MISS DALBY.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2278, 15 September 1899, Page 5

MISS DALBY.

Do I like lady dectors ? 1 don't see why a woman shouldn't be a doctor if she has the vocation ; the first ose I ever knew certainly hadn't a vocation. But I'm not uarrow enough to argue from one specimen, and to show you I'm not prejudiced I may tell vou my wife has always been attended by lady doctors. They have done wonders f< r her—you are right in thinking her much stronger than wheu you saw her a few years ago. This doctor—Miss Dalby—it doesn't matter telling yen her real name—was an odd woman ; very handsome ; of course past her lirst youth, since she had all the possible degrees, and wa« getting into a good pr»ctice. 1 didn't quite know what to make of her at first—do you know the deling some people give you that there are discovfrsrs ta make about them ? Howf ver, Airoee took to her, and she certainly did be good. She became my little wiFe's regular medical attendant. We got friends with ber, too ; she used to come to our parties sometimes. 1 was rather surprised to notice on these occasions that she didn't aeem Ihe attraction to men she ought to hare been, judging by bar looks. 1 used to think her profession repelled them 1 don t think io how. We used to so out a lot too much for Aimee, really, and Mi? 3 Daiby would tell us so ; but a joung man is headless,

and Aimeo was as spirited as she was pretty she is still prettier new, by the bye. So sbe could Dot bave looked at aii well when one night I suggested to her she had better not go to a dance. " Not go !" she said scornfully— she was nearly dressed, and her eyes were briiliaut, ami her cheeks like roses. I was wittered up by that answer ; besides, 1 wanted her io jo. Shr; danced most of the evening, was dead beat going home, and sleepless half the night. By dawn I was dressed and weut myself for Miss Dalby. Well, that was the beginning of » sort of illness—low fever and great prostration; Aimee had had three attacks before. Miss Dalby quite won me, she was so extremely kind to my darling, helping to nurse her, and looking after me —a dangerous game that, you say ?" " You must really take care of yourself, Mr. ! Rockwood," she would say, with her grave, professional air ; it sat prettily on her. " You see, you are quite indispensable in the sick room ; and it may last a long timo." 11 What do you meaD ?" I said startled. " Do you think there is danger ?" " Oh, dear no,' 1 she smiled. " Ycu take alarm so easily, you young busbanils. But low fever is a lingering thing, and your wife being »o delicate, needs great care. So you must eat and sleep and get out."

" Quite right,'' said Aimee, when I told her. " What a trouble I am to you, Lionel ! : ' of course I vowed she wai a treasure past expression, and I would do anything that phased her. and 1 couldn't lire without her. I had uo idea

Miss Dalby had come into the room—l don't care for a witness to love-caking; but ihere she was smiling a little. She had in her hand a plate containing one of tempting dainties she made up for Aimee, and I hat mn beyond our cook. 1 went downstairs, and Miss Dalby presently joiued me to see that 1 hail some tea. After that she would lomttimes sit with me in this way, perhaps stray into a talk about hi r rarlier years, her struggles, and se on. I fancy she did it to divert my anxiety, and when once on twice a servant entering eyed m> companion aver, I considered it an impertinince. A blunderer, you thiuk I was ?—so we all are against a woman ; we haven't a titbe of their finesse. Besides, btr very position—but to my stery.

Aimee got better, came downstairs, indeed, and I wbs beside myself. " Your nursii g," said Miss Dalby, smiling benignly. " Yuur di-ctoriKg and cooking," said I, laughing, to hide my emotion- it was such a delicti! lo have Aimee sitting there in her accustomed place

'' Yes, the cookery is important," said Mi;-s Dalby, still smiliug ; " your cook did not seem very willing to lram when I suggested teachher. She called them ' messes.' But eveii some very good cooks don't undei stand making up things for sick people." She made a most perfect little dish for Aimee a day or twe afterwards. Why, 1 could net understand but the genius of the kitchen certainly turned up her noie at these culinary triumphs." "Professional jealousy," I said to Aimte.

