Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-10-15
:Before TheyWe'e Married.:
Ry HENRY c. PARKER.


use of electricity in his house, and to
demand how and why there was con-
nection between his dining table and
the battery in the shop, but Dr. Will
liams was so repealed by the situation
in which he found himself that he was
determined to break away from il as
soor as possible, and even If he had
been alone with Professor nrummond,
he might have kept silence, sitting his
native desire to get at the truth.
Philbrick. after another iuQuiring
glance at the doctor, seemed to feel
called upon to do something that
should appear to be taking advantage
Of the professors offer. He raised a
chsel from the beach and remarkod:
Even doubter, Professor Drum
mond, would see that you have told
the truth. Every tool I've picked up
shows dust mark That could not he
the case if things lad been moved
about much"
That's what like to hear" said the
professor. 1t seems you've had your
eyes open and your mind active since
YOU came in. Go ahead, Mr.. Phil
brick"
I'm considerably interested by this
thing. What is it," and Phiibrick
pointed to the large structure at one
side.
That's one of my secrets, replied
Professor Drummond. Its an inven-
ton for the manufacture of metal net
ting or screens. It is incompl te as
yet. When done it will be adapted
to making the finest kind of steel gauze
or the heaviest kind of screens, such
as are set up in bank to guard the
tellerS' counters. I'm not so sure that
one couldn't use 1t for the making of
"A heavy, ornamental iron fence"
Marvellous how il these days me-
chanical operations are developed re-
marked Philbrick ddmiringly. What
are you going to do with this contri-
vance,"
He touched a smaller article with his
foot.
That's another secret. a new device
for separating gold. am perfectly
willing to show you just how that or
any other contrivance here operates.
Shall -"
BLESS you, no! l shouldn't under
stand a word OF it"
The professor sighed again.
Does nothing occur to you, doctor?"
Nothing"
"All | can say then, gentlemen, is
that | am at your service any time
anything does occur to you.
He opened the door and they passed
out.
How is Miss Willis, DOCTOR" asked
Philbrick.
Unchanged There will be little
else to report for two or three days
probably"
The doctor left the house almost i'm
rest Professor Drummond let him go
with merely an assurance that there
was plenty Of room for him - Fair
view should he choose to sleep there.
DR.. Williams CURLY replied that he
preferred to go home, but would stay
II
dition of the patient required it.
Il wish | could get mother and Miss
Willis from under that mans roof" he
thought as he trudged up the hill; but
it mustn't be thought of until she Is at
least convalesceht. l wish ! might
mover have to see the professor again"
In spite of this wish he turned his
head when he came to the top Of the
hill and looked back He saw Phil
brick seated negligently on the piazza
rail, talking with Louise.
Well" reflected the doctor, iii he
wants to prove the professor murder
er, let him do it. And II he wants to
marry Louise, let him do that, too"
He felt a little ashamed of himself,
for mingled with his thoughts was a
trace OF resentment against the man
who had supplanted him in Louise's
If ever he had been there;
and he recognized how unworthy such
a feeling was, now that he no longer
loved her.
The doctor slept well until evening,
and tnen returned to his patient. There
had been no change, his mother told
him. He sat upon the edge of the bed,
looking at Amelia. and his heart was
+, n~d,y. He was thinking OF her,
and not wholly with professional in
terest.
Poor grill" his thoughts ran, you
have fighting chance for life. Brain
fever does not always kill, and we may
be able to avert 1t; but what will life
be for you If you save it? What COM
pensation can possibly await you I"
,.aHlsh the horrible shadow of these
days? | wonder if Providence, in his
may not battle my efforts to
restore you to the terrors and anguish
OF nyipgo And yet my efforts will be
to that end more earnestly
than to any end | ever sought to nc
.omoish. There shall be no other
death chargeable to Professor Drum
mond If can help it."
1t was not wholly professional pride,
not wholly antagoris'o TO the profess
aor, not who'll! Doth Of these together
: h9Y nit Cd he i ~