The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-10-05

fore opening the door of the lxtent
sion; and, with retrospective intui'
ton, OWNED their purpose.
There was no answer. Sturgis wait
ed for none. In a bound he was Mt
his friends side and was struggling
to drag him toward the foot of tho
stairs As he reached this point, the
door opened and revealed Agnes Muir
dock pale and frightened, on the
landing at the top.
The first rush of gas caused her
TO start back; but in another instant
she had caught sight of her lovers
inanimate form and had rushed to his
assistance.
Suddenly a shadow fell across the
threshold of the open door Sturgis
looked up in quick apprehension.
IT was Murdoch.
lie stood critically observing the
scene, with all outward appearance OF
calmness.
Agnes had not seen him. She was
making desperate efforts to raise
Sprague's limp form; but felt herself
succurnbing to the effects of the gas.
"Nfy darlingl my poor darling!" she
exclaimed and suddenly she stag
gered apd lurched forward,
Sturgis made an instructive effort to
support her; but before he could
reach her Murdoch was at her side
and had her in his arms. lie bore
her gently up the stairs and into his
study. Then. for an instant, hc
seemed to hesitate, The reporter eX-
pected to see him close the door. In
stinctively his hand reached back to
his hip pocket for his revolver. But,
in another moment, Murdoch he'd re-
turned to where he stood.
"Come!" he saiG.
At the same time he lifted the artist
in his arms and carried him up the
stairs. Sturgis followed unsteadily
and reached the study, only to fall
exhausted into a chair.
Having deporijcd his burden upon
the floor. MurGock closed the door OF
the death chamber; turned valve
which was near his desk opened the
windows wide. and rcvolvcG a crank
which projected from the wall near
the door of the extension.
ale is shutting off the gas ant
opening the steel shutters of the sky
light" thought Sturgis.
Then the chemist produced n fash
and poured out q small quantity O
brandy. which Le forced his daughter
20 swallow.
AS soon as she was sufficiently re
vived, she rushed t. the side of hel
lover, whose head she gently raised t
her lap. Murdocks eyes were fas
tened upon her. She met his calm
questioning gaze.
Eyes, love him." she said, simply.
Then this strange man. without an
other word, gently pushed his daugh
ter TO one side end, throwing off hi
coat. stopped over the PROSTATE form
Of the man whose life ne had tried T.
take. and industriously worked owe
him, in an attempt 20 restore the taiI
ing respiration.
Slowly and steadily ne worked 70
what seemed an eternity to the anS
ious girl. At length he rose, calm an
collected as usual, and drew on hi
coat again.
"TTe is out of danger now" he said
you can do the rest yourself"
And Ae banded his daughter tn
brandy flask. -''--' ga t-
\ faint tinge of color had returne
TO the artists face; his breast heave
gently in an irregular respiration.
Sturgis, still unable to stir from tn
chair IN which he mad fallen, wa
vaguely conscious of Murdock's move
ments. lie saw the chemist open tn
safe which stood near his table an
take from it numerous bundles {
banlinotes. which he carefully packe
into valise; he saw him take froI
the same safe few richly boun
notebooks, which he proceeded to d
up in a neat bundle. securely tied an
sealed.
This done, the chemist put on hi
hat and coat, and was preparing I
pass out into the hallway, when
knock sounded upon the door.
Murdoch opened slightly-enoug
. to show himself, without revealin
the presence of the other occupant
of the room.
1t was one of the housemaids.
"Plaze, sur" said the girl. in
frightened voice, 1.-THE polacemun say
t he can't wait no longer; he must Sc
yer right away"
-Are they in the parlor?"
p ~Only the polacemun, sur; the othC
man said he would wait outside"
Murdoch took minute for refe
ton.
l ''Wait in the hall until l call you
4, he said, Mt last. IF the policeman b
, comes impatient, tell him | shall NJ
. be long; that l am engaged on mo-
e important business"
No sooner had the girl gone tina
Murdoch, Selling the valise and Il
a poolyara or,.upI tho Ippr - tho a