Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-10-16
BH
EDGAR ~ RETTE

he was seized with utter despair and
gave up the struggle.
He had sunk dejectedly upon the
chair when faint and indistinct MUIR
muir, as Of distant voices, beat upon his
ears, whose natural acuity seemed ex-
traordinarily increased by the long
nervous tension under which he had
been. The ruling passion is strong in
death; without knowing just why he
did 30, Sturgis found himself again at
the speaking-tube. endeavoring to hear
the conversation, the sound of which
evidently came from Murdock's office.
He could barely distinguish word
here and there; but he recognized the
timber Of one OF the voices. 1t was the
chemists, and his interlocutor was
woman-perhaps his daughter. II only
he could reach Agnes Murdoch with
some word or signal.
In suspense, he held his ear to the
mouthpiece, occasionally taking q
breath Of fresh air to renew his
strength.
Should he take the chances and shout
In the hope Of catching the young
girls attention. II he whistled, Mur-
dock would answer himself, and the
last chance would be lost. But would
she hear o shout7 And, II she did, would
not her father prevent her from render
ing any assistance? Yet what other
chance was there? Poor sprague was
dyingi perhaps already dead. There
was no time to lose.
He stood for awhile irresolute, and
had Just made up his mind to risk all
on bold move, when suddenly MUIR
docks voice became more distinct, as II
he were passing near the mouth-piece
OF the speaking-tube at the other end.
II shall be back directly"
He was going then. Agnes, If 1t
were she, would remain alone for at
least an instant; and in that instant
| lay possible salvation.
The reporter strained every nerve
to catch some other word None
came. But presently he heard door
close. Murdoch had left the room.
Now or never was the chance to act
With NIL his might he blew repeated.
| ly into the tube.
"Well?"
The question came In the sweet
! tones of n woman's voice.
! "Mr. sprague is in great danger
You alone can save his life, If 20,
do at once us say. Go to the dool
OF the extension; press upward or
the lower hinge; then turn the knob
| Quick, before your father returns!"
/. Sturgis evoked the imasye of Muir
dock performing these operations be
fore opening the door OF the exten
sion; and. with retrospective intui
ton, OWNED their purpose.
There was no answer. Sturgis wait
ed for none. In a bound he was q,
his friends side and was struggling
to drag him toward the foot of thu
stairs. AS he reached this point, the
door opened and revealed Agnes Muir
4 dock, pale and frightened, on tn,
landing ut the top.
The first rush Of gas caused hel
to start back; but in another instan
she had caught sight Of her lovers
inanimate form and had rushed to hi.
assistance.
/ Suddenly q shadow fell across the
threshold of the open door. Sturgi.
looked up in quick apprehension.
It was Murdoch.
he stood critically observing tn,
scene, with oil outward appearance O
calmness.
Agnes had not seen him. She wa
making desperate efforts to rails,
!, Sprague's limp form; but felt hersel
succumbing to the effects Of the gas.
i "My darling! my poor darlingl" sh,
exclaimed and suddenly she stag
Il gered and lurched forward.
4 6turgis made an instructive effort Il
support her; but before he could
reach her Murdoch was at her sid,
and had her In his arms. He Dor,
her gently up the stairs and into hi
study. Then, for an instant, h,
seemed to hesitate. The reporter ex
pected to see him close the door. In
stinctively his hand reached back tt
his hip pocket for his revolver. But
In another moment. Murdoch had re
turned to where he stood.
"Comel" he said.
AT the same time he lifted the artis
in his arms and carried him up tn,
stairs. Sturgis followed unsteadil,
and reached the study. only to fal
exhausted into a chair.
Having deposited his burden upoI
the floor, Murdoch closed the door O
the death chamber; turned valy,
which was near his desk; opened tn,
windows wide, and revolved cranl
which projected from the wall nea,
the door OF the extension.
He is shutting off the gas ant
opening the steel shutters Of the sky
light" thought Sturgis.
Then the chemist produced flasl
and poured out small quantity o
brandy, which he forced his daughte
( to swallow.
AS soon as she was sufficiently re
vived, she rushed to the side of he
lover, whose head she gently raised t,
her lap. Murdocls's eyes were fas
tened upon her. She met his cain
questioning gaze.
Yes, love him." she said, simply.
/ Then this strange man, without an
other word, gently pushed his daugh
ter to one side and. throwing off hi
coat, stopped over the PROSTATE form
of the man whose life lie had tried tt
take, and industriously worked owe,
him, in an attempt to restore the fail
ing respiration.
i Slowly and steadily he worked TO
| what seemed nm efernitv to the any