The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-09-18
A Question of Guilt.
F'rom the New York Evening Post. I
Two Parts)

On cerain wet February afternoon, not
many years ago. Richard Monk II. D., as
cended the steps in the house in which
lived his eccentric aunt, Miss Selma Rock
wood. and rang the bell. The doctors visit
was in response to a note which he had
received but few hours previously, re-
| Questiug him to call as soon as possible.
When the young physician was ushered in
to his aunt's presence. that lady was just
giving her maid-of-all-work certain shop
| ping directions. He could not avoid over
| hearing the conclusion Of her remarks to
the effect that from the milliner's you go
to the apothecary and ask him to make
me up my medicine while he is doing that
go to the postoffice and mail the letters
and buy me some postage stamps from
there go back TO the drug store, where the
medicine will probably be ready then stop
| at the express ONCE and see if those two
parcels have arrived for me, and then come
/ back at once-now, do you think that you
can remember all THAR" Upon receiving
an affirmative reply, Kate Clare was told
| TO go, and the old lady turned her atten-
ton to her nephew.
I II has already been stated that Miss Sc
| lima lockwood was eccentric; II should
| now be added that she was also very
| wealthy, and that her only near relative
was her nephew. She was a tall, thin wo-
a voice that was remarkable for its shrill-
ness. AS she had never been able to secure
a husband, she devoted her entire atten-
| ton TO chronological research, and the
walls OF her rooms were lined with glass
cases in which reposed all classes of cole
optera and hymenoptera, with pins and
needles struck through their bodies. So
extensive was her collection that she had
been elected an honorary member of vari-
414 rrf4,
scientists frequently paid her visits to ex-
anime her rare specimens of African and
South African beetles and butterflies, she
was without honor among the unappreci-
alive townspeople, who irreverently styled
her 'the bug collector
Miss Selma, moreover had a very disa-
greeable way Of letting her nephew know
that her fortune, or at least the greatest
part Of it, might be left to some museum
or scientific body Il he did not accede TO
her whims in every respect.
so you have come at last" she snap
ped out you needn't take off your coat,
for what I have to say Will take but
very few moments, and il is probably the
very last time that 1 shall ever care to
see you or speak to you Then, noticing
a surprised look on her nephew's face, she
continued: rs all this true that L have
heard, that you are engaged to be mar
ried to Prof. Strang's daughter? DIDN'T
you think It worth your while to consult
me first?''
But, my dear aunt" he began
Don't dear aunt me-" she replied, and |
she worked herself into a passion that |
turned her face scarlet DO you think that |
/ would allow you to marry the daughter |
Of that man? That man. who ridicules |
my collections, and"
Really. Aunt Selma, won't you allow
me TO explain"
Il want no explanation from you An
swer me, are you engaged to her or not?"
yourself so, l."
VIII you answer my question? Yes or
no?'
Yes. am engaged to
Then CO." she fairly screamed, and |
pointed with her long finger to the door,
go! 1 say, and tomorrow I shall send for
my lawyer, and have my will altered
What? Are you still here? Go, Co.. I
say"
And Mr.. Richard Monk. seeing what a
passion she was in. and thinking that his
presence would only excite her more, rap
idly walked out of the house into the
street.
\
far, and the doctor meditated as to where
he should go next; he walked slowly down
the street toward that portion of the VIII
iage which was occupied chiefly by the
He was pale and nervous r.
ritated and undecided. His hands were nj
the pockets of his overcoat, and were both |
tightly clenched. Mechanically, he repeat
ed his aunts last words: she said, to-
morrow l shall send for my lawyer and
have my will altered then there must be
a will now, and l am evidently hard
somely remembered. The new will which
she intends to execute tomorrow will prob
ably leave all or at least the greater part
Of her fortune to those butterfly chasers
and bug-collectors. But if she shouldn't
make will. then
CHANGING ahead, ne saw Kate Clare his
aunts assistant, entering the apothecary's |
He waited patiently until she came out.
and then approached the door and looked
n. Kate by this time had disappeared !
around the corner. Nobody was inside but |
he old druggist he was a personal friend
If the young doctor. and compounded near
y all of the iatter's prescriptions. Doc
or Monk went in, and sauntered to the
back OF the shop; he said good afternoon"
o the proprietor. The elder man noticed
ne pale appearance of the younger one,
md remarked: well, well. whatever Is
he matter? You look terribly shaken I'D.
Setter fix up something for yourself. You :
NOW where the port wine is. help your
elf" Monk replied to the effect that moth
ng was the matter with himself. and as
he apothecary was just beginning TO COM
'ound the tonic for Miss lockwood. he |
TODD by his side and watched him. The
description was written by a physician
rom neighbor;ng town il was dated c
ONE time previously. and was pasted in ! I
large old-fashioned scrap book. Monk &
ould not avoid reading some of the in
rodents ,
R.-Acid Tannic gr. {. (
Syr. Yerbs Santo o. .ii {
Sulph. Quin. gr. Xiv c
The druggist had begun. and every few !,
econds he he'd his graduated glass above =
is head to see that the proportions were
roperly observed. Both men were hidden
rom view by row OF shelves on which | l
opposed bottles, pots and small jars The Q
ounger man was now reading the titles, | :
% 4 q