The Winslow mail., 1901-01-10
CHAPTER VII.
AGNES MURDOCH


encroachments of trade, there still
stand few old-fashioned houses. the
sole survivors of what was once an
aristocratic settlement.
One by one their fellows have been
sapped and swept away by the resist
less tide of commerce, until these an
clent dwellings, stubbornly contest
ing a position already lost, now rear
their sepulchral brownstone fronts in
stiff and solitary grandeur-huge sar-
cophagi in busy mart
One of these houses stands well
back from the street line, the tradi-
tional backyard of the ordinary New
York dwelling having been sacri-
iced, in this instance, to make room
for tiny garden, which is separated
from the street by tall spiked iron
railing, behind which grows an ar
Dor vitae hedge. The former serves
as defense against the marauding
of the irrepressible metropolitan
gamin; while the latter confers upon
the occupants of the garden a sem.
blance of protection from the Gu.
rious gaze of the passers-by.
This property, having been the sub
| Ject of an interminable lawsuit, had
remained for many years unoccupied,
and was even now beginning to be re-
garded by some of the neighbors as
haunted, when at last it was bought
by DR.. Murdock, a wealthy widower
with an only daughter. For some
months masons and carpenters were
at work; and then, one day, the new
occupants entered into possession.
The Murdocks lived quietly but lux
uriously, like people accustomed to
wealth. They had their horses and
carriages, their house at Lenox and at
Newport, and their yacht. Their cir
Gle of acquaintance was large, and
included not only the fashionable set,
but also a scientific, literary and art
istic set For DR. Murdock was
chemist of national reputation, a
member of several scientific bodies,
and a man of great intelligence and
broad culture.
On this particular New Years morn
ing DR.. Murdock was seated in his
study, apparently absorbed in read
ing the daily papers, pile of which
lay upon his table. His occupation
might perhaps more accurately be de-
scribed as skimming the daily papers;
for each journal in turn was subject
ed to a rapid scrutiny, and only few
columns seemed occasionally to inter-
est the reader
There was no haste visible in the
doctors actions, each one of which
appeared to be performed with the
GOODNESS and deliberation of a man
who is not the slave of time; and yet,
so systematic were they, that, all lost
motion being avoided, every operation
was rapidly completed.
In a short time the pile of newspa-
pers had been disposed of, and the
doctor, lighting choice cigar, leaned
back in his comfortable armchair and
placedly puffed the wreaths of fra
grant smoke ceilingward. He was ap-
parently satisfied with the world and
with himself, this calm, passionless
man. And yet sharp observer would
have noted an almost imperceptible
furrow between the eyes, which might
perhaps have indicated only the
healthy mental activity of an or
dinary man; but which, in one given
so little to outward manifestation of
feeling as DR.. Murdock, might also
betoken more or less serious annoy
ance or displeasure.
While the chemist sat in this pen
sive attitude, there was rustic of
skirts outside, and presently there
came gentle knock at the door of
the study.
"Come I'M" said Murdock, removing
the cigar from his lips.
The door opened, admitting tall
and beautiful young girl, evidently
not long out of her teens.
Did I disturb you, father?" she
asked, stepping lightly into the
room.
'No, Agnes" replied Murdock,
courteously; "as you see, 1 am indulg-
ing in period of dolce far niente"
The young girl laughed a clear, sill
very laugh, as her eyes fell upon the
pile of newspapers.
eff the reading of a dozen news
papers is dolce far niente, I should
think you would welcome hard work
as a pleasant change
"Oh!" replied her father, "the
work 1 have done on those has not
amounted to much. | have only
been cleaning the news from the
morning papers.
"Yes," he added, answering her sur
prised look, sit takes a deal of skim
milk to yield little cream"
The last paper which Murdock had
been examining lay upon the desk be-
fore him. From the closely printed
columns stood out in bold relief the
glaring headlines:
MURDER IN A CAB