The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1893-07-22
THE DEAD WITNESS.
CHAPTER Iv-{Continucd)

E< -H HHrE II
CHAPTER Iv-{Continued) |
"What could I do without you, doc
tori" - 49,
Doctor James took this to mean con-
sent; and he was perhaps warranted
in doing SO. He thanked the lady for
her love and confidence; told her he
would have all his preparations made
in a week. or two, and, after having
written out a new prescription, babe
her affectionately good-by till the NOR
row.
As the doctor walked down the ave-
nue., there was more than usual elation
in his step, and his lifted eyes seemed
to be looking far forward into a futu-
rity bright with realized hope and full
filled desire. He plucked a flower from
a shrub, stuck it jauntily in his coat,
and passed through the gate humming
q lively tune. He. seemed a happy
man, and yet at that moment, Meme
sis stood over him with uplifted sword;
the hand of fate was just outstretched
to draw the curtain and reveal his
doom; events were In progress which
| before nightfall would overwhelm him
in utter ruin. s
As DR.. James stepped out into the
| public road, he observed a small group
Of the villagers hurrying westward and
behind them MI. Joseph Barton, who
has been already introduced to the
reader. He was passing with a nod,
when Barton accosted him.
Doctor, you might come along with
us. A boy has, I am told, got into the
quarry hole. They are going to drag
for him, and it is just possible you may
be wanted. 1t is not far along"
Dr., James turned with him at once
suave as usual, compliant and chatty,
Toe Barton not only had seemed to
dismiss from his mind all suspicious OF
DR.. James, but had really done so.
Nevertheless, professional instinct had
prompted him to cast an eye now and
again upon the doctors movements.
DIR. James would have been astonish-
ed t learn how much Barton knew OF
his comings and goings; that the de-
tectiye had even guessed his Intention
of removing from the locality-ay, and
had formed an opinion that his visits
to the rich widow were not all for the
purpose of feeling pulses and writing
out prescriptions. Still, Joe had seen
nothing to warrant his keeping the case
on his books. So
Surprising all to be right, he did mo-
wonder that the doctor should think
of migrating; nor did he see anything
criminal or surprising In his supposed
matrimonial design. Ivy
Anything stirring just now, Bar.
ton?'' asked the doctor as the two
walked away together.
"No; nothing to speak Of"
"Cells empty?'
"Wen, pretty fair. We have a stea
and a couple Of wffe-kickings for then
tomorrow"
"And," said the officer, in the way o
continuing his enumeration, 1--WE nah
bed q fellow in the c%hurchyard work
ing away at Tom Wilkins grave"
The doctor could not repress q start
which made Barton cast a quick glanc
at him and notice a slight culver o
the LID. ii was nothing. OF course, but
8 nevertheless, was set down in the de
: tective's mental notebook, to be re
ferred on occasion.
BY this time they were at their desti
nation.
At the bottom of the incline which
led to the edge Of the water, witt
which the hole was filled, some dozeI
men were gathered, including Barton's
two subordinates, and a few of the vii
lage urchins, who somehow always con
trive to be where anything unusual
is going ON. The doctor walked for
ward to the group.
ANY success, men!" asked Barton.
No; the drag has been flung several
times without result. 1t had been
again flung and the rope was being
hauled in. -
"Deep?' asked the doctor. x
Not so very deep as thought said
one Of the men.
Hold hard; there ID something here.
The drag had caught on something
go firmly that il could be with difficult
~ retrieved.
Its mayhap a stene,".' suggested one
Lend O hand and we'll soon see."l
A hearty pull brought the something
caught near to the surface. It was moi
D stone; tt cleaned white beneath the
water. With q run the men drew II
up, till it lay, long and horrible, at DR.
james, feet-a something wrapped III
white cloth.
"A man stopped to disentangle the
drag from the end in which it hai
caught; the torn swaddling tapped
back and revealed a face, pale, liked
but still unWasted.
Or. James knew the face; Joe Bar
ton knew 1t; two or three more in thu
crowd had seen it often, and knew it.
DIR. James looked down at the face
and the face seemed to be looking III
ut him. The closed eyelids were dark
and that Illusion was produced which
painters sometimes initiate and exhih
II eyes which, scar, are shut, but a
d short distance appear to be open an,
gazing at the spectator; so that til,
eyes OF the dead witness seemed t,
look upbraidingly In the eyes Of hin
who had thought to hide away It's EVIL
dence forever
The little crowd stood hushed ant
aWe-stluck. For q minute there wa,
dead silence. The thrill OF a larl
which had risen above the meadow ii
u which Its young lay to sing ita even
ing hymn came, trembling doWnWards
strangely distinct and cleaS
Then those who first recognized th,
dead face turned their yes on DR.
James. and then the rest, following til.
lock, AaA from some unconscious Inn
pulse, did the same, DR.. James atil
gazing With cheek almost MS whit,
40 Ito " On the body before him.
CHArTERsy.
Among the crowd wns little Jerr,
Blunt, who BY dint of c~rouching an,
squeezing, Ind cot to the front. Al
the talk about DR.. James Of late hat
passed overaJerry,s head. He was DC
CuDied and concerned 0fOllf ofher smnf