Evening star., 1895-07-27

still, as I did, arrested in their various
pursuits by the transcending interest OF
death. For there was that in the alarm
which meant death, and no one could mis-
take it,. -.... ..
Immediately 4 boy with a scared face
rushed out OF the brokers' office into the
hall. Catching sight of an elderly gen
tleman who CHANGED to be directly before
the door. the boy cried out: You're Dr.
Bell. amt you? They sent me to find a
DOCTOR"
Il am DR.. Bel,' was the reply whats
wrong?"
Mr.. Brands dropped dead.'' replied the
boy. Il saw him do it,"
Horror at the occurrence and pride in
bis share of it seemed to be contending in
the youths mind. 1 have observed the
same phenomenon in many persons of ma
ture years. including myself. We think
us into her confidence Indeed, have seen
a man saved from suicide by the new in
terest in himself that came from his chance
Witnessing of a distressing catastrophe.
DR.. Bell ran into the brokers' office, and
], being conveniently near him. followed
close upon his heels. Otherwise 1 should
not have got in. for a policeman who had
entered from the avenue Immediately
closed the door communicating with the
hotel. and denied admittance to all save
those who could give a better reason for
desiring it than idle curiosity-as 1 could
not.
street door, and was then engaged in pull
ing up the shades. Almost the whole of
the front of the Office was glass; and al
ready there were hundred people looking
in.
There were not more than half a dozen
persons in the office besides those who have
been mentioned. Two of them were evil
IDENTIFY employees. Another 1 recognized as
Harold Brand nephew of the broker, and
his assistant In the management of the
office. The others seemed to be players Of
the stock game.
The nephew stood beside a chair in which
sat Holman Brand in an attitude so natu-
raj that could not believe him to be dead
His handsome face, framed in abundant
gray hair, showed not trace of pain. On
the contrary, its expression was eloquent
of happiness. He was as one traasfigured.
If the bliss Of heaven had been revealed
TO him In the moment when his soul put
off its earthly vesture, thus and not other
wise should the mortal part have echoed
the rapture of the spirit.
DIR. Bell had hurried to the dead mans
side. but after a few seconds spent in the
I turned to him 1 found HIM gazing upon
the corpse with an interest equal to my
own. but of a different nature. 1t was a
scientific experiment to him.
The impressive silence was broken at
last by Harold Brand, who asked If there
was any hope.
None whatever replied the physician.
''He is quite beyond recall"
ut was terribly sudden" said the young
man. with a shudder. Have you any idea
what was the cause?"
II have a very distinct idea," said Dr.
Bell, but 1t will be hard to get legal proof
of it."
Great heavens! Do you suspect"
Poison" said the doctor. gravely. There
Is every indication of It,"
'Impossiblev' exclaimed Harold Brand
"You must be mistaken"
did you see your uncle eat or drink
anything just before he was stricken?
Il remember that he drank a glass of
water"
There was the ordinary water cooler in
corner of the office. DIR. Bell walked up
to 1t, and smelled the glass which stood
beside it.
II can detect nothing here" he said.
However, the glass should be saved for
examination"
Leave it there" said the policeman.
I'll see that 1t isn't disturbed. 1 think
Coroner Robertson will be here in a few
near"
There was pause, and then, at DR.. Bells
request, Harold Brand related the circum-
stances of his uncle's DEATH They were
very simple.
He had been in the office about an hour,
and had dictated some letters Then he
had written one. 1t lay sealed before him
on his desk. l glanced at it, and read the
address:
MARGARET BRAND,
Cornwall, N. Y.
DR.. Bell also glanced at 1t.
"A relative, of course?" he said.
II never heard of her." replied Harold
AT this moment the coroner arrived. The