I APPEAL TO THE DISAGREEABLE WOMAN.
"Miss Blagden," I said when the opportunity came, "I want to interest
you in a patient of mine--a gentleman to whom I was called this
morning."
"Speak freely, doctor. Is there anything I can do for him?"
"Much, for he requires much. He is lying in a poor lodging-house
grievously ill with a fever. He has little or no money, yet he must once
have been in affluent circumstances. Without a trained nurse, and the
comforts that only money can buy, I fear he will not live."
"It is a sad case. I am willing to cooperate with you. What is your
patient's name?"
"Philip Douglas."
"Philip Douglas!" she exclaimed, in evident excitement. "Tell me
quickly, what is his appearance?"
"He is a large man, of striking appearance, with full, dark eyes, who
must in earlier days have been strikingly handsome."
"And he is poor, and ill?" she said, breathless.
"Very poor and very ill."
Her breath came quick. She seemed deeply agitated.
"And where is he living?"
"In No. -- West Eleventh Street."
"Take me there at once."
I looked at her in amazement.
"Dr. Fenwick," she said, "you wonder at my excitement. I will explain
it. This man, Philip Douglas, and I were once engaged to be married. The
engagement was broken through my fault and my folly. I have regretted it
many times. I have much to answer for. I fear that I wrecked his life,
and it may be too late to atone. But I will try. Lead me to him."
I bowed gravely, and we set out.
Arrived at the lodging-house I thought it prudent to go up alone. I
feared that excitement might be bad for my patient.
He was awake and resting more comfortably.
"How do you feel?" I asked.
"Better, doctor. Thanks to you."
"Have you no relatives whom you would wish to see--or friends?"
"I have no relatives in New York," he said.
"Or friends?"
He paused and looked thoughtful.
"I don't know," he answered, slowly. "There is one--I have not seen her
for many years--but it is impossible, yet I would give my life to see
Jane Blagden."
"Why not send for her?"
"She would not come. We were friends once--very dear friends--I hoped
to marry her. Now I am poor and broken in health, I must give up the
thought."
"Could you bear to see her? Would it not make you ill?"
"What do you mean, doctor?" he asked, quickly.
"I mean that Miss Blagden is below. She wishes to see you."
"Can it be? Are you a magician? How could you know of her?"
"Never mind that. Shall I bring her up?"
"Yes."