WITCH HAZEL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9220, 24 November 1888, Page 3 (Supplement)

WITCH HAZEL.

BY MRS. GEORGIE SHELDON,

Author of "Brownie's Triumph," "The Forsaken Bride," etc.

CHAPTER X. PERCY BECOMES A PHYSICIAN.

For several weeks after Captain Morton's death Percy was not at all like himself.

The housekeeper and Hazel attributed it to grief on account of the loss of his grand father, and he did not undeceive them. Ho brooded continually over what- he had learned, or rather what lie had yet to learn, regarding the contents of the package which had been given to him on the last day of Sandy Morton's life.

When the captain's will was read it was found that he had left everything to Percy, as ho had intimated he should do. Ho had managed to save a great deal during his long and frugal life, and this, together with the life insurance which had come to him on the death of his son, amounted to upward of four thousand pounds, so that our young hero found himself quite independent.

" Dear old man! how fond ho was of me," ho murmured, after reading the simple and tender bequest; "buthe ought to nave told me years ago if there was any mystery connected with my life. But, doubtless, he knew no more about me than he did about Pet. I remember he told me once that only three were known to have been saved from ' Captain John's' vessel— the first mate, tho steward, and myself. Can it be possible that there were two children on board, that 1 was mistaken for the captain's son, brought homo to his father, and tho mistake discovered by the articles of clothing that] wore and those initials upon that clasp? it must be so, and those good old people, grieving for their own lost loved ones, took me into their hearts and home in place of the little grandson who was wrecked. And yet it is very strange that the steward could have made such a mistake. However," Percy always concluded with a sigh after these perplexing arguments and questionings with himself, "it is useless to dwell upon the subject; I must try to make the best of my lot and try not to worry over it. I will accept the fate which has been portioned out to me, and make the most of my life, and try to carve out an honourable name and place in the world for myself."

Three months after Captain Morton's death that small household was broken up, for Percy's course of study was completed, and he had determined, after careful consideration, to go to London and lit himself for the practice of medicine. He could not. think of being separated from Hazel, to whom lie was becoming more devotedly attached with every passing year ; therefore he arranged for her entrance into a -class boarding-school for young ladies in that city, where he could manage to visit her every few days, and see that, she lacked for nothing that she needed.

Percy took lodgings in a pleasant portion of the city, and settled himself for a three years' medical course in the Royal College of Physicians, and bent all his energies toward the winning of his diploma.

He was now in his twenty-first year, Hazel in her fourteenth.

Hazel very soon became the pet and pride of the institution where she was studying. No one could resist her bright, merry ways, her sunshiny, happy face, upon which a cloud whs seldom seen, while in school hours she was one of the most faithful and diligent, students imaginable. Percy was" her oracle ; he planned her course and suggested the arts that she was to pursue, and her one aim seemed to be to please him. " Percy wants mo to do this," was a sufficient reason for anything. "Percy wishes me to know Latin, and though I don't like it very well, I will try to be a good Latin scholar because he is. Percy has a very critical car for music, and I must be proficient in that," and so with everything else connected with her school life.

Only one thing caused her any unhappiness. ' She could not be reconciled to their separation. " If we could only live together, Percy, I should be perfectly happy," she used to say, wistfully, almost every time that he visited her, and the words always made his heart bound and his pulses thrill. " Wo will some time. I hope, my pot. When you graduate and I have my diploma, I will settle in some busy town, put out my sign as an M.D., and then we will make a cozy home for ourselves once more," lie would answer, smiling ; and Hazel would long for the time to come when this delightful castle in the air would become substantial and real.

But as time went on a " change came o'er the spirit of her dream"—a change that both puzzled and troubled Percy, because it was so gradual and intangible that he hardly was aware of it until it had become settled and beyond his power to control or remove.

We cannot linger over those three years ; they passed rapidly, as all busy years pass, and at their close Percy received his diploma, together wit!) a certificate of hearty recommendation from the faculty, which he considered even a greater prize.

