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"If you please, sir, a telephone e has come for you from Cherry Orchard just now"

Anstice put down the paper he had been idly studying and looked at thehouse on the Littlefield Road, isn't it?"

"Yes, sir It has just been reopened, cook tells me"

"Oh And I ae was"

"Very good Tell Andrews to bring round the car immediately And put dinner back a bit, Alice, please"

"Yes, sir" The trim ratulating hiht was fine, and the Littlefield Road good going

Ten minutes later he was on his way; and in due course arrived at his destination, a pretty old gabled house standing in a large and old-fashioned garden, from whose famous cherry trees the place derived its quaint naht a practice in the Midlands, on the death of its former owner; but this was the first time he had visited Cherry Orchard; and as he waited for his ring to be answered he re of the house with a slight feeling of curiosity as to its tenant

He was not kept waiting long An elderly manservant speedily appeared; and his face, which wore a worried expression, lightened as he saw Anstice standing on the steps

"Thank God you've coratitude was so obviously sincere that Anstice felt glad he had not delayed his coo upstairs, sir--the housekeeper is waiting for you, I believe"

He relieved Anstice of his hat and coat with hands which shook; and at the sa woerness

"You are the doctor, sir? Then will you come up at once? My mistress is upstairs, and the sooner you see her the better"

Without wasting ti her, Anstice motioned to the speaker to lead the hich she did accordingly, hurrying up the black oak staircase at a surprising pace; and giving Anstice no tilance at the artistic treasures which were in evidence on every side

She led hie and finely-designed s; and paused outside a door, turning to hi else--in her sentle with the poor lady, sir? You won't--won't fluster her?" She broke off suddenly, appeared as though about to say soht better of the i the door invited Anstice to enter