Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-10-27
CHAPTER XIV.


The night. its stiffness. it's peace, was
suddenly rent in twain by shrek so
savaop, so awful. that it drove the blood
curdling round the hearts Of those who
heard. and for one hnlDiAsS moment
rooted them to the ground on which
they stood, while their flesh crept,
awaiting it knew not what.
Frank recovered himself first. instinct
causing him 10 connect tndt CrV with
Madcap, though the voice WAS no. hers;
and scarce knowing where ne Went. h6
ran like one mad out of the nursery AMI
along the corridors, till he reached Tue
opposite wing, where, attracted hv the
light shining through haIf-open door,
he pushed it wide, and stood trying to
collect his senses, endeavoring to grasp
the scene upon which he gazed.
In an armchair, drawn close TO the
window, sat Madcap. to all appearance
dead, her white wrapper all disOrdered
and stained with blood, while Mr.. Eyre,
standing beside her, held his handker-
chief to her side, and on seeing Frank,
made a gesture to him to approach.
He was still in evening dress, and no
speck Of blood was about him save on
his hands, which were deeply dyed from
the office he filled; but his voice was
steady as usual when he asked Frank
to ride at once to MarmitOn, and fetch
a doctor.
Not one of these fools could saddle
horse" he added, with look Of ScOrn
toward the servants who had FASTENED
on Frank heels, and now crowded to-
gether. s0bhing, crying, stumbling,
Josephine alone preserving her self
control.
1t was she who was the first to oh,
serve that the window was open; she
who cried out, after hurried glance
round, that the diamonds were gone:
she who removed little table from her
mistreSs's side that held a handker-
chief, a book, and few trifles, bring
ing in its place a heavier one, upon
which she placed the medicine chest
that Mr.. Eyre babe her bring from his
dressing-roOm.
But. alas! alasi poor Madcap! The
hand that did medicine thee to that
sweet sleep" could easier lay thee thus,
still and silent, than rouse thee to life
again: and as though conscious Of the
helplessness Of his efforts, her husband
suddenly ceased them, and carried her
toward the bed, upon which she sank
like snow.
AS Mr.. Eyre laid her down, he looked
up. "Seize him." he cried; and all ewes
were turned to the window, through
which q mans face peered-heavy, ami
NAL. fixed in kind OF fascination that
held it mOtiOnless, when dozen hands
were stretched forth to grasp the mans
shoulders, and prevent his escape.
Poor Wretch!" said Mr.. Eyre con-
temptuously, as he recognized his gar
derner. Let him 60" But those who,
in their zeal. had already rushed round
to the outside of the house, thought
proper to sesure him, so that he ap-
peared to drop backward from the win
dow, and vanished in a yell Of execra-
ton that made night hideOus, and SEEM
ed an outrage on the quiet figure that
lay as if asleep, each feature stiIled to a
peace that might not be rudeIy broken.
'Go" said Mr.. Eyre to the remaining
men and women, and their habitual awe
of him returned; they hurried on each
others steps, and he was left alone with
Madcap. He laid his lips to that little
cruel rift in her side, he kissed her clay
cold mouth, and sWOre aloud that he
would never rest till he had found her
murderer, and delivered that murderer
up to justice; and then kneeling beside
her, that beloved head on his shoulder,
he listened for the sound Of horses feet
that would herald a message OF life or
death. When we are at deaths door,
or in sore extremity, the man who has
made the healing Of the body his life's
study comes to us as an angel OF light,
and as Gods representative we receive
and honor him; but when he has car
ried US through the valley, we scarcely
turn our heads TO thank him, and he is
forgotten till sharp necessity bids US
again summon him to our aid
To Mr.. Eyre, the short stout man,
who at the end of three quarters nf on