, namely, on Tuesday and Wednesday, Frank Ev

turned full upon this young man. But great as was the interest which all who knew him took in Awdrey, it was nothing to that which was felt with regard to a man who was a stranger in the county, but whose awful fate now filled all hearts and minds. The strongest circumstantial evidence was against Frank Everett, but bey

face began to assume a worn and anxious expression. She could hardly think of anything except the coming t

g of age on Monday, but surely there is nothing unreasonable in my asking to have the wedding postponed for a week. I will own that I am superstitious-I come of a s

; they met hers with a curious expression of irritation in them. T

ight to get up sympathy for that poor unfortunate Everett. Try as I may, however, I utterly fail to feel even pity for him. Margaret, I would conf

est," said Margaret, lo

ake me fanciful. I never felt better in my life,

?" she

numbness in the back of my head. I should th

and looked ahead

what fact

-every one all over the county knows that sometimes-som

hing of the kind. I have a cousin-he is in the medical profession-you shall know him when we go to London. I spoke to Dr. Rumsey once about this curious phase in your family history. He said it was caused by an extraordinary state of nerves, and that the resolute power of will was needed to overcome it. Dr. Rum

smiled

to be my wife. You will help to bring forward all that is best in me. Margare

her married a strong-minded Scotch wife the cu

race of the family malady, and as for me, I didn't know what nervousness meant until within t

imes," said Margaret. "Wha

ou will laugh when I tell you

e way, you have n

ve put it. When last I remember using it, I was talking to that unfortunate young Frere in the underwood. I wish

-you will remember where you have put th

an who killed him ran his walking-stick into his eye. The doctors say that the ferrule of the stick entered the brain, causing

exclaimed Margaret. "The next thing you will do is to assure

ar idiosyncrasies, small lapses of memory make one anxious. I should be happy if I could find the stick, and h

she replied, i

e, dearest, on th

st of all. I will put aside my superstit

sand times-how ha

ome in the hi

n a measure pervades this part of the country. The cheers which followed Awdrey's speech rose high on the evening air. Immediately afterward there was supper on the lawn, followed by a dance. Among those assembled, however, might have been seen two anxious faces-one of them belonged to Mrs. Armitage. She had been a young-looking woman for her years, until after the night of the murder-now she looked old, her hair was sprinkled with gray, her face had deep lines in it, there was a touch of irritation also in her manner

eautiful face?" they said. "It was on h

me down and asked Mrs. Armita

she said. She hesitated, the

ay, his eyes met

er on," he said, nodding c

pressed her ha

given a year of his life to dance even once with beautiful little H

upon any one else." She sat down presently in a secluded corner. Her eyes followed Awdrey wherever he went. By and by Margaret Douglas noticed her. Th

ty," she said, "I

up; she bega

s, I am quite wel

" said Margaret. "Why

id Hetty, turning suddenly away. H

dance," thought Margaret. "All her thoughts must be occupied with this terrible

t her hand impulsivel

eep and full sympathy. "I see that you are suffering a great deal, but you w

tay at home, plea

ced once, Hetty. Would you not like to have a dance with the S

"Oh, is that you, Hetty? I h

ret. "There is a waltz just striking up-

m. "Yes, I will dance with him once," she said to herself. "It will please me-I am doing a great deal for him, and it will strengthen me-to have this pleasure

k?" said the Squire; he gave he

ut Hetty had soon to p

out of the crowd. Here, let us sit the dance out

bert, I am much better now

e added hastily, "I ought not to forget that you have a good deal to worry you just now. You must try to keep

startled glance. The next moment her whole face was covered with confusion. "Oh, what have

. "You will be under oath, remember." He stood up

. Robert; I'd like to

is it?" said the

es for a moment, th

God doesn't forgive," she said in a whisper, "for

harp, short voice. "Why should you w

re married. I think I'll go home now, sir. I'm not quite well, and it makes me giddy to dance. I wish you a happy

e, shake hands, won't you? God bless you, li

village, passing silently through the lovely gardens and all the sweet summer world

there was no perceptible want of energy about her-her cheeks were pink with the color of excitement, her lovely eyes shone brightly. She gave her testimony in a clear, penetrating, slightly defiant voice. That voice of hers never once faltered. Her eyes full of desperate courage were fixed firmly on the face of the solicitor who examined her. Even the terrible ordeal of cross-examination was borne without flinching; nor did Hetty once commit herself, or contradict her own evidence. At the end of the cross-examination, however, she fainted off. It was notic

verett and Everett's mother. Mrs. Everett was present at the trial. She wore a widow's dress and her veil was down, but once or twice she raised it and looked at her son; the son also glanced at his mother. Margaret had seen these glances, and they wr

ng trunk. Oh, yes, that dress will do; any dress will do. What hats did you say? Any

t rise until late to-night. The jury are sur

ow. Mr. Awdrey may have returned

dinner. Her future sisters-in-law, Anne an

ite and tir

I am always pale. Dorothy, has a

o tell us that we are not to wait dinner for either father or

ay out here. I don

from here? I love this part of the grounds better than any other spot. You

ret, with a shiver. "I wish Gr

ised her delicate

. "Surely, Margaret, you are not going to get nervous and

r feet. "Excuse me, Dorothy, I s

e you are, and I'll

ease le

t, you a

ight," repl

iftly down

nd stopped until

e asked br

her shoulders, and look

she said. "Quic

ngly recommended him to mercy. Magg

s neck, and hid her trembli

the eve of our wedding-day. Oh, I fe