The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-03-01

Of keeping with the sensuous curves of
| her strange. sweet face, But the ques-
ton remained incomplete. as well as
unanswered. for at that momentssh her
attention, as we'll as that of the men
| lingering at the gate. was attracted
by the sound of hurrying feet and con-
| fused cries coming up the hill.
Murder. murder!s'a was the word
\ painted out by more than one harsh,
voice. and in another instant dozen
| men and boys came rushing into sight
4 in state of such excitement that the,
nve musicians feco1red from the gate,
and one Of them went so far as to start
back toward the house. AS he did SO
he noticed a curious thing. The young
woman whomgIhey had all perceived
| standing in the door a moment before
had vanished, yet she was known to
profess the keenest curiosity 6f any
| one in town.
Murder, murder!' A terrible and
unprecedented cry in this old, God
| fearing town. Then came in hoarse
! explanation from the jostling group
as they stopped at the gate. Mrs.
(. Webb has been killed! Stabbed with
asknife! Tell MI. Sutherlandy'
Mrs. Webb!"
AS the musicians heard this, name, SO
|shonored and SO universally beloved,
| they to man uttered a cry, Mrs.
Webb! Why, 1t was u impossible.
Shouting in their turn for Mr.. Suther-
land, they all crowded forward.
Not Mrs. Mebby' they protested.
who could have the daring. or the
heart to kill her?" God knows" an
sWered a voice from the highway. "But
she's dead-we've just seen herr
Then it's the old mans work." qua
vered q piping voice well known as
that of the village shoemaker's. I've
always said he would turn on his best
friend some day. 'Sylu1n's the best
place for folks as has lost their wits.
I"-
But here hand was put over his
mouth and the rest OF. thewords be-
came-an harticulater gurgle. Mr.. Suth-
erland had just appeared on the porch,
| and these were not men to let their
voices be heard in his presence
He was 2 superb looking man. with
an expression of mingled kindness and
dignity that invariably awakened both
awe and admiration in the spectator
No man in the country--I was going to
say no woman-was more beloved, nor
was any held in higher esteem. Yet he
could not control his only son, as every
one. within ten miles Of the hill we'll
knew
At this moment his face showed both
pain and shock. ssfsf 4aF
| What name are you shouting out
there" he brokenly demanded. Sag.
atha Webb 4
rs Agatha Webb. hurt?' 4
Yes. sir; killed." repeated half
dozen voices at once. We've Just
come from the house. All the town is
up. Some say her husband did it,, \.
NO fro!" was Mr. Sutherland's de-
cisive. though half inaudible response.
Philemon Webb might end his own
Fife. but not Agatha's, It was; the
money h ls n III 'ss':'iz ~
l Here he caught himself up, and, rails
ing his voice, addressed the crowd Of
AtAo6SAS Auohe I'll - =. 4
Wait" said he and viii go back
with you. Where. is Frederick he
demanded Of such members Of his own
household as stood about him.
No one knew. @
Il wish some one would find my
son. want him to go into town with
me-"
Hes over in the woods there" vol
unteered voice from without.
In the woods repeated the father
in surprised tone.
| yes. Sir; we all saw him go. Shall
we sing out to him?" .&
| mo, no; l will manage very well
without him. And taking up his hat
Mi. Sutherland stepped out again upon
the porch. 89s1
Suddenly he stopped. A hand had
been laid on his arm and an insinuat-
| ing voice was murmuring in his ear:
DO you mind If l go with you? l
will not make any trouble"
1t was thelsame young lady we have
seen before.
The old gentleman frowned, he who
never frowned, and remarked shortly:
"A scene of murder is no place for
women"
The face upturned to his remained
unmoved.
II think will CO." she quickly per-
sisted. II can easily mingle with the
crowd"
He said not another word against it.
Miss Page was under pay in his house,
but for the last few weeks no one had
undertaken to contradict her. In the
interval since her first appearance on
the porch she had exchanged the light
dress in which she had danced at the
ball for darker and much more sery-
iceable one, and perhaps this token of