The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-06-12

lnlS properly, having neen the SUD
ject of an interminable lawsuit, hat
remained for many years unoccupied
and was even now beginning to be re
garded by some of the neighbors a,
haunted, when at last it was bought
by DR.. Murdoch, wealthy widowel
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 te
wealth. They had their horses and
carriages, their house at Lenox and al
Newport, and their yacht. Their cir.
Gle of acquaintance was large, and
included not only the fashionable set
but also a scientific, literary and art
istic set. For DR.. Murdoch was a
chemist of national reputation, a
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 skimming the daily papers;
for each journal in turn was subject
ed to a 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 deliberaton of q man
who is not the slave of time; and yet,
SO systematic were they, that, all lost
motion being avoided, every operation
was rapidly completed.
In a short time the pile of newspa-
pers had been disposed Of, and the
doctor, lighting a choice cigar, leaned
back in his comfortable armchair and
pacedIy 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 a 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 a tall
and beautiful young girl, evidently
not long out of her teens.
ibid l disturb you, father?' she
asked, stepping lightly into the
room.
mo, Agnes" replied Murdoch,
courteously; "as you see, | am indulg-
ing in 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, l should
think you would welcome hard work
as a pleasant change
"Oh!" replied her father, "the
work l have done on those has not
amounted to much. / have only
been cleaning the news from the
morning papers.
"Yes," he added. answering her sur
prised look, sit takes deal of skim
milk to yield little cream"
The last paper which Murdoch had
been examining lay upon the desk be-
fore him. From the closely printed
columns stood out in bold relief the
glaring headlines:
MURDER IN A CAB.
MYSTERIOUS ASSASSINATION OF AN |
UNKNOWN MAN, IN BROAD !
DAYLIGHT.
CABMAN REILLY DENIES ALL
KNOWLEDGE OF THE CRIME.
Miss Murdock's glance rested care
lcssly upon these words for an in
slant. They aroused in her nothing |
more than the mild curiosity which
attaches to events of palpitating hu-
man interest, when they have been
CONCEALED in the columns of the daily |
newspapers and served to palates al
ready stated with sensational YER
bosity.
"Mary said you wished to speak to
me-" said the young girl, after a
short pause. II thought l would step
in to see you before going to Mr..
Sprague's."
"To sprague's?" inquired Murdoch,
fixing his keen eyes upon the young
girl. "Ah, yes; ! remember he spoke
of the appointment last night. How
is the portrait coming on?"
ut is almost finished. Probably
only one or two more sittings, at the
most, will be necessary"
Agnes seemed slightly embarrassed
by the fixity of her fathers search
ing glance. She settled herself in an
armchair and assumed look of defer
ent expectancy.
Not a word of affection had passed
between father and daughter; not
uaress htsl been interchanged. The re-
Ia tions between this impassive man and