The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1901-02-07
(Continued,)

e.
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.. Murdoch, 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 acquaintances was large. and
included not only the fashionable set,
but also a scientific, literary and art
chemist of national reputation, q
member of several scientific bodies,
and man of great intelligence and
broad culture.
On this particular New Years morn
ing DIR. Murdoch 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 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 elaboration of q 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 a choice cigar, leaned
back in his comfortable armchair and
placedly pulled the wreaths of fra
grant smoke ceilingward. He was APP
parently satisfied with the world and
with himself. this calm, passionless
man. And yet II 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
binary man; but which, in one given
so little to outward manifestation Of
feeling as DR.. Murdoch, might also
betoken more or less serious annoy
ance or displeasure.
While the chemist sat in this pen
sive attitude, there was "a rustic of
skirts outside, and presently there
came gentle knock at the door Of
the study.
'Come in" said Murdoch, removing
the cigar from his lips.
The door opened, admitting a tall
and beautiful young girl, evidently
not long out of her teens.
odd l disturb you, father?" she
asked, stepping lightly into the
room.
"No. Agnes" replied Murdoch,
courteously; "as you see, | am indulg-
ing in a period of dolce far niente."
The young girl laughed clear, sill
very laugh, as her eyes fell upon the
prize of newspapers.
eff the reading of "a dozen news
papers is dolce far niente, l should
think you would welcome hard work
as a pleasant change"
oh" replied her father, "the
work l 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 deal of skim
milk to yield little cream"
The last paper which Murdoch 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.
MYSTERIOUS ASSASSINATION OF AN
UNKNOWN MAN, IN BROAD
DAYLIGHT.
CABMAN REILLY DENIES ALL
KNOWLEDGE OF THE CRIME.
Miss Murdock's glance rested care
1essly upon these words for an in
slant They aroused in her nothing
more than the mild curiosity which
attaches to events of paIpitating hui
man interest, when they have been
CONCEALED in the columns of the daily
newspapers and served to palates al
ready stated with sensational YER
bosity.
'Mary said you wished to speak to
me-" said the young girl, after
short pause. Il thought | would step
in to see you before going to Mr..
Sprague's."
ITO Sprague's?' inquired Murdoch,
fixing his keen eyes upon the young
girl "Ah, yes; l remember he spoke
of the appointment last night. How
is the portrait coming on?"
at is almost finished. Probably
only one or two more sittings, at the
most, will be necessary"
Agnes seemed slightly embarrassed
by the fixity of her fathers search
ing glance. She settled herself in an
armchair and assumed look of defer
ent expectancy.
Not a word of affection had passed
between father and daughter; not
caress had been interchanged. The re-
lations between this impassive man and
his charming daughter were those OF
welI-bred, # somewhat distant, rela-
tives On the one hand there was the
uniform courtesy of the man of the
world toward woman; on the other,
the Difference of young girl of good
breedin. toward person much older
than herself. But the note of cordial
and intimate affection between father
and child was absolutely missing.
And yet Agnes Murdoch was natural
" of an affect;onate and expansive ma
ture Durinp her mOthe lifetime the