There seemed to be an inviting opening for him in Kingston, one of the suburbs of London, and only seven miles from that city, consequently he decided to locate there, and a few weeks after completing his studies he had fastened an attractive sign beside the door of his lodgings, and was prepared to minister to any who might require his services. Hazel was now seventeen. In one year more she, too, would graduate, and be ready to take up the duties of life. She was developing into a marvellously beautiful young lady. She was tall and slender, but having a perfect form, whose every movement was full of ease and grace. Her small, finely-shaped head was proudly poised upon a white, beautiful neck, and crowned with a wealth of waving brown hair. Her face was not remarkable so much for its beauty of feature as for the witchery of its ever-changing expression, in which archness, piquancy, sweetness, anil merriment blended in a way to fascinate every beholder. A pair of brilliant, dancing eyes looked out from beneath long lashes a trifle darker than her hair, while her scarlet mouth knew how to wreath itself in the most witching smiles, though now and then, when the features were in repose, it settled into an expression which told of a strong, true character underlying her habitual vivacity. Her skin was as fair and smooth as satin, and the delicate flush on her rounded cheek was like the colour in the petals of a blush-rose. During the last year of her school life she worked with even greater diligence than she had ever done before. It seemed as if some new, strong purpose had taken possession of her, although she did not hint at anything of the kind during that time. A deeper, steadier light glowed in her lovely eyes, and her beautiful lips would often compress themselves into a straight, resolute line, as if she were deciding upon some future course of action.

This look was always on her face during those last months, after a visit from Percy. Our young physician met with wonderful success for one so recently established in his profession. He had opened his office during a season when there happened, to be considerable sickness ato Kingston, and. at a time, too,

when one doctor was absent on the Continent, and another laid up with a severe attack of inflammatory rheumatism ; and so, for want of a more experienced practitioner, our young newdoctorwas called to numerous households which, under other circumstances, he might never have entered. Rom the first he was eminently successful.

The sickness was confined chiefly to children, and being very fond of little ones, and possessing a frank, attractive face and gentle, pleasing manners, he invariably won their confidence, and wherever he went once he was looked for again with pleasure. He did not lose a single case during the prevailing epidemic, and the praises of the young and skilful M.D. were upon the lips of everyone. One morning, during his office hours, which were from eight to ten, he was sitting in his snug study perusing the pages of the last London Lancet.

He had no callers that morning, and was congratulating himself over the fact and promising himself a season of uninterrupted reading, when the sound of a horse furiously galloping down the street attracted his attention.

The next moment it had ceased, and an imperative rap sounded on his door. Come in !" he commanded, and a man, almost breathless from rapid riding, entered. "You are wanted at Osterly Park, sir, and as quick as ever you can get there, too," he said, hurriedly, but respectfully. "At Osterly Park! Who is ill there?" Percy asked, quietly, but with an inward thrill at the summons, for Osterly Park was the seat of the Duchess of Jersey, and it would be no small honour to be called to attend a member of her household.

He arose as he spoke, and began looking over his medicine-case to see if everything was in its place. " A young leddy, sir, as is a visitor there. She was taken very bad, in a kind o' faint like, more'n an hour ago, and they can't bring her to," explained the man. "Have they called anyone else ?" Percy

inquired. " Her grace have telegraphed to Sir Henry Harwood, her London doctor, but Mrs. Stewart—that's the young leddy's mother—begged her to send for someone else to do for her until lie comes ; and it's a hard ride that I've had after ye," the man concluded, wiping the perspiration from his heated face.

" I will go immediately," Percy remarked, taking up his hat. "Itis my regular office time, but I will not disregard so urgent a call."

" You are to go back on the horse that I rode down, sir," the servant pursued, following him to the door. "It will save time, and her leddyship's groom will come for me shortly." "All right," returned the young doctor, as he went quickly out, mounted the splendid specimen of horseflesh that stood waiting for him, and rode rapidly away in the direction of Osterly Park, A brisk canter of twenty minutes brought him to the imposing gateway leading into the spacious grounds, and on either side of which there were four massive posts, surmounted by immense owls, whoso great eyes glared at him with a look of insolent wisdom, and through which, at night, there flashed a vivid light; for the grave-looking birds were nothing mere or less than the gate lanterns.

The porter stood ready to admit him, and touched his hat respectfully as lie held the gate open for him to pass through. He rode along the wide, smoothly-graded avenue, which was guarded on cither side by beautiful beech and lime trees, until he came to the magnificent mansion which was the pride of the whole county, and where a groom was waiting to take his horse, and another servant to conduct him within.

