Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-09-18
DIR. SPENCER S CRIME.

lady beyond now and then an indiges-
ton from too much high living, | had
never yet been called upon to be pres
ont at her death.
Now, | thought, it must be old Mrs.
jerome going.
took up my night lamp and went
TO the door. A strong gust of damp,
sleet wind nearly extinguished the
light, but, shading it with my hand, |
discerned the face of woman.
Come in, said /, holding open the
door, but she declined with gesture
OF Impatience.
"You must come out, " she said in a
sharp, incisive voice, 'and be quick
about it,.
/ put on my ovGrcoat without de-
mur, locked the surgery door, ana
stepped into the storm. AS | did SO
tho woman laid firm hand on my
arm and putting her face close to mine
said:
"Dr. Lockwood, can you keep a Sc
cret2"
81 think SO, madam"
''Swear it. u
''Is this secret of yours of profess
ional character2 That is, is it anything
you wish to conlide in me- a medl~
cal manT"
at is"
every well, then, l 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 and
for what purposes"
ITO the Clifton House to see the
mistress | started.
Clifton House was the old mansion
recently taken by DIR. Spencer, a
stranger to every one in Middlebury
Spencer was a tall, dark, rather dis
tinguished looking person, who had
hung out his sigh in the village, only
few doors above mine, but as yet he
got no practice.
He was unSocial in the extreme,
avoiding his neighbors persistently,
and when he did speak it was IN so
curt, half-savage a way that no one
was likely to prolong the converse
ton.
The doctor had a wife, it was said,
no ono Hdd over SGcH 1leT. ONO was
an invalid, and Miss Melrose, friend
of the family, presided over the fami
ly and sat AT the head of the table
Miss Melroso was yet beautiful, and
won the admiration of all who visited
Clifton House by her ease of manner
and fascinating conversation.
''As we walk along" said my COM
paniou, ''let me explain to you just
what is necessary for you to know.
My Mistress is very sick. "
II beg your pardon is it Mrs. Spen.
Ger or Miss Melross?'
She laughed bitterly.
Miss MelroSe! | would stab her TO
the heart sooner than own her for
mistress. Ny mistress is lady
noble, royal. and Of genuine birth. 1t
is an honor TO serve my mistress"
And is she ill2 How long SINGER"
Ever since she married him-curse
himN she muttered IN a fierce tone;
but | must not get excited. | must
tell my story, or rather hers. Two
years ago, through the desire of her
dying father, Alice Herdan became
James Spcncer's wife. Before that
she was q healthy, blooming girl; i'm
medlately after their marriage she
began to fail. Do you see any thing
strange in that2'
Not necessarily
Let me enlighten you further. DR..
Spencer was al one time engaged to
Miss Lucille Melrose, but he broke the
engagement and married my mistress
instead. Miss Melrose was as poor as
Jobs turkey. Miss Herdon was an
heiress. and DR. Spencer was deeply
in debt, and hard pressed by his credl
tors. Ds you see anything strange ia
that's"
perhaps SO. Go on"
wv hen my mistress married Spea-
Ger she was only II, aud had been
taught to obey her father In every
thing. IShe was gentle, atfectionate
child, and it would have been easy for
Spencer to have won her love, But
he did not care for that. 1t was her
money he wanted. 1t paid his debts
and bought him fast horses; it set his
table with nice and costly dishes, and
put it in his power to keep Miss Mel
rose robed like queen. And all this
time my mistress has been slowly, but
surely, sinking, and look you, DR..
Lockwood, believe she is not diving
of disease, but Of" she lowered her
voice to q whisper as she spoke the
word-'poison."
Impossible; this is grave charge
''Of poison given her by her has
band, who at her death will have sole
control OF her property and be free TO
marry Miss MelroSe. There is no time
TO explain the details of the thousand
aud one circumstances which have led
me to believe it, for we are almost at
the door. 1t is never the case that
Miss MelroSe and Spencer are out at
the same time, or should have called
n physician before, but to night they
are both called away by The death OF
Miss Melrose's sister, and will not be
back until tomorrow. With the con-
sent of my mistress l came for you,
and oh! Mr.. Lockwood, pray you to
save my dear mistress. / nursed her
when her mother died, and left her
helpless infant; all through her limo.
cent youth she was like an own child
to me; and now to see her fading hour
by hour before my eyes! Coed
Heavens! Ii | knew beyond doubt
that he was guilty, his life would pay
the forfeit"
was already beginning TO feel
deep interest in Mrs. Spencer, al
though had never seen her, and
like her own nurse, was beginning
to feel great luminosity for Mr.. Spen-
Ger.
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 delicaey and taste OF the accu>
pant The warm air was fragrant |