Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-07-02
;Betore TheyWere Married.;
By HENRY c. PARKER
By HENRY c. PARKER.


mere HOLHluS ike SuCCcSh, plO-
fessor," said StarkWeather, leaning In
his chair and smiling contentedly.
I'm afraid you're counting chickens
before they're Matched, young man,
RESPONDED Professor Drummond.
Nonsense! Pm not enjoying the
prospect of the future so much as | am
the certainty of the present. You must
now that the earnest workman takes
keen pleasure in a job well done, even
,rorc he gets his pay for it.
All, yes; | understand you now.
was afraid you had forgotten the
chances of difficulties, not TO say fail
ures, ahead of u.s."
Not once, but perhaps I'm more
sanguine than you are. | was about to
add something tEat shouldn't be said"
and Starkweather smiled mischicv.
Cusly.
you'll have to say it now" sad the
professor, "or | shall be sure - take
Uffense."
Starkweather leaned back and
laughed.
"rhe idea of your being offended with
me" he exclaimed. "Wall, | was 80
ing to account for my sanguinenass by
saying that ] was younger than yHu
are"
"Woll, why shouldn't that be said 2"
Because you're not an old man yet
You're young enough to fell the best
there is in life, to work for it, to
plan
"And to leave others to enjoy the
fruits of my ingenuity and labor
That's the real case, Starkweather Pm
not ut all gloomy over it, you cal see
that without me telling you, but with
your fewer years and robust frame you
are more likely than | to profit by the
summers work"
Honestly, l hope not, professor.
At this moment Betsey Hubbard
came into the room to clear away the
dishes. Starkweather stopped abruptly
and looked intently out of the window
at the rushing river, while the profess
sor rose and strolled idly TO the door
and thence to the piazza. stark
weather followed him as Betscy let the
room with an armful of cups and table
ware.
What Il way she has" he said, cot
popping in on one at unexpected mo-
mcnts."
Popping isn't the word, young man.
She never makes any noise about H."
That's true. Well, I'm going to
take Il look at the shop"
"Ill join you in two or three min
utcs," responded the professor.
Starkweather re-entered the house.
while Professor Drummond leaned both
hands on the piazza rail and looked
down at the water So close to the
river was the house that the piazza
ovcrhung it. A plummet dropped from
where the professor stood would have
sunk several fee into the stream.
After moment thus Professor Drum
mond turned about with something of
Il sigh. A sound as of a heavy body
falling caused him to start violently.
An instant Of hesitation and perpleXIty
and then he dashed into the house and
through the spacious hall that had been
the hotel office to the back, where lit
tie corridor ran to the rooms that
nestled against the ledge.
Near the far end of the corridor
Starkwcather lay motionless.
Professor Drummond leaned over him
and applied his hand to the young
mans body in such a way as 10 indI-
cate that he was familiar with more
sciences than mechanics
Great heavens" he exclaimed in Il
low voice dead
He stood up and looked around, his
face wrinliled with Consideration, great
beads of perspiration starting on his
brow,
"Betsey" he called, but his voice.
faint and choking, could not have pene-
tratcd farther than the hall.
ThcN he recovered his selt-poSses-
sion a bit, and, STOPPING over, he lifted
thc unfortunate young man in his arms
and carried him into the nall
He paused there an instant and then
started up the bread, winding stairs.
Just ut the top he met Batsey, whom he
had supposed to be in the basement
kitchen, She gave vent to II shril!
scream and drew back to let him pass,
Open the door behind you, Betsey"'
commanded the professor, painting from
cNertion
The woman stood stock still, too un-
nCrvcd to move.
The professor pushed by her and
managed somehow to open the door o.
small chamber without setting down
his burden. lie laid Starkweather upon
the iron-framed bed there. frownlng
and shivering as he heard Betsey
scream again.
lie turned to the door and saw ne
going downstairs.
Woman" he cried. do not leave the
house"
Vie AMY answer NNaS jr,a ut ir,llnt !