Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-09-08
A DEADLY OCTAVE.

think it very serious Casa. is not
that sou
We'll, Mrs. Delmege," l replied, in
as cheering tone as possible, there
is really no immediate cause for anx-
iety. Your daughter is undoubtedly
not in good state of health; her
nerves are UPSET and she waits rest
and total freedom from wo:r.s."
But" said Mr.. Delmege, what can
she have FAD to worry her? She
was always, as you knew, in the best
OF health anG good spirits until the
past few months. when she has gradu-
ally fallen into this condition"
Il should Ike to see DR.. O'Connell,"
l replied, rather evasively. HE has,
you say, been attending Miss Delmege
for some time past?"
DR.. O'ConnciI, the local practitioner,
lived but short distance from Dean
park, Mr.. De1nege's residence.
I'VE will send the trap over there
at once with you if you wish,' said
Mr.. Delmege.
do SOL" I answered. Il am anx-
ious to see him as soon as possible"
l had lengthy conversation with
the doctor. He $50 Il smart, intelligent
looking man, and had the reputation OF
possessing a larger share of ability
than is usual in e. country practitioner.
The result of our conversation was
that I decided to remain for some
time at Deanpark, and wired to my
house in London for my things to be
sent on.
The case was a more serious one
than I cared to admit to Miss Del
mege's parents. The danger was not
immediate; but if my diagnosis of the
case, with which DR.. O'Connell quite
agreed, was a correct one-the girls
life was undoubtedly in danger.
Miss Delmege was a young girl of
about 10, and extremely pretty, she
was an only child, and the idol of her
parents. She had suddenly some
months ago, fallen into rather bad
health, becoming subject to violent
headaches, attended by continued sore
threats and pains in the eyes.
At length DR.. O'Connell, the local
man advised calling in further advice,
and 1, being an old friend of Mr.. Del
mege's was sent for.
Ten days or so passed by after my
arrival at Deanpark, during which
time I carefully studied and watched
the progression progress, alas! it
was-of the malady from which Miss
Delmege was suffering, and at the end
of that time was fairly puzzled to ar
rive at the cause, though I was quite
satisfied as to what the nature of the
| illness was.
"Can we do nothing for my poor
child?' exclaimed Mr.. Delmege, during
one of my visits. "Is she to die under
our very hands?"
l determined then to tell Mr.. Del
mege my opinion of the case, as there
was nothing to be gained by conceal
ing it any longer from him.
II have made" said, %a most care
full diagnosis of the complaint from
which your daughter is suffering, and
there is in my mind not the slightest
doubt but that it is the effects Of
arsenic poisoning
| Mr. DSlmeSG Sldl GU DIT lIIS Ill uOl 1Ol
"Poisoning!" he exclaimed.
"Yes,' I continued. "All her symp-
toms are those exhibited in arsenic
poisoning. The mystery is how she
is getting it. She eats exactly the
same food as you eat; it cannot there
fore, be in that way. I have examined
critically the paper on the walls Of her
bedroom; l have subjected even the
soap, her tooth powder-every little
thing I can think of, in fact-to a
most minute inspection, and in no way
can I ascertain any traces of the pois-
ing.
| II confess feel helpless to strike on
any likely theory at present, but at
all events I would advise your TAX
ing your daughter for change of air
somewhere. If she makes a decided
| Improvement while away I candidly
tell you I would not take her back
here until l have ascertained the
source of this poison, which is I'M
doubtedly being administered to your
| daughter in such way that it appar-
emily affects no others in your house
hold"
Mr.. Delmege stood aghast at what
| told him.
"Poison?" he said. ooh, who would
want to injure my poor Agnes, who
| never did harm to anyone in her life?"
Tell me-" asked, sis there any
one who would gain directly by her
death?"
"No-oh, MOI" Mr.. Delmege replied
horror struck by my question. "Ah,
but let me see!" he went on, as if con-
sidering. "There is Mr.. Hunt. He is
a trustee for 100000, which was left
to Agnes by her aunt. If she should
die before she becomes of age the
money goes to Mr.. Hunt or his chill
dren. In the event of her surviving
that age, the money becomes abso-
lutely my daughters. But I cannot be-
lieve that Mr.. Hunt would on that ac-
count try to injure my child. He has
always been very obliging in many
ways-indeed, it was Mr.. Hunt who
ohoco that new pianO for Agnes as we