Removing his hat and gloves in the hall. Percy followed his guide up the long stair way of beautifully-carved and polished oak to the second storey. From the upper corridor, which also seemed to be a sort of picture-gallery—for on the walls there hung many portraits anil almost priceless treasures of arthe was ushered into a richly furnished chamber, where two ladies and as many servants were gathered around the bed, upon which there lay one of the most beautiful young girls that Percy Morton had ever seen.

She was apparenty about twenty-one or two years of age—a perfect blonde, with hair like threads of finest gold, and a face whose pure, delicate profile, once seen, could never be forgotten. Her eyes he could not see, for hey were hidden beneath her waxen lids, whose long golden lashes swept the marble cheek; but he could well imagine their colour, blue as wood violets in June.

Her grace, a woman of perhaps sixty years, but upright in form and sprightly in her movements as a girl of sixteen, came forward, at his entrance, and greeted him graciously. "Doctor Morton," she said, "we are greatly relieved by your presence. Allow me to present my friend, Mrs. Stewart. And now will you not give your instant attention to our dear Helena?"

Percy made his bow to Mrs. Stewart, and then he was at the bedside, his lingers upon the delicate wrist of the insensible girl, almost before she had ceased speaking. There was scarcely any pulse ; it was but a feebly vibrating thread. He laid his hand upon her heart. None but the most skilful touch could have detected a movement; but he knew that life was not extinct.

It was evidently a case of protracted syncope. The resolute lines settled firmly about the young physician's mouth ; he meant to save this lovely maiden if it was in the power of human skill to do so. He issued his orders in a quiet, authoritative tone, which lie never would have presumed to use in that presence under any other circumstances. The man and the gentleman were merged in the physician, polish and etiquette in the professional. He forgot everything but that a human life lay in his hands and hung upon his promptness and skill.

An hour passed. To the other watchers, gathered there, there seemed to be 110 change; but to Percy Morton, keenly alive to every sign, there appeared a little hope; the thread like pulse was just a shade stronger, the delicate veins about those fair temples did not look quite so livid, nor the sweet lips quite so rigid and huelcss. He did not relax his vigilance an instant ; • not. even to glance up from that death-like face when someone entered the room and handed the duchess a yellow envelope, although ho was conscious of the act, and he instinctively knew that it was a telegram. Her grace tore it eagerly open, read it, anil then uttered a little cry of dismay, while she turned to the nearly frantic mother, and said : " Sir Henry cannot come for several hours yet ; he has a case which it will not do to leave, but he will be with us just as soon as possible." "She will die!" moaned Mrs. Stewart, despairingly, as she turned her agonised gaze upon the still figure 011 the bed. " She shall not die, God helping me," Percy said, within himself, all his will rising to battle for the precious life in his care.

He administered a powerful restorative, ordered fresh draughts, and more artificial heat to bo applied to the extremities and body, and never relaxed his vigilance. Yes, the deadly stupor was surely yielding to his tireless efforts, t hose blue lips were relaxing their, rigid outline, while a little minor, that he every now and then held to them, was at last slightly blurred by returning respiration. Another half-hour and a faintly-drawn breath, natural, though feeble, told that ho had conquered. At the sound the distracted mother seized his hand in the excess of her gratitude.

" She will livYe ! ou have saved her !" she articulated in a hoarse whisper. " Yes, God willing, she will do well now," he answered, quietly, reverently. Almost as he spoke those white lips quivered, then the golden lashes swept upward, and he found a pair of wondrously beautiful eyes looking inquiringly up into his.

He moved aside, motioning Mrs. Stewart to take his place. "What is it, mamma?" the girl asked, weakly. " You have had a fainting turn, Helena," her mother replied, as she bent and touched her lips to her white forehead. A shadow crossed her face, and she turned her head to look at the physician beside her mother.

He was regarding her earnestly. Their eyes met, and in hers he seemed to read an appeal, an earnest entreaty not to let

that deadly darkness settle down upon her again. The look touched him, even thrilled him. " It will not return," he said, almost involuntarily. " But you must obey me implicitly, and keep very quiet." She smiled slightly ; an expression of trust and content stole over her perfect features, and a delicate flush just tinged for a moment her cheek at his reassuring words.

