Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1872-01-31
Dr.. Spencer's Great Crime.
\ STORY TOLD BY \ PHYSICIAN.

I was sitting i'm my office, half doz-
ing aver sn interminable article on de-
fective nutrition in the last medical re-
view.
The fire in the CRATE was low, the night
was stormy, and the clock was on the
stroke of II. I was just about to turn
off the gas, and retire, for, being bach
elor, sleptin the room connected with
my Office, when there was a pull at the
bell.
I started up suddenly, for this was
something new. Middlebury was a de-
corous sort Of place, and people usually
managed to be taken sick at seasonable
hours.
Old Mrs. Jerome had been threaten
ing to die for the past ten years, and at
every visit 1 paid her, she solemnly in
formed me that when the decisive mo-
ment did come she desired me to be
present. But as nothing allied the old
lady beyond now and then an indiges-
tlon from too much high living, he'd
never yet been called upon to be pres
ent at her death.
Now, I thought, it must be, old Mrs.
jerome is going.
I took up my night lamp, sleety wind
nearly extinguished the light, butshad-
ing it with my hand, I dimly discern
ed the form of woman.
Come in said, holaing open the
door, but she declined with a gesture of
impatience.
You must come out, she said, in a
sharp, decisive voice, land be quick
about itr
put on my overcoat with demur,
locked the surgery door, and stepped out
into the storm. As did so the woman
laid firm hand on my arm, and put
ting her face close to mine. said:
'Dr. Redwood, can you keep a Sc
cretT
/ think 50, madam
Swear it,
Is this secret of yours Of a profession
al character? That is, is it anything
you wish to confds to me as a medical
man p
1T is
Very well, then, I swear it,
That is right
A man respects an oath, though why
he should is mystery, since mems
months are running over with them.
Whittier are you taking me and for
what purposeT
TO Clifton House, to see the mis-
tress.'
I started.
Clifton House was the old mansion re-
Gently taken by DR.. Spencer, a stran-
ger to every one in NLiddlebury. spen-
Ger was a tall, dark, rather distinguish
ed looking man, who had hung out his
sign In the village only a few doors
above mine, but as yet he had got no
practice.
He was unsocisl in the extreme, avoid
ing his neighbOrs persistently, and when
he did speak, it was in such a curt, half
savage way that one was not likely to
to attempt prolonging the conversation.
The doctor had wife, it was said,
but no one ever saw her. She was an in
valid, and Miss Melrose, a friend of the
family, presided over the establishment
and sat at the head of the table.
Miss Melrose was yet beautiful, and
won the admiration of all who visited
Clifton House, by her grace Of manner
and fascinating conversation.
AS we walk along said my cOmpan-
ion, let me explain to you just what Is
necessary you should know. My mis-.
tress is very ILL
4 beg your pardon-is it Mrs. Spenc-
er or Miss AIelrose?'
she laughed bitterly.
Miss Melrose! I would stab her to the
the heart sooner than own her as mis-
tress. My mistress is a lady-noble,
royal, and Of gentle birth. II is an
honor to serve my mistress.
And she is i'll? How long since9
Ever since she married him-ourse
him. she muttered in a fierce tone; 'but
I must not get excited. Rust tell my
story, or rather hers. Two years ago,