The Forrest City times., 1903-11-06
DR.. Ranelagh's
Crime
By COLONEL PRENTlSS INGRAHAM
Copyright. 1908, By Daily Story Pub. Coz

lagh, and it hardly needed him.
for the town was well-drained. the
people led natural lives, and, except in
rare cases. died of old age.
DR.. Henry. as he was usually called,
had never married, and in company
with his maiden sister Hetty occupied
the "Ranelagh place." fine specimen
of colonial architecture. His practice
left him plenty of time on his hands,
and he had made good use of it in pur-
suing original Investigations in sew
eral lines Of science.
His published papers on 'Dipsomania
Its Causes and Cures" had attracted
not little attention. and at the request
of the county authorities he had treat
ed a number of cases which had been
tudieially adjudged to be those of
habtual drunkenness.
Among those who, feeling their
weakness. had voluntarily placed them
selves under DR.. Henry's treatment
was Schuyler Brant. the son of we'll
TODD farmer The case was one Of in
herited tendencies and proved to be q
most obstinate one What made it
particularly interesting to Ranelagh
was the fact that the malign potency
had lain dormant for two generations
Both Schuyler's father. and grand
father had been men of most tractable
and self-contained characters.
When under the influence of liquor.
however, Brant invariably remained
harmless and good-natured. so the
people of H rather pitied than CEN
sured him.
DR.. Ranelagh had urged him to mar
~, and his choice had fallen upon
Mary Kent. most exemplary young
woman. as gentle and kindly as she
was fair to look upon. She knew what
she was taking upon herself when she
became Brant's wife and, though often
weary in body and mind. she never
cried out in actual despair
Mary will save him yet" said the
good people of H tc themselves wher
they would see Brant by her side on
the Sabbath morning
DR.. Henry thought so too. and hence
was it that he gave a start of disap-
polntment upon entering his office one
evening in October 10 find Mary wait
ing for him
T e day had been cold and cherries
and it had been threatening rain. It
must be something serious that would
bring Mary over TO see him on such an
evening. Yes Brant had been on a
three days drunk. and Marys spirit
was sore oppressed.
'Oh. DR.. Henry" she sobbed What
shall l do? Tomorrow will be Sun
day l must get him home. You will
help me, won't YOU"
eyes, yes. Mary; of course wil1,"
exclaimed Ranelagh in his bluff but
kindest tones, as he busted himself
taking off his coat and putting his
things away.
Then ne faced about and for the first
time caught good look at that sweet
face npturned to him SO pleadingly.
Mary was far more than common
well-favored woman. but now her
grief. her despair, her tortured soul
impaired into her beauty beauty
that sent a strange thrill through
Ranelagh's body.
He trembled. and he thought he had
mastered it as he approached the wife
of Schuyler Brant and laid his hand
on her head and began to stroke her
hair
Don't cry, Mary, don't cry," he
said, and he tried to say it in his old
time free and careless manner. But
IN q
way. And then he tried TO draw away
from her. but could not Her thick
wavy hair felt so strangely soft and
pleasant to his touch
For 90 years such a wave of emotion
had not swept across his heart He
realized that he was standing there too
long, stroking and petting that fair
head, and yet he could not break
away from the delicious spell its soft
end silken feel put upon him.
Mary herself took alarm, and half
rising and coloring deeply, she drew
back.
Then you will try 10 find Schuyler
Tor me, Doctor Henry" she queried in
voice shaking with a sudden and
NiS-tb, iOi llNi WOillin li4StlhNl
had told her what was going on in
Ranelaghs soul
Yes | will" almost gasped Rane-
lagh, and then, suddenly losing control
OF himself. he threw mis- arms around
her and drew her towards him in an
embrace strong as steel and aglow with
passionate intensity.
Mary, oh, beautiful Mary" he
hlurted out, why do you cling to this
brute? Abandon him, love you, I
worship you! I'll be all the world to
YOU"
With siaothered cry Of rage Mary
tore herself out of Ranelaghs arms.
and then. with flashing eye. strove to
back away from him. But her feet
Struck the edge of a heavy rug. and
ere Raneiagh could stretch out a hand
20 prevent she fell heavily backward.
striking her head on the massive brass
'ender encircling the hearth
My God. l have killed her." whis-
pered Ranelagh. as he sprana forward
20 lift the outstretched form A mo-