Our Novelettes.

Western Star, Issue 1339, 23 March 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

Our Novelettes.

MY FIRST PATIENT. Chaptbb lll.— Continued. ' Much calmer,' I replied, with a guilty choking at the throat. I fe't as though I, yes, I, who would have done anything in the world *o aid and comfort Gwendolen, had only added to her troubles, had made her sorrow harder to bear. I had been cruel in my words and without mercy for the poor stricken one. Her guardian volunteered to explain what had happened during, my absence. ' Gwendolen's frenzy came on quite suddenly, you know—all in an instant, I may state. I found her with my sister, in this room, soon after you went away ; and, when Norah went down-stairs to Bpeak to Mr Whynter about some domestic affair or other, I seated myself beside Gwendolen, and, of course, with the privilege of an affianced husband, I drew her towards me and kissed her more than once. She did not resist as much as usual at first; and, seeing this, I was encouraged to go farther, to allude to a subject that has beea altogether avoided of late. ' You will soon be my wife now,' I said. •We must have out the wedding-dress again, my love.' 'Tour wife ? Never! * she shrieked wildly, then flung up her arms, and glared at me with such a look in her eyes that I rushed in terror out of the room, fearing what might come next. ' Coward!' I muttered to myself.

' Did you speak ? No ? Is it not extraordinary, Doctor Metcalfe—such _ strange aversion from one who, in her sane intervals loves me dearly ?' ' Then there is really no reason for Miss Ponsonby's aversion to her marriage?' I inquired. ' None whatever. What should there be ? I love her passionately, and she returns my affection. I tell you she shall be my wife—mad or sane, she shall be mine! Doctor Metcalfe, you have more than once suggested doubts that are an insult to me. Gwendolen and I are plighted lovers. What more is needed ? Have you heard anything to my disadvautage—anything sgainsfc me ? ' he demanded angrily, suddenly changing his sentimental tone to one of stormy passion, as the hot blood surged up to the roots of his hair.

' What should I have beard, Mr Menzies ? Recollect, I am a stranger here, and know but little of you ot of your affairs. I have heard nothing about you except from your own lips.' ' Pardon me, Doctor; I am apt to grow suspicious. My very love tor Gwendolen makes me watchful and impatient—unreasonable sometimes, I fear.' That night I tossed about restlessly on my pillow. Gwendolen's troubled look haunted me and I could not get it out of my thoughts. A storm had arisen; the wind moaned drearily down the chimney, and shrieked amongst the tossing tree-branches. As I half-drifted into dreamland, it seemed to sound like Miss Ponsonby's voice, now wailing in my window, again sobbing round the gables, or sighing away along the wide corridors. I took myself to task for being foolish and fanciful; but, even when at last I fell asleep, my dreamß were as disturbed as my waking reveries. All at once I heard a knocking at my door, and I thought this,must be fancy also; but when I started up to listen, I heard Miss Norah calling my name. * Doctor Metcalfe, get up; you are wanted.' I threw on my clothes quickly, unlocked my door, and saw the lady-in her dressinggown, with curl-papers in her hair. •' What is it—what is the matter ?' I asked.

•Gwendolen is gene—we cannot find her anywhere, though we have searched all over the house.'

' Very strange!' I took the candle from her trembling fingers, and went with her along the corridor to the farther end of the Priory, where Miss Ponsonby's rooms* were situated. Mr Menzies, old Whynter and his wife, came towards us, all half dressed, and looking scared out of their wits. We rushed in a body to Miss Ponsonby's chamber, eager and excited. The room was silent and empty, the dress-ing-closet ocoupied by Miss Norah waß empty also—there were no traces of the poor child anywhere. ' Are any of her clothes gone ?' I asked. Miss Menzies had never thought of looking. Perhaps she supposed Gwendolen had vanished up the chimney in her night-dress, like a white-robed spirit. There was a quick opening of drawers, a searchiug in boxes, and then progress was reported by Miss Norah. 'I miss all the things she wore yesterday; but how she could have put them on without rousing me is a marvel. I saw her undressed, safe in bed, and, I thought, quietly asleep on her pillow, before I retired myself; and I never beard a sound until I woke up and saw her bed was empty.' 1 Pretty one you are to keep watch over a patient!' growled '.her brother. c It's your fault that this has happened. Well, what's the matter now ? '

For Miss Menzies had opened a wardrobe, and stood gazing down with distended eyes at a white glistening mass on the floor. We all rush forward to look, but could make nothing of it. « What is it ?' I aßked.

