Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-10-23

"HCll0' crtSd .NuHWOod. Whote "
trouble Outsider
"Moutcaxtle and will 60 down ant
look around II you will remain here
For Q moment no one spoke ~ they
Gli followed Stanwood out into tho yars
through the door by which Moutoastl
and Miss Benton had just entered
Come ON. Montcastle. proposet
stanwood I'VE might as well investi
gate and have done with it."
"Oh. no; don't leave usi' cried Mis-
Benton. leaning ON Mis- Hastings. 90
am afraid I am going 70 faint Some
thing has happened
A window sash was raised In Ralph
Benton's room up stairs. and he looket
out
whats the matter down thcrev' b,
aaked
"Oh, brother. something must hav'
happened In the garden" replied Mis-
Benton. Agnes heard the report Of
revolver.
"Agnes-Miss Hastings must hav'
made mistake" said the young maj
slowly. when did you hear it!"
"Aboot an hour ago" replied Mis-
Hastinga She was wondering why hi'
voice sounded % strange to her.
wake papa" Alice Benton callet
up to him. and come down. The gen
tlemen are going to search the grounds
Oh. I wish We didn't live 20 far ont!
haven't seen policeman near here II
Q month
The window sash fell with crash
Ralph Benton had disappeared.
Your father" Miss Hastings ex
planned to her friend. went down th'
back stairs just before ! heard the 10
port he has not returned. and that y
the reason / became 20 anxioua
About an hour ago, did you sayr
asked Alice Benton.
II think IL was about that time.
Miss Benton looked at Montcastle.
Ibid you see himi" she asked. 90
thought perhaps
1.-THE governor 10 not In his room o.
In the laboratory" Ralph interrupted
~ he came ACROSS the verApda- He wor'
Q light overcoat with upsurped collar
and the rest Of his attire bore evidence
Of his having hastily dressed.
Miss Hastings thinks the repu'
came from the direction Of the norti
walk" said stanwood 1T 10 no us'
looking elsewhere just now Come on
Benton. Leave Montcastle with tn
ladies"
The last words came from the speaker
after be had disappeared in the shrub
berry among the shadows Of tho tai
tYeea
Ralph made step on two in the same
direction. Then he seemed to change hi'
mind and instead walked down to th'
fountain In the center Of the grounds
Miss Hastings. who was looking st him
wonderingly, saw him rest his hands on
the edge Of the basin and look down
into the water. Presently he stood erect,
turned and slowly came back toward
hem. Just then they heard startled
whistle from Stanwood.
Ralph paused while yet several yardi
from the others
He must have made discovery Of
some sort, be said. II say. Stanwood,
wh-what's the matter?
Miss Hastings noticed that his voict
seemed TO break when be raised IL II
calling to Stanwood.
Gentlemen, I think you'd better
.ome down here" came In guarded
tone from the searoher.
"Oh, no! Don Z leave us!" cried Alict
Benton. II cannot bear It. /"
what 10 IL, Stanwoodi" asked Ralph.
''The ladies refuse to be left alone"
Stanwood came ont Of the shrubbery,
"something awful has happened. .
be said. looking at Miss Benton "B'
prepared
"Fatherl'' gasped Miss Benton.
6tanwood hesitated and glanced ques
tioningly at Ralph
"Out with il" said Ralph. turning
his face toward the house
81 found your father" said Stan
wood "He has been murdered. I"
.'Are Jon sure II was her" asket
Ralph.
''Quite sure he II lying under th'
large oak in the middle Of the norti
wall"
Miss Benton's bead sank 70 Mis-
Hastings' shoulder. and ahe uttered
low moan. Suddenly she raised hel
bead and stared at Aontcastle question
in0Iv