davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-12-26
CHAPTER Xxx.
An.mu,a r.r

Meanwhile Mr.. Sutherland and Fred
erick stood facing each other in the
formers library. Nothing had been
said during their walk down the hill,
and nothing seemed likely to proceed
from Frederick now, though his father
waited with great and growing agita-
ton for some explanation that would
relieve the immense strain on his heart.
AT last he himself spoke dryly, as we
all speak when the heart is fullest and
we fear to reveal the depth Of our
emotions.
"What papers were those you gave
into Agnes Ralliday's keeping? Any
thing which we could not have more
safely, not to say discreetly, harbored
in our own house?"
Frederick, taken aback, for he had
not realized that his father had seen
these papers, hesitated for moment;
then he boldly said:
'They were letters-old letters-which
felt to be better out of this house
than In 1t. could not destroy them,
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-12-26

Nos % 8 0 run between Dubuque and Albert
Lea.
Nos. 81 & % run between Lyle and Dubuque
with connection through to Fl Dodge by train
I No 81.
New train makes same stops east Of here Is
No, 2 except that east of Rockford It stops at
East Rockford, Genoa 4 Coleman, This train
Is through vestibule train with dining
car from Omaha to Rockford. No 2 & only
stop at Dyersyille between Manchester and DI
buque.
Nos4sl-s & 81 Run daily Sunday Included
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-12-26

-uves NE mean TO do diiferentlyy
She flushed. "He says SO, Mr.. Suth-
erland. And I, for one, cannot help be-
lieving him. Don't you see that he be-
gins to look like another MANI"
Mr.. Sutherland was taken aback. He
had noticed this fact and had found 1t
a hard one to understand. To ascer-
tain what her explanation Of 1t might
be he replied at once:
"There is change in him-a change
that more than one has noticed. What
is the occasion Of 1t? To what>do you
ascribe 1t, AgnesY
How breathlessly he waited for her
answerl Had she any suspicion Of the
awful doubts which were so deeply
agitating himself that night? She did
not appear to have.
II hesitate" she faltered, shut not
from any doubt of Frederick, to tell
you just what think lies at the bot
tom Of the sudden change observable
in him. Miss Page (you see, can
name her, If you cannot) has proved
herself SO unworthy of his regard that
the shock he has received has opened
his eyes to certain feelings of his own
which made his weakness in her re-
gard possible. do not know OF any
thing else. Do your"
AT this direct question, which pierced
to the very quick Of his trouble, breath
I'd though it was by tender lips and
launched in ignorance Of the barb
which carried it to his heart, Mr.. Suth-
erland recolled and cast an anxious
look upon the door; then, with forced
composure, he quietly said, IF you do
not, who are SO much nearer her age,
and, let me hope, his sympathy, how
should l, who am his father, but have
never been his confidant?"
"Oh," she cried, holding out her hands,
"such good father! Some day he will
appreciate that fact as well as others.
Believe it, Mr.. Sutherland, believe IT.
And then, ashamed of her glowing in
terest, which was little more pro-
nounced than fitted to her simple atti-
tude of friend toward q man professed-
ly in love with another woman, she
faltered little and cast the shyest of
looks upward at the grand but trou-
bled face she had never seen turned
toward her with anything but kind
ness. II have confidence in his good
heart" she added, with something like
dignity.
would God that could share itv'
was the only answer she received. Be.
fore she could recover from the shock
of these words Mr. g,,fho,.lopa x,oc
gone.
Agnes was little troubled by this
interview, for after she had heard the
gate click behind these two friends
and had carried that precious some.
thing away with her up stairs there
was lingering in the step with which
she trod the little white embowered
chamber, sacred to her girlish dreams
that bespoke an overcharged heart, a
heart that, before she slept, found re.
lief in these few words that she whis.
pered into the night air, laden with the
sweetness of honeysuckles:
Can it be that he is right? Did
need such warning-I who have hat
ed this man and who thought that II
was my hatred which made 1t impossi.
BILE for me to think Of anything or any.
body else since we parted from each
other last night? Oh, me, IL 1t is soI'
And from the great, wide world with
out, tremulous with moonlight, the
echo seemed to come back:
"Woe to thee, Agnes Halliday, If thi.
be sol"
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-12-26
Railroad Time Table.
ILLINOIS CENTRAL.
Main Line Passenger Trains.

