The Leon reporter., 1901-03-07

blue eyes,
That she was dead was the frs.
muttered thought of both Gervis and
Leila.
mo! 'Tain't DEATH" quickly sait
old Barnes, glancing at their white
faces. See ye, Mr.. Gervis, there's &
row Of air-holes down each side O. the
chest. saw 'em made myself in the
old squire's time, purpose-.ike, in cas5
O. this verv kind O. thing that's hap.
pened now!"
But Gervis was not listening. He
and others who had rushed to the gal.
lery were carefully lifting the small
stiffened folm. A mounted groom had
already been dispatched for a doctor
"E4t something must be done at
once" said Gervis as they laid the
unconscious girl en- an Indian rug on
the polished floor of the gallery.
Somebody was trying to for e brandy
through the marble white lips.
Not a drop will go down. Wha,
are we to do until the doctor comes?
piteously cried Leila. who, kneelng
down, had slipped her arm under the
little sunny-brown head
Fetch Mr.. Ansdell!" commanded
Gervis, with sudden inspiration.
Surely the American could give some
help in the pressing emergency, other
WISE what was the value of his So
called scientific reputation?
Mr. Ansdell Everybody then re-
membered that, oddly enough, the sci
enlist had not been. once seen during
the hours of anxious search. 1t was
curious, to say the least of it. And
still more curious did it appear that
no Mr.. Ansdell hurried to the gallery
In answer to the summons.
Never mind, here's young Doctor
Goring himself, which is BETTER" ejac-
ulated Lady Jane, who had struggled
upstairs more dead than alive from
sheer fright, and looked on helplessly
It's a trance!" at last pronounced
the doctor, young man, with all the
latest medical and scientific theories
at rs finger-ends. She has been
by. 3 'tized! Who has done this mis-
chief?"
He stood up and glanced round upon
the awe-struck group sternly
There was no answer, and Doctor
Goring went on wrathfully:
Somebody has got to answer for
this nights work! The poor young
lady has been brought to deaths door
evidently, by some vile experiment
Now, then, clear out of this every one
of you! Excuse my bluntness, Lady
Jane, but this is not a moment for DO.
lite speech. I've got life to win back
If | can, and l can't have a crowC
round me. Your ladyship can remain
and, yes, must have Miss Desmond
if I've anybody"
One by one the spectators departed
from the gallery, and the young med
ical enthusiast set to work, with thu
result that in quarter of an houI
GLADLY feebly opened her lips ant
spoke.
Il want Leila was the whisper
And when she saw that it was Leila
herself who was supporting her heae
the brides round eyes closed content
edly
"she will sleep now. We must carr,
her to her bed,' said Doctor Goring
we'll satisfied.
You are wanted, sir, at once" came
an urgent whisper; while Gervis, lift
ing his wife in his arms, carried hel
away.
What! another case?" The doctor
wheeled around, and he was silently
beckoned to the quarter of the house
known as the bachelors wing.
Lying back in his chair in front OF
a writing table, and grasping folded
paper, was dead man.
The room was in perfect order. There
had been no assault, no murder, nc
suicide, SO far as one could Judge at
the moment.
But that death had entered the half
open stare of the black eyes, the
| dropped jaw, and the marble hue of
the long, lean fingers gripping the
sheet of paper spoke all too clearly.
Little wonder that Paul Ansdell had
| failed to join in the search for the
missing bride, failed to obey the sum
mons for his helpful skill.
He has been dead quite a couple
of hours" said Doctor Goring gravely,
secretly wondering what would be the
outcome of this double tragedy.
you must keep this business from
the ladies as long as you can," he said,
turning to Gervis, who had been hast
lily sent for. There must be an in
quest, of course; and, meantime, |
should take possession of that folded
paper. See, I've managed not to tear
it. You'd best lock it away until you
hand it to the coroner, Mr.. Temple
ton."
Why" gasped Gervis, as he caught
sight Of the close, upright handwrit-
ing, my wife wrote that What vii
lalny is this? See here!"
1T was the last will and testament
of Gladys Templeton, and, in correct
legal form it assigned everything the
testator possessed to Paul Ansdell of
Montreal, revoking all former wills and
codicils. The document was duly
signed, and the signatures and ad-
dresses OF two Americans We're append
ed
Not flaw was there from beginning
to end of the deed
You hold the key that unlocks the
whole of this nights mystery" briefly
said The young doctor. This unfortu-
|