Part 6 (1/2)
”Yes, Mr Courtlandt is nearly sixty now, and, as you say, doctor, he goes very little into general society He prefers his library and his books and an occasional canter in the park to any other entertainame of whist with some old cronies, that is about all the entertainment he seeks His wife, my Aunt Laura, is quite an invalid”
”And they have no children?”
”Yes, one; a son, who is now abroad Shall we go up and see Mrs
Forrest now, doctor? She is looking for a visit froreat shock to her”
It was growing dusky as they passed through the hall-way The sun ell down in the west, and heavy banks of rain-clouds obscured the heavens Miss Forrest turned the knob and threw open the door leading into the unpicturesque yard at the rear of the quarters ”A little light here will be an improvement,” she said ”Why! who can that be?”
As she spoke, a soldier, who had apparently been seated on the back steps, was striding hurriedly in the direction of the gate He had started up just as she opened the door
”Ah, my man, halt there!” called the doctor; and obediently the soldier turned and stood attention, raising his hand in salute He was a dark, swarthy felloith glittering eyes and rather flat features He wore the moustache of the trooper, and had perrow The crossed sabres of the cavalry and the letter and nuie-cap, and his undress unifor The nized him
”Oh, it is Celestine's soldier friend!” she said
”What are you doing here, , sir,” was the reply, both prompt and respectful ”The doctor probably doesn't remember me I came in with the wounded to-day at noon,--Mr Blunt's striker, sir”
”Well, Mr Blunt's rooht to stay there”
”I know, sir I've only been here a moment,” was the respectful answer
”I wanted to ask Celestine to let me have a little ice if she had any, but there's no one around the kitchen”
”Go over tolump of it My house is yonder at the corner Tell him Dr Bayard sent you”
The soldier saluted, faced about, and moved away, a trifle wearily this time
”He looks very tired,” said Miss Forrest
”I believe he is,” answered the doctor ”Hold on a moment there!” he called ”Were you out with Mr Blunt's coht I had to sit up with the lieutenant all night, sir, to bathe his wound”
”True, true And of course you hadn't a wink of sleep Go to your barracks and get a nap I' back to Mr Blunt in five ht afterward”
”I thank the doctor, but I'ht,” was the reply, and again the soldier saluted and turned away
”How faithful and devoted those rough-looking fellows can be to their officers!” said Miss Forrest
”Yes,” answered the doctor,form ”Yes, very Some of them are models,--and yet, somewhere or other I think I have seen that man before Do you know his name?”