The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-07-19

uefc - lue DfONknom cemlEg round the
corner. Quick, watson-quick. or we
are donew
He sprang through a gate into a field,
dragging the reluctant pompey after
him. We had hardly got under the
J shelter Of the hedge when the carriage
ratified past caught a glimpse OF
DR.. Armstrong within, bis should ers
bowed. his head sunk on his hands. the
very image Of distress. could tell by
my companions grnver face that he
also had seen.
Il fear there is some dark ending to
our quest" said he. "It cannot be long
before we know II. Come. Pompey
All, It is the cottage in the feldr
There could be no doubt that we had
reached the end Of our journey. Pom
pey ran about and whined eagerly out.
side the gate, where the marks OF the
brougbam's wheels were stil 10 be
seen. A footpath led across to the lone
ly cottage. Holmes tied the dog to the
hedge, and we hastened onward. NV
friend Knocked at the little rusty door
ana knocked again without response
Aud yet the cottage was not deserted
for low sound came TO our ears-a
kind Of drone OF misery and despair
which was indescribably melancholy.
Holmes paused irresolute, and then he
glanced back at the road which be had
just trayersed. A brougham was com
ing down it. and there could be no mis-
taking those gray horses.
"By Jove the doctor Is coming backr
cried Holmes. THAT settles IL. We are
bound to see what il means before he
comes"
He opened the door, and we stepped
into the hall. The droning sound swell
ed louder upon our ears until Il became
one long, deep wall OF distress. 1t cume
from upstairs. Holmes darted up, and
| followed him. He pushed open
half closed door, and we both sfOod ap.
palled at the sight before us.
A woman, young and beautiful, was
lying dead upon the bed. Her calm,
pale face. with dim. wide opened blue
eyes, looked upwdfd from amid a great
tangle of golden hair AT the foot OF
the bed, half sitting half kneeling, his
face buried in the clothes was young
man, whose frame was racked by his
sobs. SO absorbed was he by his bitter
grief that he never looked up until
Holmes hand was on his shoulder.
"Ars you dr. Godfrey StauntOnT
Yes yes, | am-but you are too late
She is dead"
The man was so dazed that he could
not be made to understand that we
were anything but doctors who had
been sent 10 his assistance. Holmes
was endeavoring TO utter n few words
OF consolation and 10 explain the alarm
which had been caused TO his friends
by his sudden disappearance when
there was step upon the stairs, and
there was the heavy stern, question
ing face Of DR.. Armstrong at the door.
80, gentlemen" said he, "you have
attained your end and have certainly
chosen particularly delicate moment
for your intrusion. would not brawl
In THE presence Of death, bit can as
sure you that II were younger man
your monstrous conduct would not
pass with impunjty."
Excuse me. DR. Armstrong, / think
we are little at cross purposes" said
my friend. with dignity. "If you
could step downstairs with us we may
each be able TO give some light to the
other upon this miserable affair"
A minute later the grim doctor and
ourselves we're In the sitting room be-
low.
Il wish you to understand. I'm the
first place. that am not employed by
Lord Mount-James and that my sym
pathles in this matter are entirely
against that nObleman. When a man
Is lost Il rs my duty to ascertain his
fate, but having done so the matter
ends so far as l am concerned. and so
long as there is nothing criminal am
much more anxious to hush up private
scandals than TO give them publicity.
If, as l imagine, there Is no breach OF
the law in this matter. you can abso-
lutely depend upon my discretion and
my cooperation in leeping the facts
ont of the papers"
DIR. Armstrong took a quick step for
ward and wrung Holmes by the hand.
You are a good fellow" said he. Il
had misjudged you ! thank heaven
that my conjunction at leaving poor
Staunton all alone in this plight caused
me to turn my carriage back and so TO
make your acquaintance. Knowing as
much as you do, the situation is very
easily explained. A year ago Godfrey
stAunton lodged in London for time
and became passionately attached to
his landlady's daughter. whom he mar
rled She was as good as she was
beautiful and as intelligent as she was
good. No man need be ashamed OF
such a wife, But Godfrey was the heir
TO this grabbed old nobleman. and II
was quite certain that the news OF his
marriage would have been the end OF
his inheritance. / knew the Lad well,
and / loved him for his many excellent
qualities We did our very best 10
keep the thing from every one, for
when once such a whisper gets about Il
Is not long before every one has heard
IT, Thanks TO this lonely cottage and
his own discretion, Godfrey has up 10
now succeeded, Their secret was
known 20 no one save TO me and 20
one excellent servant, who has at pres
ent gone for assistance 10 Trumping
ton But at last nIere came a terrible
blow in the shape Of dangerous illneas
TO L.g vic. X was consumption Of the
most virulent kind. The poor boy was
half crazed with grief, aud yet he had
30 go 70 London 10 play this match. for
he could not get out Of IL without ex-