Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-07-27

door was being reOpened, John
WhyIey pulled himself together, and
cleared his throat.
Don't be alarmed, Miss" he said,
rs be stood in the large blank hall,
and rubbed his shoes upon a very old
mat. 'I don't like soaring you but its
better 70 make sure than TO let any
thing go wrong That's partly, you
see, Miss, what we're for"
Yes, yes; but come at once to the
surgery"
zone minute, Miss" said the con-
stable. examining carefully the hand
some frightend face, and noting that
its owner was tall, graceful, rather
dark. and about three or four and
twenty. while though her hair was in
disorder as IL from lying down, the
lady was fully dressed.
What do you want?" she said, with
the wild look in her eyes intensifying.
To do everything in order, Miss.
First, who lives here?"
MY father, DR.. Charley"
Who else on the premises?"
The servant-girl. Our boy. My
brother, a medical student, lives here,
but he has not yet returned. He Is
at a friends house, little party"
And you've had a party here,
Miss?" .aFtdm
"Oh, no; we never have company"
"Thatu do, Miss. Now for the
surgery. One moment: your name,
please?"
Richmond Charley"
"Thatu do. Rum name" he NUT
tered: and following the lady, who led
the way with a chamber candlesticK
in past the open door of a gloomy
looking dining-room, constable John
WhyIey found himself at the end OF a
passage to the left, in front of half
glass door, whose panes were covered
on the other side by a thick dark
blind.
MY fathers surgery" said the lady
I'm answer 70 an inquiring look.
The constable nodded, and tried the
door twice before kneeling down and
holding his light to the key-hole.
key IN" he said grufiy, locked in
side. Who's likely 10 be here?"
Ny father. He always sits in the
consulting-rOOm beyond ar night
studying"
Another short nod, and the con-
stable raped loudly.
No response.
He raped again. with the same re-
suit Then he drew a lLng breath, and
the man showed that he possessed
feeling as well as decision.
Il don't want 10 alarm you. Miss, but
I ought 90 force open this door"
But you do alarm me. man. Yes,
you are right. No. let me come"
She raped smartly on the door.
Father. Father. Are you here?"
SIu 10 reply: and she drew back,
looking wildly in the constable's eyes,
while her hands seemed as if drawn
together 10 clasp each other and check
the nervous trembling and be of
mutual support.
Yes" she said, force it open.
stop. break one Of the panes."
The constable leaned his shoulder
against the pane nearest the lock, and
there was a sharp cracking noise,
tho sDliuteved glass being caught by
the blind inside; but as the man thrust
his hand through the great hole ne had
made. 10 draw the blind on one side, a
fragment or two fell, making a
z-.z.c2l Thrilling.
The mans -eAt act was 20 take his
lantern from his belt, and pass it
through. directing he light in ali
directions. rs he pee-ed through the
riass above. ard then he withdrew
the light with a low ~Ha."
What can you seer"
Hold hard. please. Miss. AMI keep
back. This isn't ladies' work. want
some help here"
Then something has happened?"
We'll Miss. seeing what ! did see
tonight. L may &c nothing verse than
a drop too much, but it looks ugly"
Who is il? sIy father?"
Cant say, Miss. Elderly gent with
bald head"
oh. what you say is possible!
Quick, burst open the door"
The constable placed his shoulder
TO the door. but drew back with an
angry gesture.
"Of c0urse." he muttered, and
thrusting his arm through, he reached
the lock, turned the key, and then
swung open with a dismal creak
Now. Miss, I'll see first, and come
back and tell you"
Man. DO you think am a child?"
was the sharp reply; and rushing by
him. the speaker passed into the room,
and went down upon her knees direct
IN beside a figure in a shabby old
dressingg0wn, lying face downward
on the floor.
Us he"
Quick. turn on that gas"
The constable took a step 10 obey,
and kicked against something which
ratified as il few forward. and struck
the wainscot beard. while the next mo-
ment a dim. blue spark OF light in a
gr0uud-glass burst into a flame, and lit