Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-02-27

N So
lying on the carpet, that the drawers
and cabinet had been ransacked, and
that the window was not quite shut
down.
He took this in at a glance as he
ran to where Capel lay close to the
door, where he had dragged himself
some time during the early hours of
the morn, to lie exhausted after vainly
trying to raise the alarm.
"He's dead, sir, dead!" groaned the
butler.
"Hush!" cried the old lawyer, harsh
ly. He's not dead. Mr.. Arts, you
are young and active. Quick. That
doctor, Mr.. Heston. You know where
he lives. You, Freeman, brandy.
Stop. Tell the ladies Mr.. Capel is
ill. Nothing more Don't spread lie
alarm"
''Is anything very serious the mat
ter?" said voice at the door.
'FYes-no, my dear. Go away now"
cried the old. lawyer, ''Mr. Capel is i'll. "
"There is something terribly wrong
again." said a deeper voice, and,
white as ashes and closely followed by
Katrine, Lydia came in.
She uttered faint cry, and then
wrested herself from Arts. who tried
to stop her.
mo-" she cried, imperiously,
changed as it were in an instant from
shivering girl into a thoughtful
woman. 'Quick! go for help. Mr..
Critic, what can I do?"
eyes, let me help, too," said Katrine.
what is it? has he tried to kill
himself?"
''No," cried Lydia, turning upon her
fercely. He was too true a man"
I'm afraid there has been an at
tempt made by burglars" said the
old lawyer, 'and that our young
friend has been trying to defend the
place; but-but he was locked in here
the key was in my table-and--and
I'm afraid I'm growing very old
things seem so much confused now"
He put his hand to his head for a
few moments, and looked help1ess1y
from one to the otherr. Then his
customary sang-froid seemed to have
returned.
''This is not sight for you, ladies',
he said. ''Pray go back"
II am not afraid, Mr.. Critic" said
Katrine, with slight shudder, as she
looked eagerly about the room.
For her answer, Lydia took water
from the washstand, and began to
battle the blood-smeared face, kneel-
ing down by Capel's side.
Just then Freeman entered with
decanter and glass, the former clat-
tering against the latter as he poured
out some Of the contents.
Holding little of the brandy to
CapePs clinched teeth, Mr.. Critic
managed to trickle through few
drops at a time, while Lydia con-
tinued the bathing, and Katrine stood,
like some beautiful statue, gazing
down at them with wrinkled brow
and clasped hands.
By this time the knowledge that
something was wrong had reached the
women-servants, and they had both
came to the door.
mo, no; keep them away, Preen-
ham" said Mr.. Critic, in answer to Of
fers Of assistance. "You go down, too,
doctor in."
eyes, sir, WILL said the old but
Ter, piteously; ''but my young mas
ter-will he liver"
please God!" said the lawyer,
simply,
'But he is not dead, sir?"
"There is your answer, man." said
Mr.. Critic, for just then Capel uttered
low moan.
The old butler bent down on on
knee, and Lydia darted at him a CRATE
rul look as she saw him lift and press
one cold hand; and then, laying it
down, he rose, and went out of the
room on tiptoe, raising his hands
and his face toward heaven.
''Was he stabbed-with that sword?"
said Lydia, in hoarse whisper.
"No, think not. The doctor must
soon be here" was the reply.
In fact, five minutes later there was
Heston hurried in, followed by Arts
"Give me room," he said, quickly
Ladies, please CO."
Katrine turned slowly and glanced
at Lydia.
II may stay, DR.. Heston," she said
II may be Of USE"
''No words now" he said, sharply.
"By and by you will be invaluable
Well, there-stay"
He had thrown off his coat and roll
ed up his sleeves as he spoke, and as
Lydia bent down her head and stood
waiting Katrine left the ROOM Then
the deft-handed medico was busy with
his examination.
Head literally scored with a bull
let," he said.
mot cut?" whispered Mr.. Critic,
pointing to the sword.
|'Bless me, no. Scored by a bullet.
An inch lower-halloo! what have we
hnrn9n