* Gwendolen's wedding-dress, all cut up to shreds and scraps; an utter heap of ruin—and here are the scissors, my sharp ones, that did the mischief. And look, look—the veil and wreath are snipped up also ! They are totally spoiled now; I can never repair them again,* Miss Norah stood with her huge scissors in one hand, some Jof the tatters in the other, looking like an ancient 'Atropos.' 'What waste—what destruction!' exclaimed Mr Menzies. ' Why did you leave your scissors about the room in that careless way, Norah ? I particularly requested all sharp instruments should be kept out of reach. Gwendolen must have been more frantic than ever to destroy her costly wedding-dreßS. You agree with me, Doctor ? ' I could not altogether echo Mr Menzies' opinion, so I was silent on the point, and merely said I thought it time to organise a search for the missing girl. ' Perhaps she is gone off to Newtown again; sho went that way once before, when she escaped. I'll get out' Black Bess,' and try to overtake her. Which way will you go, Doctor ? '

' Towards Uphill Church, I think ; it is the only road I know, and perhaps, as I am only a stranger in these parts, Whynter had better go with me.' Thus it was settled. Old Whynter was in a horrible temper at having to go out at such an hour, and being balked of his night's rest. He hobbled along after me, grumbling as he went.

' What a fuss abaut the lass! Why can't 'e leave her alone until day-broak 1 She'll come back safe enow in the morning, and, if she don't, no great loss! Women are always contriary and plaguing.' It waß a wild stormy night. Sometimes heavy splashes of rain were driven full in our faces, nearly blinding us, and again the full moon would shine forth with a glaring light as the dark clouds were driven away from her face.

'Come od, Whynter?' I shouted to my laggard compauion. «I can't keep up with you ; my breath's a'most gone already/ ho growled.

I did not stop to argue with him ; but I hurried rapidly on to search for—l know not what. Was Gwendolen living or dead? What had happened to the poor girl ? Had she found her anguish too hard to bear, and gone forth to an untimely doom ? I was not altogether without self-reproach as I mused thus. Perhaps she had thought me hard and unkind, or she would have looked on me more as a friend than she had hitherto done. Had I used every effort to win her confidence ? As ber physician, I might have made more inquiries, shown a deeper interest, such as she might have appreciated without prejudice. Oh, if I could only find her, never again should she have reason to doubt my friendship, never- again should she doubt my love, for I would conceal it no longer, either from myself or from her. Mr Menzies had advised me to go on to Uphill village, a retired hamlet that lay amidst the mountains, about half a mile beyond the church; and he told me to rouse up some of the people, make inquiries, and, indeed, call some of them out to help me in the search. *

As I passed the churchyard gate, I noticed that it was wide open, and the circumstance struck me at the moment as being an evidence of the primitive manners of tha people. I stood for an instant and glanced in at the silent realms of the dead, and then I remarked a dark heap of something on one of the graves—darker than the shadows that lurked everywhere else. What was it? The moon shone out suddenly as I gazed, and I discovered the heaped-up mass was draped in sable robes. In an instant I was on my knees beside it, holding Gwendolen's cold hand in mine, calling her name aloud, and looking down into her white rigid face. ' She is dead!' I exclaimed, in agony. But no, there was a faint flutter at her heart; and I began at once to use the restoratives with which I had provided myself, in case of necessity. Alas, my efforts were in vain! Her head dropped on my shoulder, her long light hair, loosened from its fastenings, streamed behind her, the crape dress, drenched with heavy rain, hung limp and clinging to her figure. ' This will never do ! She will die of exposure and exhaustion. I must get her home as soon as possible,' I said, bewildered. Then I called aloud for Whynter; but there was no reply to my cry, except the flutter of a couple of owls, who flew affrighted from the old church-tower. Plainly there was but one way of accomplishing the desired object; so I caught up the fragile figure in my arms, laid her head tenderly on my shoulder, clasped her closely to my heart, and bore her away from her dreary resting-place. ' Forgive me, Gwendolen,' I whispered, as I held my senseless burden in a close embrace. lb was no easy task to guide my footsteps down that rugged hilly road with Gwendolen resting on my shoulder. The ground was worn into ruts with the heavy rain, and large loose stones every now and then almost tripped me up. A sudden wild blast of wind bore away my wide-awake hat; so the rain beat mercilessly on my bare head like an intensified shower-bath. Of course I could not recover it, for I dared not pause or lay dowa my precious burden. I found old Whynter far down, near the bottom of the hill, toiling slowly along, and nearly ready give up the search in despair and return home. He opened his eyes wide when he saw me coming with Miss Ponsonby in my arms. ' Hast found the lassie, after all ?' ' Yes; but she is quite insensible.' ' Where did ye meet with her, Doctor ? ' ' She was in the churchyard, lying on a grave.' ' Her father's, I'll be bound ! Was it near a yew-tree?' • I believe there were trees near j but I did not particularly notice what they were.' • What a strange thing! Poor dazed lassie! I wonder what made her wander away there, all in the wind and rain ? Can I help you, Doctor ?'

