The Osceola times., 1888-08-11
white and trembling lips Doctor Cor

white and trembling lips Doctor Cor
don read:
Should tho test prove fatal, beg of vor
both, brother and friend, BY the love You bea,
me TO keep the matter q secret. Think Of ms
only as willing sacrifice to science, and tina,
my death was painless one. We are isolated
IN this lonely place. Betty is q stupid old
creature and will believe any story Tell her
nave gone abroad. After you are perfectly sat
isned that my spirit has taken its flight carr,
me down to tho vault and place me in the cofr,u
Uncle Jack Intended for his remains Be brave
ana remember that sny disclosure OF the facts
might COST both your lives and be OF no benefit
70 me. not only entreat, but command that
be obeyed in this matter.
The voice OF Doctor Gordon became
inaudible as he concluded. The
brother arose and turned pale,
haggard face toward the still
more CHASTITY. and questioning one OF
his friend, while between them lay the
still form Of the lovely victim.
"Lookw whispered Gordon.
A drop Of blood had oozed from the
incision in her arm where they had at.
tempted TO start the life current. The
tiny crimson globule remained a stain
above the spot where the pulseless heart
lay, and where they had crossed the
soft and rounded arms.
Again they resorted to every possible
means TO restore life, until from exhaus.
ton and mental strain they were forced
TO desist.
With tottering steps, Gordon walked
to the window and looked out upon
cloudless night--a soundless one save
the low melancholy swash of the
waves.
The calm was followed by a stormy
day; it found the men still watching be.
side the fair sleeper, and attempting to
face the awful result OF the test. How
the hours passed, Gordon scarcely
knew. Afterward, he remembered hav.
ing been left alone with the dead while
the brother went to procure refresh
ments. and that kneeling he poured
forth incoherent words. Then, as il in
a somnambulistic state, he assisted in
transporting the light burden (heavy
enough to their trembling limbsD down
long flights OF stairs into damp,
gloomy vault filled with rubbish and the
accumulated dust of years.
In a niche rested the black coffin, and
in its moldering depths they placed the
fair form of the young girl untimely
taken from the glad earth.
After this Gordon had no distinct re-
membrance. Upon the stairs, there
was faint vision OF a crouching form
like the cat of Betty, with eyes Of fire
also OF two conscience-stricken men
sitting out the remainder of the second
night. And sometimes they talked.
recriminating or commenting upon the
terrible consequences of the act that
had blotted out lovely life, and
branded them with Caln-like signet.
Then came the pink dawn creeping
through the black curtains Of night,
and Doctor Gordon remembered creep
ing with paralyzed limbs out of the
fearful place, and fleeing with frantic
haste from the accursed habitation by
the sea. Days of oblivion and OF an
guish followed, then came reason and a
full consciousness of all that had hap
pened.
"Well, my good fellow, no more jun
keting of to the seaside for health and
rest, II you are to get head full OF
cranks and veins filled with the fire OF
fever, laughed the old medical partner
Of Gordon.
"What have / donep What have /
said?" feebly questioned the sick man.
"Why, man, one would think You
had committed the impardonable sin by
the way you look. But keep quiet, II
you have grain of common sense left
As to what you have done, l presume
rambles and damp boat rides
gave you the fever, and as to what you
said, it was a lot of rubbish about audi
tory nerves, capitalistic state, antehyp-
motto medicines, and all sorts of disjoint-
ed croakings that nobody could compre-
hend. But you must hurry and get
well. can't afford to dance attend
ance on you much longer and let our
practice go to the dogs. Beside, you
are wanted at home"
"At home? Where am I?"
"At the rubbishy place called Craig
Hill, and troublesome guest, l imag-
inc, to all save perhaps pretty Miss
Margaretta, who but a moment since
brought for you this huge nosegay OF