" You think the fainting will not recur ?" questioned the duchess, drawing the young man aside and studying his face critically. " No, your grace, I feel quite confident that with proper care the young lady will do well," he replied. "But it was a very dangerous attack, was it not ?"

"Very ; a half hour's longer delay would doubtless have been fatal."

The duchess grew very pale at these words. She had been in favour of waiting for her own physician, but Mrs. Stewart had begged her to send for other aid until he should arrive, and now it was not pleasant to think that if her advice had been followed her lovely guest would have died. "What is your reason for thinking the attack will not return ?"

"My reason for the opinion is that the young lady appears to be in perfect health ; I can discover no symptoms of organic disease. With such a perfect circulation as she appears to have, a fine physique and strong lungs, such attacks are entirely at variance with nature," Dr. Morton explained. '' What could have caused this one then ?" the duchess inquired, with some surprise and a puzzled look. "After what I have just said it would seem as if I should more properly put that question to you, madam, or to the young lady's mother," Percy replied, smiling slightly, yet with a look of grave inquiry in his eyes. " I should say that it was produced by the occurrence of some frightful incident or sudden mental shock."

The duchess' rosy cheeks took on a deeper hue at these words, and she experienced a growing respect for this grave, dignified young doctor, who was so keenly observant, yet who had been able to keep his tongue from making curious inquiries arid simply attend to the business in hand. She saw that he suspected that the fainting had been caused by some unpleasant incident, but without meddling with what did not concern him he had accepted the situation as he had found it, and exerted all his skill to undo the mischief that had been done.

There had been a fright or shock of some kind, although it was as yet a mystery to everyone save the fair girl herself; for one of the servants had been startled by a piercing shriek from Helena Stewart, who was walking in tho park, and when he hastened to her, she was stretched lifeless upon the ground, and that was all that was known of the matter.

CHAPTER XL PERCY MEETS SIR HENRY HARWOOD.

"It will not be best to ask the young lady any questions at present," Percy continued. " She must not be agitated or annoyed in any way. She will be weak and languid for several days, she may even have some fever, but if she has no shock to produce another attack, I see no reason why she may not be quite herself before the week is out."

'' It is very strangel cannot understand it," said the duchess, thoughtfully. "I shall not feel satisfied until know what caused it."

Percy simply bowed. Her remark did not call for any reply, and although he, too, secretly felt very curious to know what had been tho cause of the fair girl's illness, yet he would not say so. He prepared something to be given her every two hours, gave a few directions to be followed in case she should grow feverish, and he noticed that his patient's glance followed somewhat anxiously his every movement. He went to her bedside, touched her pulse, laid his cool, firm hand lightly on her forehead, looking searchingly down into her eyes meanwhile. " Do you wish anything ?" he asked, in a low, quiet tone. Her lips formed the word " "No," but a flush tinged her cheek again, and that same anxious expression still shone in her eyes. Percy felt very sure that- something lay heavy on her heart, but he did not see fit to question her, and took his leave, after promising to look in again toward evening, in case the London physician did not come. Her grace followed him from the room, and begged that he would remain to lunch with the family. He declined courteously, pleading his duties to his other patients, and even refused to be carried back to town, saying that the morning was bright and fine and he preferred the walk.

Her ladyship graciously extended her hand to him at parting. She liked the straightforward, self-contained young doctor right well, and told herself that she would see more of him.

As Percy was walking down the avenue leading to the highway, thinking over the strange occurrence of the morning, and pondering upon the remarkable loveliness of the young girl who had become his patient under such peculiar circumstances, he encountered the man who had come to summon him.

" Ah ! you have returned, " he remarked, with his genial smile, for Percy Morton was courteous alike to rich and poor, high or low—a thorough Christian gentleman, who believed that while he was a healer of men's bodies, he also had a mission to perform in ministering to their moral needs as well. "Yes, sir, some time ago, sir," the man responded, dofliing his hat respectfully ; and I've just been down to the rhododendron walk to see if 1 could find out what frightened the young leddy." "Ah ! is it near by ?" Percy asked, with a sudden look of interest.

"Yes, sir; the first walk 011 the right, and the rhododendrons are a goodly sight, sir ; if ye have time, just take a look at them ; her grace is very proud of her collection."

