Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1885-07-25
DR.. SpenCsr'S Great Crime.


The fire in the crate was low, the
night was stormy and the clock was on
the stroke of eleven. | was just about
to turn of the gas and retire, for, being
bachelor, slept in the room connected
with nv Office, when there was pull at
the bell.
started up suddenly, for this was
something new. Middlebrry was de-
coruus sort Cfa place and the people
usually managed to he taken sick at sea-
sonable hours.
Old Mrs. Jeio,ae hai been threatening
to die for the past fve.yeats, and every
time visited hershe solemnly informed
me that when the decis,Te moment did
come she desired me present. But as
nothing allied the old lady beyond now
and then an Indigestion from toe much
high living, had never vet been called
upon to be present a. her death.
Now, | thought, il must be old Mrs.
Jerome is going.
took up my night lamp and went to
the door. A strong gust of damn. sleei
wind nearly extinguished the hight, but,
shading it with my hand, discerned the
face of woman.
"Come in" said !, holding open the
door. but she declined with gesture cf
impatience.
"You must come out" she said, in a
sharp, incisive voice, "and lie quick
about it,"
nut On my overcoat without demur,
locked the sdrgery door and stepped
into the storm. As did so the woman
laid a firm hand on my arm and putting
her face close to mine, said:
"Dr. Lockwood, can you keep a Sc
cret2"
IL think so, madame"
Swear it,"
SIS this secret of yours OF a profession
al characteIs That is, is it ANYTHING you
wish 10 confide in me as a medical man."
"It il"
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.
"Whither are you taking me and for
what purpose?'
"To the Clifton house to see the mis-
tress." / started.
Clifton house was the old mansion re-
Gently taken by DIR. Spencer, a stranger
to every one in Middlebury. Spencer
was tall, dark, rather distinguished
looking person, who had hung out his
sign in the village only few doors
above mine, but as yet he had no prac
tice.
He was unsocial i'm the extreme,
avoiding bis neighbors persistent!y, and
when he did speak it was in curt, half.
savage way that no one was likely to
prolcng the conversation.
The doctor had wife, it was said, but
no one had ever seen her. She was an
invalid and Miss Melrose, friend ofthe
family. presided over the family aud sal
at the head of the table.
Miss Melrose was yet beautiful, and
i won the admiration of all who visites
Clifton house by her ease of manner and
fascinating conversation.
"As we walk along" said my compan
ion, "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. Spencer
| or Miss Melrose?"
She laughed bitterly.
"Miss Melross! would sab her tC
the heart sooner than Cwn her for a mis-
tress. NV mistress is lady-noble
oval and of gentle birth. 1t is an homo
to serve my mistress"
"And is she i'll? How long SINGER
Ever since she married him-curs'
him ~ she muttered in fierce tone
but must not get excited, l must tel
my story, or rather hers Two years age
through the desire of dying father
Alice Herdon became James Spencer
wife. Before that she was health,
blooming girl Immediately fter tbei
marriage she began to fail. Do you Sc
ANYTHING strange in tbat?"
"Not necessarily"
"Iet me enlighten you further. d.
, Spencer was at one time engaged to Mis-
Lucille Melrose, but he broke the en-
! gagomeat and married my mistress in
stead. Miss Melrose was as poor as Job
turkey. Miss Herdon was an heires
. and DIR. Spencer was deep in debt an
t hard pressed by his creditors. Do yo
see anything strange in that?"
"Perhaps so. Go on"
"When my mistress married Spence
t she was only seventeen and bad bee
. taught to obey her father in everything
: She was gentle, affectionate child. an
' it would have been easy for Spencer
have won her love- But he did not cal
for that. 1t was her money he wante,
1t paid his debts and bought him ia
horses it set his table with nice an
4 costly dishes, and put it in his power
keep Miss Melrose robed like a queel
An .L:. 49,, nv p,;Stracc ba1 hoe