The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-07-08
III think | understand" she simply said.

| Inc next morning Doctor Paul Nentnol
took from drawer II strong horseshoe mag
net. He rubbed steadily upon the blade OF
his pocketkniie with one of the poles OF the
magnet thoroughly electriiying it. lie pur
chased a paper Of very fine needles at an ad
joining store; then set out for the res .dence o.
his patient.
| He found the latter to be II man well nd
vanced in life, intelligent and genia-st
genial, in fact that the doctor wondered al
there beng so much OF the suspecttHl in his
| nature
The room was magn,ticently furnished, YET
without violation OF harmony or taste. The
owner was evidently man of wealth, disposed
To consult his ease.
The doctor at once opened about the houses
on Brandywine street, IN which Mr.. Branson
earnestly joined, and vlvldly explained points
In the speculation,
"Sir, could | trouble you for drink OF
water =" the doctor suddenly asked.
Certainly" replied the other "kate, please
bring Mr."
"Ventnor," supplied the doctor.
"A glass of water" completed Mr.. BransOn.
He was addressing his daughter, who had
called upon the doctor the evening before, and
she was seated IN one Of the bay windows,
She put aside her book, left the room, and
returned with glass OF water, which the
doctor accepted with bow.
He was more impressed with her lovliness
than ever, now that he had "A better view OF
her. Her HAIR was black and abundant, her
alrdlgniiicG, her manner royal; she was I'M
doubleday an intelligent, refined sensible,
pure minded young woman.
No glance Of recognition passed between
them-at least her father did not notice any
but the doctor saw Il waiting, wisttul, irustiul,
anticipating look in her eyes, which made his
pulses throb faster.
He raised the glass to his lips, and then a
wcll.iclgned look of astonlshmcnt crossed his
face He elected some of the water, pluckcd
at his mus,aChc, then strobe TO the window,
where he seemed absorbed in an examination
OF the contents of the glass.
"What Is the matter?" asked Mr.. Branson.
Matter" sharply repeated the doctor, AS
he turned from the window. "Sir, who Is this
gtri?" he sternly asked
"GirlI' exclaimed Mr.. BransOn, with IA
frown. she Is my daughter
Il beg thousand pardons.' humbly re-
joined the doctor, seeming quite Hurried
This Is remarkable! Very remarkable"
ana he stared INTO the glass
what is rcmarkablc?' asked Mr.. BransOn
with a gasp.
There are needles swimming in the wa
teri" announced the doctor the non plused
look still on his face. Hundreds of them,
sir! How did they get lng Why did she
bring me such stuff as thisy"
Needless" exclaimed Mr. Branson, be-
coming very much excited. "7here Kate"
he added, with an air of triumph. what
have always told you?"
Miss Branson stared into the tumbler, her
face comiCally demure.
III see no needles" she said
ooh, you don't chY sarcasticaly rejolned
the doctor. What do y0u say, Mr.. Branson Z"
and he handed the old gentleman the glass.
"You are right, sir" declared he 81 see
them with the naked eye; and my sight is
none of the best, for | am almost seventy,
But you cannot convince her."
MAY be can objected the doctor.
lis took out his knife, thrust INTO the glass
the magnetized blade, and when he withdrew
it number of needles were adherhg to 1t; for
he had adroltly dropped them into the water
What have you to say n0D" he asked, his
Il am convinced" she said "Why, it is
just horrlble!"
The doctor turned to Mr. Branson, and said :
you do not seem greatly surprlsed?"
"Well, no." replied the gentleman, with a
grin, ut is no new experience to me. For
months have found needles in the water,
milk, tea, coilee-in everything served up to
me to drink. cannot begin TO tell you
what have suffered. called IN several
physicians, but they laughed at me, and
treated 1t as the fancy OF the disordered mind.
You are the only person who ever detected
the needles, and know you had no hint of
the matter from me or anybody else. shall
ever hold you IN grateful membrance, if for
no other reason than because you have con.
WINGED my daughter She will believe, with
me, that dabollcal and systematical attempt
has been made upon my life"
"Ou mine, sir, in this instance" grimly re-.
joined the doctor IT is an outrageous affair,
and must he looked into. Who filed tins
glass"
"Rchard," replied Miss Branson.
"Who is Richard 2" asked the doctor
"a domestic"
"Send him here at once" peremptorily
ordered the doctor.
Mr. Branson stared with admiration at his
visitor; he was man of nerve, of purpose
and of promptncss; he would surely unravc
the mystery
This man Richard" the doctor asked, us
he II c0lored man ~
"a mulatto"
"COmpos mentisy'
"A trltle supplemented, | suspect"
How long has he been with YOU"
Three years"
"Ahw calculated the doctor "IIc must
be sent away at once"
The servant came into the room, preceded
by Miss Branson.
"Dld you fill the glass with water.' the
doctor sharply asked.
YES, sah," answered the mulatto, harm.
less looking fellow, with high cheek bones
and watery eyes,
Did you drop any needles into it?" asked
the doctor"
"Golly, MOI" exclaimed the man Oars
no needles init. It's an old cranky notion OF
Mr.. Branson's. He keeps us all on an edge
about IT,"
"Oh. h, does, eh 2" frowncd the doctor
"Well, it Is HO fancy"
Oars no needles IN the water" declared
the man.
well, see" said the doctor, as he thrust
th,. al I,,,E Il,,1,