The Holbrook news., 1911-05-12

that she would prefer to-wait at the office.
 When Stafford looked out to cal the lady with the bad throat he diC not see the girl.
 Flora breathed a sigh of relief. She was not sure and she did not want tc look in his questioning face. 'Wher 1t comes mothers turn I'll wait on the landing for her." she thought.
 At that moment there was q sof, step on the landing, the outer dool opened and a small, pale man, witt preternaturally bright and luminous black eyes, came in and paused by Flora's chair. He addressed her in 2 quiet, even voice.
 T have jus. had a message from heaven to put an end to every doctor in the world. saw Dr. Stafford's sign and I have come up to kill him Is he in?"
 For an instant F1ora's heart stoot still. ''The doctor has not come yet she said, pleasantly, when it resumed its beating, 'but it will not be long 0AAIAA 1C COuuCb I1C HGuI IO tue COuA try, did he not, Lavinia?"
 Lavinia's dry lips opened stifiy "Yes'm, he's in the country" they faltered.
 "So you're going to kill him?" went on the girl quickly.
 ("Dear Lord-show me what to doI' ran her thoughts.)
 "Oh. won't that be fun. Tell us how you are going to do it?"
 Her forehead was wet with a colo precipitation, but she forced herself to smile at the lunatic.
 The man looked into her browr eyes with an answering smile. "I an going to shoot him."
 Wont you show me your revoI ver?" she breathed, laying one slen der, ice-cold hand persuasively on his arm.
 "Over by the window" she amend ed as he took small revolver out oi his pocket Tt is so dark here and want you to explain the workings oi 1t to me-"
 Obediently he followed her to the window. Their backs were to the other three, but Flora knew that hel mother lay in her chair in a swoon Would Rick Ashbrook or Lavinia man age to get help in time? Would they think to warn Dr. Stafford?
 The splitting of the fire in the stove was like thunder in her ears, but above it she heard the light tipping of. rubbered feet. She laughed to cover the sound.
 Women know so little about fire arms" she cried, merrily. Where is it you put the cartridges?" If Rob did open the door could she strike the thing that meant his death from the maniac's hands? O for the presence of the big man they had met on the stairs, or even William, theiI coachman, holding the horse below big stalwart black Militant
 After what seemed years she heard a doorknob turn. Her heart stood still, but it was the outer door and before she could turn her head the police of the town and three other big fellows were upon the lunatic and grappling with him, while the revol yer fell to the floor.
 The inner door opened hastily and the intended victim came out. With a little gasping cry Flora ran to him and flung her arms about his neck.
 You've had a narrow escape, Staf ford" one of the men volunteered moment later, when, the demented man safely shackled, the other start ed down the steps with him. "This crazy gentleman came up here to kill you, he said, and if the young lady hadn't had the presence of mind, after he told his business, to talk and en certain him while young Ashbrooh and your maid slipped down for us you'd have been a dead one the min ute you opened that door!"
 With a shudder Stafford frightened his hold about the girl clinging tc him and sobbing.
 70, Robi" she burst out, stormily He might have killed youI He might have killed youl"
 And you would have cared?" he murmured, his heart beating suffocat | ingly. Tt isn't fair to ask you, Flo, when you're so shaken, but I'd love to know if by this time you're sure you love me"
 70 Rob, I don't knowi" she cried | burying her wet face in his white of fee coat. But would have died il | you had been killed!"