WEST ROUND MAIN LINE EAST BOUND
Nolsll:49 p mi ;. Fast Train. Ne e 8:H m
No 81 6:23 MI hro Express No ~ S:I6 D m
NO2l 1900 p mi -. Clipper. !. No 22t9: 25 m
No 28t 5000 mi Local ExpresslNo 81 8: 4Opm
& No BIT 1:45 p mi. Way Freight NO 92tli 100 m
No lit 4:lO D mi. ThrO Freight,lNO 62sS:lO m
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-12-26

David City, Neb., April i, 1900.
Genessee Pure Food Co., Leroy, n. Y:
Geltlemen:-I must say In regard to
Grain o that there Is nothing better or
healthier. We nave used 1t for years.
My brother was great coffee drinker.
He was taken sick and the doctor said
coffee was the cause of 1t, and told us
to use Graln-O. We got q package but
did not like 1t at first, but now would
not be without it. My brother has been
well ever since we started to use It.
Yours Truly,
Lille Sochor.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-11-16

10 drag him toward the foot or the
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.
1t was Murdoch.
He 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
succumbing to the effects of the gas.
my darling! my poor darling!" she
exclaimed and suddenly she stag
gered and 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. He bore
her gently up the stairs and into his
study. Then, for an instant, no
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 had re-
turned to where he stood.
"Come!" he said.
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 deposited his burden upon
the floor, Murdoch closed the door of
the death chamber; turned valve
which was near his desk; opened the
windows wide, and revolved a crank
which projected from the wall near
the door of the extension.
"He is shutting off the gas and
opening the steel shutters of the sky,
light" thought Sturgis.
Then the chemist produced a flask
and poured out a small quantity OF
brandy, which he forced his daughter
TO swallow.
AS soon as she was sufficiently re.
vived, she rushed 20 the side of her
lover, whose head she gently raised to
her lap. Murdock's eyes were fas-
tened upon her She met his calm
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 his
coat, stopped over the PROSTATE form
of the man whose life he had tried to
take. and iudustriously worked over
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-11-16

mination, they attacked the door;
raining the blows upon il fast and fu-
riously, and filing the air with q show
er OF splinters.
At length a final stroke sent the
weakened hinges from their fastenings,
and the men rushed through the un-
foreground passage into the murderer's
laboratory.
A hasty, startled glance told them
that Murdoch was not there.
They started for the stairs and were
met by policeman who was just en-
tering Murdock's office.
"Have you got him." asked he detec-
tives in chorus.
"No," replied the policeman, sur
prised; "Mr. Sturgis says he went down
here about 20 minutes ago"
"We chased him in from the other
end not ten minutes 6go."
The policeman hurried down the
stairs.
Murdock's valise and package stood
conspicuous upon the long pine box
But of Murdoch there was no sign.
"Gone!" exclaimed one Of the detec-
tives, deeply mortified at the thought
that his quarry had slipped through
his fingers. "Gone! How? Where?
He cannot have escaped. lie cannot
What is it, Mr.. Sturgis?'
He had suddenly caught sight of the
reporter, half way up the stairs.
Weak and i'll, Sturgis, with blanched
face, chung unsteadily, with one hand,
TO the railing; while. with the other,
he pointed toward the lead-lined vat q,
whose dark viscous contents were
bubbling like boiling OIL.
A pungent vapor rose in dense clouds
from the surface of the liquid. Through
il the fascinated gaze OF the Mortified
men vaguely discerned nameless
thing. tossed in weird and grotesque
rontortions in "A scething vortex.
Murdoch had escaped the justice Of
men.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-11-16
CAPT. JOHN D. HART DEAD.
Man who Won Fame by Carrying
Arms To the Cubans Passes Away
at Philadelphia.

Philadelphia, Nov. l3.-Capt. John
ID. Hart, of Cuban filibustering fame,
died of apopleXy. During the year
1896 two of Capt. Harris vessels, the
Bermuda and the Laurada, made fire.
quent trips to Cuba with arms and
ammunition for the Cubans. Capt.
Hart was convicted in December, 1896,
of participating in filibustering ex-
petition and was sentenced TO two
years imprisonment. In February,
1898, the sentence was put into execu-
tion and in June of the same year
Capt. Hart was pardoned by President
Mckinley.
Capt. Hart was born in Accomac
county, Va, Al years ago.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-11-16
CHAPTER XIV.
lie MURDER SYNDICATE.

