The stayer. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1896-1903, 1902-03-13

last chance would be lost. But would
she hear n shout ? And, if she did. would
not her father prevent her from render
ing any assistance? Yet what other
chance was there? Poor Sprague was
dying; perhaps already dead. There
was no time to lose.
He stood for awhile irresolute, and
had just made up his mind to risk all
on bold move, when suddenly MUIR
docks voice became more distinct. as if
he were passing near the mouth-piece
OF the speaking-tube at the other end.
81 shall be back directly"
He was going then. Agnes. If it
were she, would remain alone for at
least an instant; and in that instant
lay possible salvation.
The reporter strained every nerve
TO catch some other word. None
came. But presently he heard door
close. Murdoch had left the room.
Now or never was the chance to act.
With all his might he blew repeated
ly into the tube.
''Well?"
The question came in the sweet
tones of woman's voice.
Mr.. Sprague is in great danger.
You alone can save his life. if you
do at once as l say. Go to the door
Of the extensions; press upward on
the lower hinge; then turn the knobl
Quick. before your father returns!"
Sturgis evoked the image of Muir
dock performing these operations be-
fore opening the door of the extern
sion; and. with retrospective intui.
ton. OWNED their purpose.
There was no answer. Sturgis wait
ed for none. In bound he was at
his friends side and was struggling
TO drag him toward the foot of the
stairs AS he reached this point, the
door opened and revealed Agnes Muir.
dock, pale and frightened, on the
landing at the top.
The first rush Of gas caused her
to start back; but in another instant
she had caught sight of her lovers
inanimate form and had rushed to his
assistance.
Suddenly shadow fell across the
threshold of the open door. Sturgis
looked up in quick apprehension.
1t was Murdoch.
He stood critically observing the
scene, with all outward appearance Of
calmness.
Agnes had not seen him. She was
making desperate efforts to raise
Sprague's limp form; but felt herself
succumbing to the effects of the gas.
my darling! my poor darling!" she
exclaimed and suddenly she stag
gered and lurched forward.
Sturgis made an instructive effort to
support her; but before he could
reach her Murdoch was at her side
and had her in his arms. He bore
her gently up the stairs and into his
study. Then, for an instant, no
seemed to hesitate. The reporter ex-
pected to see him close the door. In
stinctively his hand reached back to .
his hip pocket for his revolver. But,
in another moment, Murdoch had re-
turned to where he stood.
Come" he said.
At the same time he lifted the artist /
in his arms and carried him up the
stairs. Sturgis followed unsteadily
and reached the study, only to fall
exhausted into chair.
Having deposited his burden upon
the floor, Murdoch closed the door Of
the death chamber; turned a valve
which was near his desk; opened the
wide, and revolved a crank
which projected from the wall near
the door of the extension.
HE is shutting off the gas and
opening the steel shutters of the sky,
light" thought Sturgis.
Then the chemist produced flask
and poured out a small quantity OF
brandy, which he forced his daughter
% swallow.
AS soon as she was sufficiently re-
lived, she rushed TO the side of her
over, whose head she gently raised TO
Ter lap. Murdocks eyes were fas-
ened upon her. She met his calm
questioning gaze.
Yes, | love him." she said, simply.
Then this strange man, without an
'ther word. gently pushed his daugh-
er to one side and. throwing off his
oat, stopped over the PROSTATE form
# the man whose life he had tried to
axe, and industriously worked over
lin, in an attempt to restore the fail
ng respiration.
Slowly and steadily he worked for
What seemed an eternity to the anx-
Gus girl. At length he rose, calm and
objected as usual. and drew on his
oat again.
HE is out of danger now" he said,
you can do the rest yourself"
And he handed his daughter the
randy flask.
faint tinge of color had returned
o the artists face; his breast heaved
emily in an irregular respiration.
Sturgis, still unable TO stir from the
hair in which he had fallen, was
aguely conscious of Murdock's move
nents. He saw the chemist open the
az stood near his table and
a. Npumerous bundles of
r. Ne carefully packed