Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-08-28
CHAPTER VII.
AGNES MURDOCH.

In quarter of the city which is
rapidly surrendering to the relentless
encroachments of trade, there still
stand few old-fashioned houses, the
sole survivors of what was once an
aristocratic settlement.
One by one their fellows have been
Slapped and swept away by the resist
less tide of commerce, until these an
cient dwellings, stubbornly contest
ing position already lost, now rear
their sepulchral brownstone fronts in
stiff and solitary grandeur-huge sar-
cophagi III busy mart.
One Of these houses stands we'll
back from the street line, the tradi-
tional backyard of the ordinary New
York dwelling having been sacri-
feed, in this instance, to make room
for tiny garden, which is separated
from the street by tall spiked iron
railing, behind which grows an ar
Dor vitae hedge. The former serves
as defense against the marauding
of the irrepressible metropolitan
ganin; while the latter confers upon
the occupants of the garden SEM
blance of protection from the Gu
rious gaze of the passers-by.
This property, having been the sub
ject of an interminable lawsuit, had
remained for many years unoccupied,
and was even now beginning to be re-
garded by some of the neighbors as
haunted, when at last it was bought
by DR.. Murdoch, a wealthy widower
with an only daughter. For some
months masons and carpenters were
at work; and then, one day, the new
occupants entered into possession.
The Murdocks lived quietly but lux
uriously, like people accustomed to
wealth. They had their horses and
carriages. their house at Lenox and at
Newport, and their yacht. Their cir
Gle of acquaintance was large, and
included not only the fashionable set,
but also scientific, literary and art
istic set. For DR.. Murdoch was a
chemist of national reputation, q
member of several scientific bodies,
and a man Of great intelligence and
broad culture.
On this particular New Years morn
ing DR.. Murdoch was seated in his
study, apparently absorbed in read
ing the daily papers, pile of which
lay upon his table. His occupation
might perhaps more accurately be de-
scribed as slsimming the daily papers;
for each journal in turn was subject
ed to rapid scrutiny, and only few
columns seemed occasionally to inter-
est the reader.
There was no haste visible in the
doctors actions, each one of which
appeared to be performed with the
GOODNESS and elaboration of man
who is not the slave of time; and yet,
SO systematic We're they, that, all lost
motion being avoided, every operation
was rapidly completed.
In short time the pile of newspa-
pers had been disposed of, and the
doctor, lighting choice cigar. leaned
back in his comfortable armchair and
placedly pulled the wreaths of fra
grant smoke ceilingward. He was ap-
parently satisfied with the world and
with himself, this calm, passionless
man. And yet sharp observer would
have noted an almost imperceptible
furrow between the eyes, which might
perhaps have indicated only the
healthy mental activity Of an or
binary man; but which. in one given
so little to outward manifestation Of
feeling as DR.. Murdoch, might also
betoken more or less serious annoy
ance or displeasure.
While the chemist sat in this pen
sive attitude, there was rustic of
skirts outside, and presently there
came gentle knock at the door Of
the study.
Come in!" said Murdoch. removing
the cigar from his lips.
The door opened, admitting o tall
and beautiful young girl. evidently
not long out of her teens.
did ! disturb you, father?" she
asked, stepping lightly into the
room.
mo, Agnes" replied Murdoch,
courteously; las you see, am indulg-
ing in a period of dolce far niente."
The young girl laughed clear, sill
very laugh, as her eyes fell upon the
pile of newspapers.
IF the reading of dozen news
papers is dolce far niente, I should
think you would welcome hard work
as a pleasant change"
"Oh!" replied her father, "the
work I have done on those has not
amounted to much. I have only