"See here, Sturgis, this won't DO.
forbade you to do a stroke of work
to-day, or even TO leave your bed; and
here you are scribbling away just as
though nothing had happened. l tell
you when a man has the narrow squeak
you have, there has been tremendous
strain upon his heart, and it is posi-
lively dangerous"
Don't scold, old man; have never
in my life been better than l feel to-
day. And, besides, this work could not
be postponed"
"Oh, pshaw! That is what nine out
of every ten patients say TO their physi-
clan. They are modestly convinced
that the world must needs come to
standstill if they cannot accomplish
their tiny mite of work.
DR.. Thurston, who had assumed his
frown of professional severity, pro-
ceeded TO feel the reporters pulse
well, you are in luck; better than
you deserve. Almost any other man
would have been laid up for a week by
the experience you have been through.
And here you have the face TO recover
without the assistance of the medical
profession, and in spite of your insolent
disregard of my express orders TO leave
work alone for the present. Now, there
is Sprague-"
"Ah, what of Sprague?" asked the
reporter, anXiously.
"Sprague has had a close call. But
ne is safe now. If tender and intell-
gent nursing count for anything. he
will probably be up in a day or two"
Miss Murdoch"
'Yes. She has professional nurse
TO help her; but she has insisted on
taking charge of the case herself. And
an excellent nurse she is, too. and
charming girl into the bargain-and
what is more, noble woman"
Does she know of her fathers
death?"
II broke the news as gently as
possible. She took il much more calm
Iy than | supposed she would. There
evidently was but little sympathy be-
tween her and her father"
ION her side, at any rate"
Eyes. Her first act on learning of her
idAlitl : tlllitS WIS 10 SEM lOI n law
yer. She refuses TO touch a cent of his
money, and has instructed her attorney
to make such resolutions as may be
possible and to turn the rest to char
liable institutions. This leaves her al.
most penniless; for the property she
held in her own right from her moth
er's estate amounts to very little. For
tunately, Sprague is rich enough for
both. What are you doing there, if |
may ask?"
DR.. Thurston pointed to bundle
which lay upon the table.
THAT is Murdock's autobiography
a LEGACY TO me. The package was found
near his valise in the death chamber.
He had addressed it to me at the last
minute"
Did it help you in your account Of
the knickerbocker bank case for the
Tempest?"
"A little; but naturally. Murdock's
account of that crime was not com.
plete. The entire journal. however,
is of absorbing interest. 1t is a pity
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-11-16
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
: The STURGIS WAGER s
J A DETECTIVE STORY. e
BY EDGAR NOR ETTK e
Copyright, 1899, by Frederick A. Stokes Co. y
A&.Ax NJ
BY EDGAR NOR ETTR

did so, Sturgis found himself again at
the speaking-tube, endeavoring to hear
the conversation, the sound of which
evidently came from Murdocks Office.
He could barely distinguish a word
here and there; but he recognized the
timber of one of the voices. 1t was the
chemists, and his interlocutor was q
woman-perhaps his daughter. If only
he could reach Agnes Murdoch with
some word or signal.
In suspense, he held his ear to the
mouthpiece, occasionally taking a
breath of fresh air TO renew his
strength.
Should he take the chances and shout
in the hope of catching the young
girls attention? If he whistled, MUIR
dock would answer himself, and the
last chance would be lost. But would
she hear n shout? And, if she did, would
not her father prevent her from render
ing any assistance? Yet what other
chance was there? Poor Sprague was
dying; 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 il
he were passing near the mouth-piece
of the speaking-tube at the other end.
81 shall be back directly"
He was going then. Agnes. if il
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 a door
close. Murdoch had left the room
Now or never was the chance TO act.
With all his might he blew repeated
ly into the tube.
"Well?"
The question came in the sweet
tones of woman's voice.
"Mr. Sprague is in great danger.
You alone can save his life. IL you
do at once as I say. Go TO the door
OF the extension; press upward on
the lower hinge; then turn the knob!
Quick, before your father returns!"
Sturgis evoked the image of Muir
dock performing these operations be-
fore opening the door of the extens
sion; and, with retrospective intui.
ton, OWNED their purpose.
There was no answer. Sturgis wait
ed for none. In bound he was at
his friends side and was struggling
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-11-16
that IL cannot be nnhlished. -