I laughed—she smiled faintly. " You don't seem so well," I said anxiously. " I don't feel well," sbe acknowledged ; ami she seemed to go back. " A slight relipse," said Miss Dalby, when she came ; " aoihing to be alarmed at." I hinted at another opinion. " Certainly, if you wish it," said sLe ; "I know you are anxious."

I assuied her of uiy entire cemGdence, and suggested a Dr. Hallam I knew te be cl< ver " Ob, he won't meet a lady doctor,'' said Vliss Dalty, looking amused. " This is really a very simple matter, Mr. Rorkwood—lhere is no need for alarm. - ' The matter dropped. Aimce fluctuated - better one day. worse the next. 1 did not like it, and called in a physician who knew his work, but would consult with a lady confrere. His opinion coincided with hers : the patient had no stamina, and tbese variation* were to be expected.

I ought to have been relievid. I was m a way ; but somehow 1 fancied Aimee felt more

ill ttian she would confess to. She torned at las! even rrnm the food Miss Dalby so kindly pr< pared for her. The add thing was that at the end of that day she seemed bet'er And sbi had bad nothing but some milk I gave ber. " 1 beliere I could sleep to-night." the said. " 1 haven't that restless feeliag." 1 was rejoiced to bear this, but 1 3 rather puzzled nevertheless, and when Aisnee had dropped off 1 weut downstair', where some supper was laid tor me. Instead of eating it 1 stood by the fire and thought. I was aroused by the sound of the door opening—Miss Dalliv caiue in gently. " How is our patient ?" she asked

" Ob, better,'' I said brightly, going lorw*rd to shake hands. I shall never forget her aa she stood there, looking so handsome in a lung clonk ami Dictnnsquc hat. Ht r hand did not meet iiiim\ her eyes sought my face. '• Belter !" she echoed, and the tone sent a raid thrill through me. " Well, I had hardly expected that," she added at once. " 1 will go aud see her." " She is asleep now,'' 1 said, pulling mjsi-li together. 1 don't how 1 got through the fen minutes' chat; then Miss Dalby said she would ,o now and call latt r. She was very ghd to hear the pa l ient had improved. I wc nt up to Aimee directly. 1 know 1 enteied tl t room with a nervous dread of I knew nut what, and was intensely lhankful whrn I found r resting quit tly. 1 sat down. I felt in a horrible maze. The only thing I could fix on was that 1 would never leave my darling uight or day. Thst was a strange miserable night. Somrtimes 1 thought 1 was mad. What hurl there been in the tone of that one word " Bittir !" to turn mv blood to ice ? She must have been merely surprised, incredulous. But I thought of our little talk) that had itemed so harmless ; her attentive care of me ; the open stare of the servants—had 1 been dtaf, and blind, and a fool ? What was 1 to do ? 1 could consult Dr. Hallam, but the bare idea in -nv mind melted into an absurdity, a preposterous self-couceit. when 1 tried to pu it into plain words, such as I must us« to him. Women always like me, you say—yes, but they don't fall in love with me. I let Miss Dalby come the urit morning ; I complimented In i on her skill. I knew she had no idea of the horrible suspicion in my mind, | and I suggested that Aim- e might perhaps en- ! joy one af those delightful iittle messes Miss | Dalby concocted. Of course my wile nevi>r ; tonehed that, nor a dr»p of mc.diciue, and still

she throve. I took the food to a skilled analyst, and asked him to tell me its properties as speedily as possible. And meanwhile Aimee wondered why 1 bade her conceal from Miss Dalby for a day or two the fact that the medicines weren't touched. Yes, I was right. I know I Felt turned to stone when I read part of tLe acaljst's rrport—in the toad he had analyst d there were such and such propertiei, and a small proportion of a powerful poison unkuown to him. Of course my duty was clear—l wont to Scotland Yard. But I fancy—bow 1 cannot tell— Miss Dalby must bavo suspected something : perhaps through Aimee, At any rate, when the police went to arrest her she was gone, and I have never heard of her from that dav to this. Perhaps ohe went back to her bitthplice, somewhere iu the Eastj as 1 afterwards understood. So, you see, she wasn't a specimen of lady doctors, she was ouly a devil in a woman's shape. And Aimee is dearer than ever, because I so nearly lost her,