Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-07-02

outside with Starkweather. 1t was not
in sight.
"Betsey must have put it awaY some
where" he thought, and aloud he c!ied
"Betsey. Betsey!
There was no response Professor
Drummond ran again to the hall, his
every movement betraying the nervous
shock from which he was s,A'2ring, and
presently he found his hat on a table
under a curved stairway
tanning it on his head, he dashed
out to the piazza. The young ladies
ere just hurrying up the steps, pre-,
cedc! by the local physician, Dr. Mason
Williams.
What is it, papa" cried Louise with
= lyS' erical laugh.
Professor Drummond stopped as il
shrt
We met Betsey," explained DR.
Williams. She was Sc frantic that we
could make out no mo"c than that
something frightful had happened"
81 thought it was you, papan' said
Louise, putting her trembling arms
around him ard choking back the tears
Amelia, too, went close to him. her
lips silent but her lustrous eyes telling
of affection profoundly alarmed.
mo, | am not hurt" said the profes-
sor hoarsely. Il am all right, as you
see. Where did Betsey go?"
"She was running like mad" re-
sponded DR.. Williams, land there was
no restraining her So we hurried ON.
"IIow did you happen to be nere?''
asked Professor Drummond, seeming
suddenly to be surprised.
The doctor had been walking rapidly,
but that could not have accounted
wholly for the color III his cheeks
Il had been to see patient between
here and the village" he replied, and
meeting the young ladies | walked
along with them"
81 was just starting to find you said
the professor.
"rhen something has happened,
papa" exclaimed Louise. ooh, what is
IT."
Il shall be glad if l can be of any SER
vice." suggested the doctor.
Hardly" responded Professor Drum
mond, "and yet it is as well that YOU
are here. Starkweather-"
His voice failed him for a moment,
and then he added the one fatal word
Dead"
Both girls uttered low cries of CON
sternation.
Better let me see him, said the doc
tor quietly, land at once. How did il
happen?'
yes" returned the professor, cat
once"
He spoke abscntly; there was va
cant stare in his eyes. The doctor no
ticed it.
Never mind my question now, Pro
lessor Drummond" he said, where is
Starkweather?"
81 dent know how 1t happened,
moaned the prCfes sor, as if his mind
could hold but one thought at II time,
and the doctors question had just
dawnad up,n him. Il stood out there
over The river and lie was in the house.
heard him fall out there and ran in
stantly to him. 1t was all over"
Where is he?" repeated Or. Viii
Iiams, sharply. He had twice started
into the house expecting the professor
to follow and conduct him to the
stricken man.
up stains" replied Professor Drum
mond, who seemed to De more over
come as the moments passed, lin the
room just at the top"
DR.. Williams dashed up the stairs
and the professor slowly ent eied the
hall, leaning heavily upon his daughter
and niece, who We're on either side OF
him. The doctors voice came down to
them in impatient tones.
This room, professor? The door is
locked"
Locked? Did ! lock it," repeated
Professor Drummond. I'll come up
The key must be in my pocket. Yes,
here it is
Let me take it up pleaded Louise
mo! Mo-" responded the professor
Stay below" and with a great effort 1t
pulled himself together and went VI
the stairs,
The young ladies obeyed him ard re-
manned below.
Let me take the key they heard
the doctor say, and the professor re
sponded: 1T turns hard in the lock
Then there was the grating Of meta
and impatient ordinations from the
doctor
"Ill try it." said Professor Drum,
mond.
There was another sound of the key
in the lock and then the door was
thrown open, followed by such a cry o
amazement from the professor tha
both girls ran up stairs in haste.
Doctor and professor stood JUS
within the chamber staring open
mouthed upon the bed wherein stark
weather's body had been laid.
The bed was empty and there WAS NJ
sign, not the slightest, of the unfortun
ate young man in the room.