Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-12-09

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ceased crying to stare with ecstatic
and enchanted admiration at the Pc
liceman's buttons and fierce whiskers
left the station.
Five minutes after he was gone with
his little burden of adoption. man
rushed in and with clinched hands and
white face confronted the inspector
The man was dressed like a re-
spectacle mechanic, was young, rather
good looking, and quite sober.
/ He paused for moment. as if to
gain breath, then n voice which
sounded harsh and unnatural as if sub
dued by a great effort, said
"Where is she"
''Who?' asked the inspector, eying
the intruder with official GOODNESS.
''The-the woman, the dead wo-
mani said the man, his voice broken
and sDasmodic.
The inspector jerked his thumb
over his shoulder.
''In the dead "oom, my man. Do you
want to see her?"
The man motioned with his hand.
Jones" said the inspector, Jones,
Where are you? Here, I'll go myself, :"
and taking a key from a peg he led
the way to the dead room.
A small gas jet threw a sickly light
upon plain table with its still and
/ ghostly burden.
The man pushed the inspector aside
| with trarnh1ino hand roovyo1 +bo o1o4h
from the quiet, peaceful face, and
gazed, with a face that was scarcely
less white and set, down upon it.
A silence fell, SO intense that the
clock in the front office could be heard
ticking like human voice; then, with
terrific suddenness the mans passion
burst forth.
He grasped the inspectors arm, and
glancing wildly at him, pointed to the
| dead woman.
Look, that is murder! You hear me
That is murder! Look how she lies
so quiet and calm, as if she'd died in
| her sleep! But she didn't; she was
| murdered! COnfound him for a wolf
and f1end, whoever he is. He's killed
her-killed the gentlest, sweetest
hearted girl that ever drew breath. Oh
Heaven pursue him, wherever he is
| for a brute and a murderer, and bring
him to the gallOws! Lucy, Lucy! Don't
die! don't die. or I shall go mad!
Don't die till you tell me who did it
Or I shall kill myself"
He threw himself down beside the
plain table, and clutched the over
hanging sheet in a paroxysm of de
pair and rage.
The inspector laid bis hand upon
his shoulder
Come, come, my good man; don't
take on so. She's dead, you can see
that. Don't get into such a state about
it. Did you know herr"
Know herr" retorted the man. turn
ing his wild eyes upon the inspector.
Know her, man? loved her! Loved
her better than mother father, or any
thing in the world beside. Know her
I'd given my life fifty times over to
a saved her from a moments pain
Oh, Lucy. Lucy and overcome by
grief he bowed his face again and
grOaned aloud.
"Your sweetheart?" said the inspec-
tor.
He made a gesture with his bent
head in token of assent.
The inspector coughed behind his
hand. He knew the story at once IT'S
the old, old one; a fiend in angels
shape, and frail humanity's fall.
What was her name?" he asked.
The man rose suddenly, Gained and
nerved by the question.
What is that to your" he asked,
with low, angry voice. ASK her;
if she can't tell you, l won't. Dye
think she hid her shame all these
years for me to below it to the world
now? No! she's dead, and past say
ing, but her names good yet. We poor /
folks think a good deal O. that, and |
she shall keep it. Don't ask me no
questions; I sha'n't answer them"
He picked up his cap from the I
floor, and, holding it pressed to his
painting breast. took step toward the |
door, his white face still turned to the
dead woman.
The Inspector remained silent for a |
moment. then as he covered the still |
face again, he said, quietly:
There Il be an inquest, young man; /
you'll have to attend as witness, if !
you know anything OF the deceased |
or how she came to her death: it'll be /
exposure to cold and insufficient nour- /
ishment,' I'm thinking, for all your I
murder"
The man had reached the door, but |
turned again rs flashing eyes, his I
hand with the cap in it extended to-
ward heaven.
Call it what you like" he said, Its
murder all the same; you can kin /
poison, or pistol, Or a knife; I
You can kill by shame and misery an /
neglect. an that's how he killed her. /
He led her to ruin with false speeches |.
and wicked falsehoods, and he left her /
to die O. hunger and cold in the /
street. You call it exposure-you T
brings in a verdict to suit your feel |
ings: call it murder. an Heaven |
calls it murder, too!'
Then he thrust the cap upon his
head and staggered out.
The Inspector, used to the eXhibi- +
ton of passion and grief gravely low
cred the gas relocned the door. and /
seated himself in the front office ready |