"Thank you, my man, I will," Percy replied, and passed on. He had another object, besides seeing the flowers, in going to the rhododendron walk. He wanted to view the spot where Miss Stewart had fainted. There was something very mysterious about the circumstance, and he had a theory of his own regarding it.

He turned to the first walk on the right, and a moment later found himself in a perfect bower of beauty.

The duchess had indeed reason to be proud of her special favourites, for the collection was very large as well as rare, and comprised many exceedingly beautiful specimens.

For a time Percy forgot his chief object in coming here in his admiration of the gorgeous display. He had never seen anything so lovely of the kind before, and he simply revelled in the masses of brilliant colouring. But, on suddenly rounding a great bed of Roseum elegans, whose wonderful bloom was almost dazzling to the eye, he came upon the spot, he was quite sure, where Miss Stewart had fainted. The gravel in the path had been kicked up in several places and there were numerous footprints all about. A portion of the shrub, too, was broken, and some of the lovely flowers lay scattered on the ground, and even trampled into the earth. A step or two farther on, and lying just under the shadow of the glowing shrub, something else attracted his keen eye, and caused an exclamation, half of surprise, half of satisfaction, to escape him. It was a glove—a gentleman's glove ! He stooped to pick it up. It was of kid —dark brown in colour, and heavily stitched on the back.

Percy smoothed it out in his hand, and as he did so he felt a hard substance in one of the lingers. He shook it softly over his palm. A ring dropped outa plain heavy circlet of gold, set with one of the loveliest cameos that he had ever seen. The cutting was very line, and he knew that it was a valuable trinket. On the inside there was engraven the initials, "U.S. to C. 0., June sth, 18—."

"There is a lover in the case," he said, his eyes lighting, " and not an acceptable lover either, for some reason I should judge, these initials to the contrary notwithstanding. I surmise that 'H.' stands for Helena, and the 'C.' for the name of the unfortunate young man who caused such mischief this morning." " What shall I do with the trtasure that I have found he continued musingly. " If I give it to her grave suspicions and inquiries will immediately be set afloat, and perhaps result in getting my fair patient

into even deeper trouble. If I give it to Miss Stewart it will be equivalent to telling her that I suspect an amorous intrigue, and perhaps get myself into hot water, for my presumption. I think I will keep it for the present, and await future developments."

Arriving at this conclusion, Percy pocketed both glove and ring, and then turned his steps back toward the town, where he spent a busy day visiting his regular patients. About seven in the evening he again presented himself at Osterly Park, where he was received with great kindness by the duchess.

Sir Henry wood had only arrived a halfhour previous, she told him, and was now with his patient, who had been steadily improving since his visit of tbe morning, although she seemed a trifle feverish as evening came on. She furthermore stated that Sir Henry had highly approved and heartily commended the young doctor's prompt and energetic treatment of the case, and claimed that the young lady had had a very narrow escape. Moreover, he had expressed a desire to make Dr. Morton's acquaintance, and if he was agreeable her ladyship said that she would send a servant to tell him that he was there.

Percy expressed his pleasure at the opportunity offered him, with kindling eyes. He had often heard the eminent physician spoken of while he was studying in London, but he had never seen him, and now he esteemed it a piece of good fortune to be introduced to him under such favourable circumstances.

The duchess sent her message, and in the course of fifteen minutes the servant ushered a distinguished-looking man, of perhaps forty-five or eight years, into the room.

He possessed a grand physique ; was tall and kingly in his bearing, with a fine open face, a broad intellectual brow, from which his heavy iron-grey hair was tossed carelessly back. His eye was keen and piercing as a lance, but kindly in expression ; his features somewhat massive but clearly cutevery line showing thought and great strength of character. Percy's heart throbbed with a deep respect, almost amounting to reverence, as he arose to greet him. " Ah ! so this is Dr. Morton," Sir Henry remarked, as her grace introduced them, while he searched the young man's face with earnest scrutiny—"taking his measure," Percy thought. " Well, I am truly glad to meet you, sir," he continued, and the hearty clasp of his hand testified to the sincerity of his words.

Percy replied that the pleasure was mutual, and then inquired how he had found his fair patient. "Very comfortable, young man—very comfortable, thanks to your prompt and efficient treatment. But—l expected from what I had heard of you that you must be a much older man than I find you. How long have you been practising ?" " Less than a year, sir !" " Um! Where were you educated?" demanded the physician, giving him another keen look.