that III cannot be published"
why cannot il be published?"
ut would be dangerous to the well
fare Of society. Murdoch was an cx-
traordinary genius in his line: there
is marvellous originality and ingenu-
ity in his work. His crimes, num-
bered by the hundred were all OF
capital Importance in their results;
all deep-laid and skillfully executed.
Ii is hardly likely that such another
consummate artist in crime will cX-
list once "A century. To publish the
details of his schemes would be 10
put formidable weapon in the hands
OF the vulgar herd of ordinary Grim
inals, who lack the Imagination Of
this brilliant villain.
81 tell you, Thurston," continued
Sturgis, with what seemed very like
enthusiastic conviction, this man
was the originator of almost every
unsolved mystery which has non
plussed the police during the last IS
years. He had his agents in every i'm
portant center throughout the coun-
try; agents working under potent in
centives, and yet working in the dark,
for few of them have ever known who
held the mysterious power which de
rected their every move. Murder has
been done wholesale; and so quietly
and mysteriOusly has the work been
accomplished that, in all but this last
case, the detectives have found no
clue whatever which might lead 20
an explanation of he sudden and un-
accountable disappearance Of wealthy
men, whose bodies, shipped TO the
Manhattan Chemical company by
Murdock's agents. were quietly and
Systematically made away with in the
chemists labora tory"
"IIe was the fend incarnatc!" eX-
claimed the physician
well" said Sturgis. after a mo-
ment of thoughtful silence, "at any
rate, he was not wantonly cruel. lie
was heartless; he was pitiless; but
his cruelty was always n means to an
end, however selfish and illegitimate
that end might be. His cruelty is
that, in "A measure of every human
being destroying life that he may 1--we
and trampling upon his fellow men
that he may be comfortable. Be-
tween Murdoch and the rest Of us there
was a difference Of degree, certainly,
but was there a difference Of kind >"
There is one thing which | can
not yet understand" said Thurston,
land that is, why Murdoch should
have pushed his audaci,y to the poin.
of defying you TO ferret out the mys-
terry Of this crime. when ne might
perhaps have avoided all risk Of d.
lection by holding his tongue"
NO man is perfect" answered
Sturgis. scntentiou.ly mot even an
accomplished villain like Murdoch
fortunately for the rest of mankind
Every human being has his weak
points Murdock had two:-his van
ity and his love for his daughter
They were the only traits which con.
pected him with the human family.
To them he owes his undoing."
THE END.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-11-16

him, in an attempt to restore the fail
ing respiration.
Slowly and steadily he worked for
what seemed an eternity TO the anx-
ious girl. At length he rose, calm and
collected as usual. and drew on his
coat again.
"lIe is out of danger now" he saids
"you can do the rest yourself"
And he handed his daughter the
brandy flask.
A faint tinge of color had returned
TO the artists face; his breast heaved
gently in an irregular respiration.
Sturgis, still unable TO stir from the
chair in which he had fallen, was
vaguely conscious of Murdock's move
ments. lie saw the chemist open the
safe which stood near his table and
take from il numerous bundles of
banknotes, which he carefully packed
into valisc; he saw him take from
the same safe few richly bound
notebooks, which he proceeded TO do
up in neat bundle, securely tied and
sealed.
hat and coat, and was preparing to
pass out into the hallway, when a
knock sounded upon the door.
Murdoch opened lightly-enough
to show himself, without revealing
the presence of the other occupants
of the room.
1t was one Of the housemaids.
"Plaze, sur" said the girl, in a
frightened voice, 1.-The polacemun says
he can't wait no longer; he must see
yer right away"
Are they in the parlor?"
"Only the polacemun, sur; the other
man said he would wait outside"
Murdoch took minute for reflec-
ton.
"Wait in the hall until / call YOU"
he said, at last. IF the policeman be-
comes impatient, tell him | shall not
be long; that | am engaged on most
important business"
No sooner had the girl gone than
Murdoch, selling the valise and the
package, opened the door of the eX-
tension. His eyes rested for awhile
upon his daughter, who, still absorbed
in the tender care of her inanimata
lover. was obliyious of all else. There
was in them an unusual oppression
almost tender light; but the inn
passive face was otherwise emotion
less.
The chemist seemed TO hesitate for
a brief instant whether to speak;
then. passing out into the extension,
he softly closed the door behind him.
Sturgis alone weak and powerless.
had seen him go.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-11-16
VIII Make Guns in spain.