The old man had ceased to grumble by this time; and he seemed much struck and impressed by what he called the • awfulness ' of the incident. Whenmy arms grew cramped and numbed, he held Miss Ponsonby until I recovered and was ready for my burden again. And thus, slowly and painfully, we at last reached Rocky Priory. Mr Menzies had not yet returned; but Miss Norah, very much shocked and bewildered, helped me to carry Gwendolen to her bedroom, and to prepare the needful remedies under my direction. She made me relate the particulars, and held up her hands in awe as she looked down at the senseless face.

*On her father's grave, you say? How dreadful! I declare I'm quite scared; it seems so uncanny of her to wander away to Buch a place. Nothing would tempt me to enter the churchyard at this hour. But those mad people have no feelings like we have. I verily believe it's a token Gwendolen is soon going to die herself; and then what will my brother do?'

I stopped her lament at last by impressing further directions on her.

• You had better call up Mrs Whynter at once. She will help you take off Miss Ponsonby's wet clothes and get her to bed. I will prepare a draught for her in the meantime.'

I found poor Gwendolen still insensible when I went up to see her soon after. I good fire was burning in the grate, and warm blankets were placed over her; but her eyss were closed, her face placid, with a senseless calmness that simulated sleep. Miss Norah and I both stood silently by her side for some time watching in vain for a change. ' Do you think she will recover, Doctor ?'

' I hope so ; but we must have patience.' • Then I think I'll sit down for a while, and you can tell me whew you see any alteration.'

Miss Norah subsided into an arm-chair near the fire, placed her feet on a stool, and stared at the flickering flames that danced up the wide chimney. I withdrew to the window, wbero I could by turns look out at the wild night, where the clouds were still drifting swiftly across the moon, and the bleak biting wind still holding revel, and glance at the marble-like face on tho pillow. The rays of a small lamp lit up the head of the bed, so I could sue the slightest change that passed over Gwendolen's countenance. An hour or so might have passed away when I noticed a movement, almost inperceptible at first; then the eyes slowly opened and glanced round the room. 1 was at the bed-side in an instant, looking down at my patient. A bright Bmile came to her lips, a soft light shone in her violet eyes as they met mine for an instant, then Gwendolen suddenly seemed to recollect herself; and she turned away from me impationtly, wit/i a low moan. 4 Ave you bettor ?' I nsked. No reply. Will you not speak to tno ? ' Another moan, rather more pettish in sound. I glanced over at Miss Norah, She had drawn a white woollen Bhawl closely over her head and ears; her mouth was slightly open, and she was sending forth sundry sounds that her brother would doubtless have called ' Grampuslike snores.' I drew nearer to my patient, bent over her, and said in a low distinct whisper—- ' I know your secret, Miss Ponsonby. You aro ;no more mad than I am. You are feigning madness. Why you should do this 1 cannot say; but there must be a cause. Will

you confide in me and trust me as a friend ? ' She started round, with a look of agony on her face. ' Ob, do not, do not tell him! Keep my secret!' 'lt shall be quite safe with me. Can I be of service to you in any way, help you out of difficulty or trouble ? Look upon me as your true friend,' I repeated earnestly. 'How can you possibly be my friend and his too ? Are you not in his—l mean does he not pay you for being here ?' ' Let me explain. I came to the Priory as an utter stranger, in answer to your guardian's advertisement; but, since I have been living here, I have been much puzzled in many ways. If what I suspect is really the fact, I would rather die than touch a penny of his money. True I came here in Mr Menzies' service, but now I will do my utmost to help you, if you will allow me.' She looked up at me, and her eyes had a sad reproachful expression. ' Once I thought you felt kindly towards me, and I had almost determined to tell you everything, and ask your assistance; but afterwards you used threats to me, and I knew I had judged wrongly when you talked of cutting off my hair and using red-hot irons.' I interrupted her quickly. I «I only spoke thus to test your sanity, Miss Ponsonby ; and the indignation you expressed in your looks only confirmed a theory I had formed of your case from the very first.' * You did not believe I was really mad ? ' ' Assuredly not.' «Miss Norah and her brother think me so.' • You may be able to deceive them, but, as a professional man, you could not deceive me.' She burst into a passion of tears, and it was some minutes ere she could control her anguish; then she exclaimed—- • You must have thought me the vilest, worst creature in the whole world when I could«make a pretence o£ disordered intelbct, the sorest affliction Heaven permits to fall upon poor humanity !' •I believed you were acting thus for a purpose, and I have been trying to discover what that purpose is.' 'Oh, Doctor Metoalfe, what else could I do? My poor little bodily strength was not sufficient to protect me from him ; and he told me constantiy I was altogether in his power—soul and body in his power—these weak hands sould not keep him away '—she held out her little white fingers as she spoke.} ' Certainly not, my poor child! But, what made you think of simulating madness ?' 'I heard once, while I was in France, an old prießt talking about madness; and his remarks made a great impression on me.' ' What did he say ?' 'That he had often seen the coarsest, most brutal persons shrink from mental disease in others, as from something mysterious and fearful—something with which they dared not meddle—something supernatural, in fact. And, you know, Mr Menzies is both coarse and brutal.'

