Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1902-01-03

-
utes he ,drankizin witt avidity the re-
vivifying draughts Of air which grad
uall brought him back from the brink
Of death. IL 81
With returning consciousness, the,
thought Of his dying friendrecurred to
him in all its vividness. He tried to
go to his assistance; but he was SICK
and faint. and his limbs were powerless
to respond to his will. Then, at last,
he was seized with utter despair and
gave up the struggle. ...#
He had sunk dejectedly upon the
:hair when faint and indistinct MUIR
muir, as of distant voices, beat upon his
ears, whose natural acuity seemed ex-
traordinarily increased by the long
nervous tension under which he had
been. The ruling passion is strong in
death; without knowing just why he
did SO, Sturgis found himself again at
the speaking-tube, endeavoring to hear
the conversation, the sound Of which
evidently came from Murdock's office.
He could barely distinguish word
here and there; but he recognized the
timber of one of the voices. 1t was the
chemists, and his interlocutor was
woman-perhapsh his daughter. If only
he could reach Agnes Murdoch with
some word or signal.
In suspense, he held his ear to the
mouthpiece, occasionally taking
breath of fresh air to renew his
strength.
Should he take the chances and shout
in the hope of catching the young
girls attention? If he whistled, Muir
dock would answer himself, and the
last chance would he lost. But would
she hear 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 a 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.
Il 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 a woman's voice.
Mr.. Sprague is in great danger.
You alone can save his life. If you
do at once as say. Go to the door
OF the extension; press upward 90
the lower hinge; then turn the knob!
Quick, before your father returns!'
Sturgis evoked the image of Muir
dock performing these operations be-
fore opening the door of the extent
sion; and, with retrospective intui.
ton. OWNED their purpose.
There was no answer. Sturgis wait
! ed for none. In q 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
! ch r.: -
! inanimate form and had rushed to his
assistance.
Suddenly a shadow fell across tho
threshold of the open door. Sturgis
looked up in quick apprehension.
| 1t was Murdoch.
lie stood critically observing the
scene, with all outward appearance Of
| calmness.
Agnes had not seen him. She was
making desperate efforts to raise
:'prague's limp form; but felt herself
succumbing to the effects of the gas.
MY darling! my poor da1liug!" 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, he
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 a chair.
Having deposited his burden upon
: tkc Accr, Mrrdccll closed the door of
the death chamber; turned valve
which was near his desk; opened the
windows wide, and revolved crank
which projected from the wall near
the door of the extension.