Berlin, Nov. ia special dispatch
from Madrid to the Frankfurter
Zeitung says a representative of Herr
Krupp is there negotiating with the
Bilbao capitalist, MARTINEZ Rivas, and
other Spanish capitalists for the or
ganization of a company in Spain to
build ironclads and manufacture can
non
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-11-16
CHAPTER XIV.
CIIECKMATE!

The two detectives, after leaving
Sprague and Sturgis in the cellar Of the
Manhattan Chemical company, pro-
ceeded 10 search the premises from
basement TO roof. Then. somewhat
discounted, they returned 10 the cell
lar. and were surprised to find that
the reporter and his friend had Glsap-
peared.
After Questioning the man whom
they had left on watch on the outside,
and ascertaining that neither>Sprague
nor Sturgis had yet left the house,
the detectives called loudly to the
missing men, and receiving no reply,
at last became alarmed and sent word
of the mysterious disappearance TO
headquarters. The chiefs answer came
at once:
Remain on watch where YOU are.
We shall investigate from the other
side"
One of the detectives thereupon went
up 10 the roof of the building, whence
he could keep watch upon the back
yards, while his companion remained
in the front hall.
They had been waiting thus for some
time, when the latter thought he heard
footsteps in the direction of the private
Office. He was on the alert in an in
slant.
The. door was cautiously opened and
n man stepped out into the hallway.
lie carried valise and package. He
blinked like man coming suddenly
from the darkness into the daylight.
who are you?" asked the detective,
brusquely.
The man looked in the direction of
the voice, and, as his eyes became ac-
customed to the light, returned the de-
tective's surprised stare with a calm
and searching look.
"Checkmate!" he muttered quietly
to himself at last.
Then, without seeming haste, he
passed back into the private office, be-
fore the astonished detective could
make any attempt to stop him.
Recovering himself quickly, the de-
tective followed the sounds of the re-
treating footsteps to the cellar stairs.
Then, fearful of an ambush. he fired his
revolver as a signal TO his companion
on the roof; and, after striking
match, he cautiously descended. reach
ing the cellar just in time to see Muir
dock disappear into the underground
passage.
He rushed TO the spot; and unable TO
find the door, he pounded with all his
might upon the shelves, causing the
bottles TO dance and rattle.
Come now" he shouted, "the games
up! You may as well he reasonable
You can't possibly escape, for you're
surrounded"
No answer came from within.
The man tried his powerful strength
upon the door without any perceptible
effect.
When the second detective arrived
upon the scene he found the first one
removing the bottles from the shelves
by the light of n match held in his
left hand.
Get a light and an ak, Jim. There's
a secret door here which well have to
break in; | can't find any way of open
ing it,"
A few minutes later. the detectives.
after dealing upon the shelves some
telling blows with an AK, called upon
Murdoch TO surrender.
Receiving no answer 20 their sum-
mons, the men stood irresolute for n
few seconds. Then. with grim deter
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-11-16
suit for $4,000. 900.

Denver. Col, Nov. ia suit for
50 100000 against the Portland Gold
Mining company has been brought in
the United States district court by
the heirs of Eugene Doherty, one of
the original patentees of the Black
Diamond mine, which was acquired by
purchase in 1895 by the Portland.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-11-16
WESTROUND
Except Sunday

A. H. CONEY. Agent.
OwOssO, Mich.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-11-16
In Interest of Agriculture.

New Haven, Conn, Nov. 13-The
fourteenth annual convention Of the
Association of American Agricultural
Colleges and Experiment Stations
opened here Tuesday morning with an
attendance of nearly 100. The meet.
ings are being held in the Sheffield sci
entific school.