" At the Royal College of Physicians in London."

"Good," and Sir Henry also nodded an emphatic approval. "Fine institution — very thorough and practical, and you have proved yourself an apt pupil. What did you think of the young lady's case this morning ?" " She was in a very critical condition when I arrived— a state of suspended animation, which would have resulted fatally very shortiy if she had not had help," Percy replied. " Yes, yes; but what is your theory regarding the cause of the attack ?" and again those piercing eyes searched the young doctor's face.

"It would better become me to ask that question of you, sir, out of respect to your longer practice and larger experience," Percy replied, evasively, and glancing toward the duchess as he spoke. But she was buried in a new periodical, leaving the gentlemen free to talk the case over as they liked. Sir Henry was quick to note the look, and understood that if the young man had a theory he did not wish to reveal it in that presence. " Your are very modest," he said, a slight smile of amusement curling his lips, " bub I wanted your opinion of the case. Did you discover any local or organic trouble?"

" No, sir ; nothing of the kind. —think that the attack was produced by some sudden and terrible shock," Percy replied, in a low tone, with another glance at the duchess.

" That is my idea exactly. Miss Stewart is in altogether too sound a condition to be overcome by any ordinary occurrence—never fainted in her life before, her mother tells me. I tried to get at the bottom of the matter, but our patient evaded me very cleverly ; just gave a nervous little laugh, and said she supposed there must be a first time, only she hoped it would never happen again. She says she remembers falling, with a terrible sensation at her heart and in her throat, but nothing more until she heard a strange voice and found you at her bedside. Mind you, she does not say a word about anything that happened before she fell," Sir Henry concluded, impressively. Percy could see that he suspected that something had occurred more than was allowed to appear, but he did not feel at liberty to divulge what he had discovered. It could do Miss Stewart no possible good ; it might, instead, result in causing a great deal of trouble and unhappiness for her. lie resolved to keep his own counsel, for the present at least, and if he ever confided in anyone, it should be the young lady herself.

He made no reply to Sir Henry Harwood's remark, and, after giving him another keen glance, the great phy'cian abruptly changed the subject, and they sat chatting familiarly for half-an-hour longer. Finally Sir Henry arose, saying to his hostess :

"If your grace will kindly order your carriage, I will get back to the station. I must be in London before nine."

The duchess promptly rang a bell and gave the order. " Will you run down again in a day or two, Sir Henry she asked. "In spite of your assurance that my guest is doing well, I feel a trifle anxious."

" There will be no need, let me assure you," he replied. " I would come certainly if it was necessary, but you may safely trust this young man in almost any emergency," and he laid his hand almost affectionately upon Percy's shoulder as he spoke. " I could confidently leave a much more serious case in his hands ; and," he added, with a twinkle in his kindly eyes, "I predict that he is going to cut me out entirely, in this region, in less than two years' time. Eh, Doctor Morton

The colour mounted to Percy's forehead at this high praise, and the duchess smiled most benignly upon him. Sir Henry Harwood was her oracle upon affairs of health and medical regimen. "You will do well to see your patient once a day for the remainder of the week," he continued. " She is evidently still labouring- under some mental excitement, which may induce fever unless she is watched."

Percy bowed acquiescence, and Sir Henry, hearing the carriage without, shook hands with her grace and then turned to leave the room.

" Are you going back to town ?" he asked Percy, as they passed out. "If so, jump in and give me your company." Percy could not refuse this hearty, offhand invitation, while he felt more and more drawn toward the man every moment. So they rode back together, Percy accompanying his superior to the station, where he remained until the train arrived.

" Do you ever run up to London, Morton ?" Sir Henry asked, just as he was about to enter a coach. " Occasionally ; but I am sticking pretty close to business just now. You understand —I have my reputation to make," Percy answered, smiling. " That is right; but come to see me when you are in town, You will always find me at this address from four to six p.m., and after eight in the evening. I want to see more of you, young man.' He slipped a card into his hand as he spoke. Percy thanked him; then the two men shook hands warmly as Sir Henry stepped aboard, and the train steamed away toward London, while our young physician went back to his office, feeling that the day had been a remarkably eventful one for him, [To bo continue * *