The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-03-26
TfsE IOUSEEgEEPERs CRIME.

l was sitting alone in my Office, half
doing over an interminable article on
defective nutrition in the Medical Re
uieW.
The fire in the CRATE was low, the
night was stormy, and the clock on the
stroke of eleven. l was just about to
turn off the gas and retire, for being a
bachelor l slept in room connected
with my Office, when there was pull at
my bell.
| started up suddenly, for this was
something new. Middlcbury was de-
corous sort of place, and people usu-
ally managed to be sick at seasonable
hours
l took up my night lamp and went to
the door. A strong gust of damp, ,sleety
wind nearly extinguished the light, but
shading it with my hand, l dimly dis
cerned the form of woman.
Come in," said l, holding open the
door, but she declined with gesture of
impatience.
"You must come out" she replied, in
a sharp, decisive tone-"and be quick
about it."
put on my overcoat without demur,
locked the surgery door,and stepped out
into the storm. AS did so, the woman
laid firm hand on my arm, and putting
her face close to mine, said:
"Dr. Lockwood, can you keep Sc
cret:"
81 think so, madam"
"Swear it."
"Is the secret of yours of profess
ional character? That is, is it anything
you wish to confde to me as a medical
man p
"It is"
every well, then-I swear it,"
"That is right A man respects his
oath, though why he should is myste-
ry, since mems mouths are running over
with Them"
"Whither are you taking me, and for
what purpose
"To Clifton House, to see the mis-
tress."
| started.
Clifton House was the old mansion
recently taken by DR.. Spencer, stran.
ger to every one in Middebury. Spen-
Ger was tall, dark, rather distinguish
ed looking man, who had hung out his
sign in the village only few doors
above mine, but as yet he had got no
practice.
The doctor had wife: it was said,
but no one ever saw her. She was an
invalid, and a Miss Melrose, friend of
the family, presided over the establish
ment and sat at the head of the table:
GAS we walk along" said my COM
panion, "let me explain to you just what
it is necessary you should know. My
mistress is ill.,"
81 beg your pardon; is it Mrs. Spen-
Ger or Miss Melrose?'
She laughed bitterly.
"Miss Melrose! l would die sooner
than own her a mistress. My mistress
is lady-noble, royal, and Of gentle
birth. 1t is an honor to any one to
serve my mistress"
"And is she hi How long since p
"Evcr since she married him-Athe
wretch ~ she muttered in fierce under.
tone; "but | must not get excited.
must tell my story, or rather hers. DR..
Spencer at one time was engaged to
Miss Lucille Melrose. but he broke the
engagement and married my mistress
instead. Miss Melrose was as poor as
Jobs turkey; Miss Herndon was an
heiress, and DR.. Spencer was deeply in
debt and hard pressed by his creditors
Do you see anything singular in that p
perhaps; go on"
When my mistress married Spencer
she was only seventeen, and she had
been taught to obey her father in every.
thing. She was gentle and affection
ate child. and it would have been easy
for Spencer to have won her love; but
he did not try to. 1t was money he
wanted. 1t paid his debts; it brought
him fast horses it set his table with
costly dishes, and it put it in his power
to keep Miss Melrose like queen. And
all this time my mistress has been slow.
ly but surely failing. And look you,
DR.. Lockwood, l believe she is not dy,
ing Of disease. but Of" she lowered
her voice to whisper as che spoke the
word-"poison"
Impossible! This is grave charge
"Of poison! poison given by her hus-
band, who, at her death, will have sole
control of all her property, and be free
to marry Miss Melrose. There is no
time to explain to you in detail the thou
sand and one circumstances which have
led me into this belief, for we are almost
at the door.
at is never the case that Miss Mel
rose and Spencer are out at the same
time, or should have called another
physician before, but to night they are
called away to Miss Melrose's sister,
and will not be back until to morrow
With the consent Of my mistress / came
for youi and oh, DR.. Lockwood, pray
you save her"
Mrs. Spencer received me in her
chamber. 1t was on the second floor,
and was furnished with exquisite ele-
gance. Everything in the room bespoke
the taste and delicaey Of the occupant.
The warm air was fragrant with the faint
odor of heliotrope, and glancing around
| saw the purple blossoms and green
leaves in an alabaster vase on the ledge
of the south window.
She was a woman who, once seen,
could never be forgotten. have met
in my life many beautiful women, but
never one so lovely.