Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1901-12-20

~ rnat moment, however me q ti.t
stumbled; and, instinst ively holding
out1his hands to sac himself from fall
ing,5he released His hold Of the door,
which closed With slam. A.s. IL;
THAT is unfortunate . said Sturgis;
I'VE may have to lose some time in
learning how 10 work: the bolt from
this side. Hold on; twill be prudent
TO keep open . line ofSretreat, in ease
Of Unforeseen emergencies. Hellol ~
are in luck. Nothing concealed on this
side; the bolt in plail sight; works
easily. All's well Then let us 70 sn;
unless I am greatly mistaken w shall
find another exit on the other sille.''
After following the underground
passage, for ssme: distance the men
climbed ..7pne steps and reached. q
SQUARE >-ambey. On one side Of whish
rose 'tairway leading to a der
above, nhe room was surmoun ted ~ q
skyii>lh&, which was wide open, admit
ting e. >.sught Of cold air from Ne
outsi j; 1T. 49, .:tf..s ..
.Sth-.>, set down his lighted caN8bD
and pr>eeeded to examine his sur
roundinss. In the middle of the room
stood a truck, upon which lay long
pine box. A table and chair consti-
tuted the only furniture of the place.
At one side there was long, Low,
lead-lined tank, filed to the depth of
about two feet with a dark viscous
liquid. Near it lay a few empty car
boys. In the floor there was what
seemed to be hot-air register, of large
size and of peculiar construction. The
walls were bare, unbroken, save by the
projection of the mouthpiece of a
speaking tube. and by set of shelves
filled with TASKS, crucibles, alembics
and the other paraphernalia of chem
lists laboratory.
After the reporter had finished re-
connoitering he sat down upon the
long box in deep thought. Sprague OBJ
served him with silent curiosity for
awhile, and then, with growing impa~
tience:
II say, old m&n," he ventured at last
to ask, ''did yoa bring me here, armed
to the teeth, 10 see you go off into a
trance"
Sturgis started like man suddenly
awakened FROM . deep sleep.
"Eh? What? Oh, yes-those conf
dences. Well, you start in with yours.
I am trying to find the denouement of
my story. feel that it is just within
my grasp; and yet cannot seem to
see it yet. But can listen to you while
I am thinking. Go on"
II have not any story to TELL" said
Sprague, somewhat offended at his
friends apparent Indifference to what
he had to say.
"Oh, yes, you have" retorted Stur-
gis, with a conciliatory smile; you
said you had news to tell me. Well, tell
away. 1 am listening most respectful
ly, in spite of my apparent absorb
tion.''
What strange fellow you are, stur-
gis," laughed Sprague, go0d-naturedly.
"Au I wanted to tell you--aA I you are
the first to hear of it's the. to me,
rather important fact that 1ah en-
gagged to be married" { - :.
"You are?" exclaimed, S. ,F9iA, with
genuine pleasure. Il congratulate you,
old fellow, from the bottom of my
heart"
He seized the artists hand and shook
it in his hearty grasp.
ITO the original of the picture you
wanted to show me yesterday" he
asked.
EYES,"
''Then she was not betrothed to the
other fellow, after ALP"
mo; that seems to have been a mis-
take"
II. am glad of that, very glad" said
the reporter. by the way, you have
not yet told me the young lad1's
name."
II thought I had mentioned it yes
terday morning. Didn't I? No? Ny
fiancee is Miss MURDOCH .,
At the sound of this name Sturgis
started visibly, and shadow crossed
his features.
Miss Murdock?" he echoed.
LES, ed1u 0PidSue. "naC Ii 1C9
You do not seem pleased"
Then, a. sudden thought struck
him: -.
Il hope am not treading on your
toes, old fellow" he said, putting his
hand gently upon his friends shout
der and trying TO read his thought ii
his clear gray eyes. "But how absurdi
OF course you cannot be a rival for
Miss Murdock's affections. since you
do not even know her"
NO." laughed sturgis. regaining his
composure, Il am not your rival. A to
the other point. while can hardly
slaim an acquaintance with tho young
lady, think saw her not nero than
. couple of hours ago" =
"A couple Of hours agol" e1slained
sprague; why, was with her myself
thea" = -. ~.
Il know that now. although was,
not aware of it at the time"
What, were you at the Murdocks' at