Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1872-12-19
DIR. sPENCER,s GREAT CRIME.

was sitting in my Office, half doing
over an interminable article on defective
nutrition, in the best medical review.
The fire in the crate was low, the night
was stormy and the clock was on the
stroke of eleven. 1 was just about to
turn off the gas and retire, for, being a
bachelor, / slept in the room connected
with my Office, when there was pull at
the bell.
1 started up suddenly, for this was
something new. Middlebury was a de-
corous sort of place, and the people
usually managed to be taken sick at
seasonable hours.
Old Mrs. Jerome had been threaten
ing to die for the past five years, and at
every visit 1 paid her she solemnly in
formed me that when the decisive mo-
ment did come she desired me pres
ept. But, as nothing allied the old lady
beyond now and then an indigestion
from too much high living, had never
yet been called upon to be present at
her death.
Now, thought, it must be old Mrs.
Jerome is going.
1 took up my night-lamp and went
to the door. A strong gust of damp,
sleety wind nearly extipguished the
light, but shading it with my hand, l
dimly discerned the form of a woman.
"Come i'm" said I, holding open the
door, but she declined, with gesture OF
impotence.
'tYou must come out,' she said, in a
sharp, decisive voice, land be quick
about it."
put on my overcoat without demur,
locked the surgery door, and stepped
laid laid firm hand on my arm, and,
putting her face close to mine, said:
" DR.. Lockwood, can you keep a
secret 2'
81 think so, madam"
"Sweal it."
" Is this secret of a professional char
acter ?-that is, is it anything you wish
to confide in me as a medical man ?'
!" It is.''
"Very well, then, swear it."
"That is right"
A man respects an oath, though why
he should Is a mystery, since mems
mouths are running over with them.
whittier are you taking me, ano
for what purpose ?'
"To the Clifton House, to see the
mistress"
l started.
C ifton House was the old mansion
recently taken by DR.. Spencer, stranger
to every one in Middlebury. Spencer
was a tall, dark, rather distinguished
looking man, who had hung out his
sign in the village, only few doors
above mine, but as yet he had got nc
practice.
He was unsocial in the extreme, avoid
ing his neighbors persistently, and wher
he did speak it was in such curt, half
savage way, that one was not likely tx
attempt prolonging the conversation.
had Uifo It cai1 b11
no one ever saw her. She was an in
valid, and Miss Melrose, friend of tn,
family, presided over the establishment
and sat at the head OF tae table.
Miss Melrose was yet beautiful, anC
won the admiration of all who visited
Clifton House, by her grace of mamie
and fascinating conversation.
As we walk along" said my com
panion, "let me explain to you jus
what it is necessary you should know
Ny mistress is very ill.,
81 beg your pardon-is it Mrs. Spence
or Miss Melrose? p
She laughed bitterly.
Miss Melrosel L would stab her
the heart sooner than own her as mi
tress. My mistress is a lady-nobl'
royal and of gentle birth. 1t is an homo
to serve my mistress"
"And is she lll2 How long since
"Ever since she married him-curs
him =" she muttered, in a fierce tone
"but 1 must not get excited. 1 mu.
tell my story, or rather hers. Two veal
ago, through the desire of her dyin
father, Alice Herndon became jaime
Spencer's wife. Before that she was
healthy, blooming girl; Immediate
after this marriage she began to fai
Do you soc anything strange in that
"Not necessarily"
"Let me enlighten you further. D
Spencer was at one time engaged to Mi
Lucille Melrose, but he broke the e
gagement and married my mistress i
stead. Miss Melrose was as poor as Jot
turkey Miss Herndon was an heires
and DIR. Spencer was deeply in debt al
and hard pressed by his creditors. l
you see anything strange in that?"
Perhaps. Go on"
When my mistress married Spenc
she was only seventeen, and had be-