The Monticellonian., 1903-11-05
Dr.. Ranelagh's
 Crime By COLONEL PRENTlSS INGRAHAM
Copyright, 1905, by Daily Story Pub. coJ

THE little village of H., in north
 western Massachusetts, had but one physician, Dr. Henry Rane- 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 seV- 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 number of cases which had been | judicially adjudged to be those of | habitual drunkenness.
 Among those who feeling their | weakness, had voluntarily placed them | selves under pr. Henry's treatment was Schuyler Brant, the son of we'll to-do farmer. The case was one Of in herited tendencies and proved to be 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 traetable 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 ry, 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 yeti" said the good people of H. to themselves when they would see Brant by her side on the Sabbath morning.
 AOof was it that he gave a start of disap- continent upon entering his office one evening in October to find Mary wait ing for him.
 The day had been cold and cheerless. and it had been threatening rain. It must be something serious that would bring Mary over to see him OH such an evening" Yes. Brant had been on three days drunk. and Mary's spirit was sore oppressed.
 "Oh. Dr Henry" she sobbed, What shall I do? Tomorrow will be Sun day I must get him home. You will help me, won't you?"
 "Yes. yes. Mary; of course willy" exclaimed Ranelagh in his bluff but kindest tones. as he busted himself taking off his coat and putting his things away.
 Then Ire faced about and for the first time caught a good look at that sweet face upturned to him so pleadingly.
 Mary was a far more than common well-fayored woman. but now her grief her despair. her tortured soul imparted into her beauty beauty that sent 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 T the words stuck m his throat some 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 20 years such wave of emotion had not swept across his heart. He realized that he was standing there too long. stroking and betting that fair head. and yet he could not break away from the delicious spell its soft and sifken feel put upon him.
 Mary herself took alarm, and half rising and eoforing deeply, s3fe drew back.
 Then you will try to find Schuyler for me. Doctor Henry?" she queried in voice shaking with a sudden and new dread, for her woman's instinct had told her what was going on in Ranelagh's soul.
 "Yes will" almost gasped Rane- iagh. and then. suddenly losing control of himself, he threw his arms around her and drew her towards him in an embrace strong as steel and aglow with passionate intensity.
 Mary. oh. beautiful Nary" he bluDed out, Why do you cling to this brute? Abandon him. I love you, l worship you! I'll be all the world to you!"
 With sinothered cry of rage Mary tore herself out of Ranelagh's arms. and then, with flashing eye. stroye to back away from him. But her feet struck the edge of a heavy rug. and ere Raneiagh could stretch out hand to prevent she fell heavily backward striking her head on the massive brass fender encirclng the hearth.
 A low moan escaped her lips. but she never moved.
 | "NIv Godt I have killed hort" whiS-