'Yes, it cannot be denied.' ♦That was the reason I pretended td be mad—l wished to put a barrier between us he dared not pass. At times, I verily believe, my frenzy almost became real, for I was terrified out of my wits by him—l hated him!' She shuddered as she spoke. • Then yon do not wish to be married to Mr MeDzies ?'■'.■

,' A thousand times, no!' «How does it happen that you are thus situated with him ?' 'He calls himself my guardian, and I suppose he is so legally, for poor papa left all his affairs in Mr Menzies' hands. He is executor of tho will, and my trustee, so there is some reason for his boast when he tells me his power over me is boundless.' •Why did your father select him for such a responsible position ?' «I cannot tell; it puzzles me to imagine what his infatuation could have been when he consented to it.' Gwendolen's words came in gasps—she rested at long intervals, and then I administered restoratives, and entreated her to be composed. * Composed! Oh, it makes me furious to think of it all! Before I was sent away to school iu France, Mr Menzies was only a kind of steward or agent to papa—a sort of upperservant who herded with servants, and who would not have presumed to sit at table in our presence. When I was summoned home, after papa's death, I found him sole master of Rocky Priory; all our old servants were dismissed; Whynter and N his wife, who are creatures of his, were the sole domestics, and I am, as you may have discovered, a prisoner in my own house.' Her voice trembled with indignation as she spoke. I tried to soothe her, and glanced over at Miss Horah, fearing the slightly raised accents of poor Gwendolen might have pierced through her slumbers ; but her head was still thrown back, her lips still sending forth slight measured grunts. .. * There is worse still to tell,' continued my patient. *He has the presumption to try to force me to marry him 5 he tells me it was papa's expressed wish—his command evenbut I cannot believe that.' I was silent for a few moments, thinking what to suggest j then I asked—- * Are you not almoßt of age, Miss Ponßonby ? I recollect Mr Menzies once told me you are nearly twenty-one.' * I shall be twenty-one next month. Does that make any difference ?' l Of course it does, a very material one. Mr Menzieß guardship ceases directly you are of age—you become your own mistress then.' •Is that really the case? I know very little about law, for I have been at school most of my life; they don't teach law there; indeed, I am afraid I am ignorant of many things I ought to know.' ' What I tell you is a fact.' ' Oh, if I can only hold out until then! Will you help mo, Doctor Metcalfe ? I implore you, to save me from that hateful man. I shudder whenever he comes near me!' 'I will save you, dear Miss Ponsonby. Look upon me as your brother, one who will use his utmost power to aid you., She held out her hand as I finished speaking, and I clasped it fervently—that silent pressure was a bond, a compact between us, that I mentally pledged myself to keep at all hazards. I drew back from her suddenly. ' Hush, hush ! Miss Norah is waking,' I whispered. With two or three loud yawns, the lady threw back her shawl—became gradually awake to things in general—looked over at me—still standing at the bed-side, and then came slowly towards me, looking extremely drowsy. ' How is your patient now, Doctor ? For answer, I pointed to Miss Poasonby, who lay with firmly closed eyes. •Her face is not nearly so pale; do you think she is bettor ?' ' Yes, I am sure she is much belter—and she may sloop, if she is kept perfectly quiet ; but if she is disturbed, remember, I will not answer for the consequences.' ' Has Tom come back ?' * I heard the clatter of a horae*s feet in the yard some time ago; so I conclude he haß returned.' With one more look at my patient, who was still apparently asleep, I went down-stairs to meet Mr Menzies. I discovered him in the breakfast-room, with a glass of brandy in his baud. (To e continued.)