Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, July 18, 1896, Page 2

——4 KS ESERGEERAIE SIS ATK AS ALAS == THE += Professor’s Secret. § CHAPTER XIX. A Call From the Constable. Dr. Williams’ wan face was more marked by contempt than curiosity as he followed Philbrick and the profes- sor to the door of the “shop.” Phil- brick for once was silent, but he evinced about as much interest in th. proceedings as if the professor were about to show him a rare edition of the “Inferno” or a collection of ancient coins. “The only man besides me who knew how to worqg this lock.” said the professor, with his hand upon the knob, “was poor Starkweather.” He pushed the door open and stood aside for the others to enter. They stepped into a room that, were it in any but a private house. would have been in nowise remarkable to the casual observer. It was, indeed, a shop, a very paradise foi a mechanic. One might have thought that a por- tion of a machine factory had been taken up and set down at Fairview. The room was of moderate size, not larger, certainly, than the professor's dining room. “This was formerly two rooms,” he explained, pointing to the ceiling. “1 had the partition taken down.” The visitors looked up end saw the marks of joists in a line upon the ceil- ing. The professor closed the door, and waited for remarks or questions. Aguinst the opposite wall was a work bench, with vises, cutting machines, edged tools, lathes, ete. At one side was a great structure, apparently un- completed that looked like a loom of some kind, with a row of sharp-point- ed spikes to keep gigantic threads apart. On the floor were electro-plat- ing tarks, an electric motor, a battery and a considerable number of contri- vances and articles the use of which was not at first plain to the uniniti- ated. “I do not pretend to say, gentlemen,” remarked the professor, after waiting a bit, “that this room is in exactly the same condition as it was on the day of Starkweather’s death. The position of some of the materials has been slightly changed, but I wish I could be sure you would believe me when I say that to all practical intents and purposes the shop is the same now as then.” : “I have no doubt of it,” responded Philbrick, quickly; “have you, doc- tor?” “Not the slightest,” said the doc- tor. Prof. Drummond sighed as if it were a pity that he should have felt it necessary to suggest a doubt. Philbrick crossed the room idly, and, in a manner wholly characteristic of him, set the pulleys of a lathe in mo- tion by a blow with his hand. He stood watching it whirl a moment and then, as if again following the profes- Dr. Williams Remained With Arms Folded. sor’s suggestions, leoked listlessly up to the csiling. “This rocm,” said the professor, ob- serving the glance, “is directly under the chamber where I laid Starkweath- er; that is, the chamber is over a part of this room. The door space here is considerably greater than in the room above.” “T thought so,” murmured Philbrick, indifferently. Dr. Williams remained with folded arms on the spot where he had stop- ped when he entered the room. At the professor’s reference to laying Stark- wather in the roon above he started slightly, as if impelled to speak, for he recalled how Prof. Drummond had admittea kaving employed subterfuge, and the doctecr had supposed that that was an admission that the chamber part of the story was an invention backed up by prepared testimony on the part of Betsey. The doctor did not speak, however. He pressed his lips close together and looked on, frown- Ing, while Philbrick aimlessly picked up and laid down several tools on the bench, “I told you, gentlemen,” said the professor, after smother interval of silence, “that this was my chamber of secrets, and that I was ready to an- swer any questions that might occur to either of you. I want you both to be satisfied.” Philbrick glanced from the statu- esque doctor to the professor and re- sponded. s don't think of any questions to sk.” Professor Drunmond turned to the floctor. “Tye nothing to say,” said Dr. Will- fams. ‘The professor seemed disappointed. “Really, gentlemen,” he exclaimed, “I'm doing what I can to clear myself from suspicion and to settle all doubts m your own minds once and for all. You do me an injustice by making a perfunctory exami:ation. It is due to me that you should speak freely what- ¢ver occurs to you.” Dr. Williams could think of plenty to bay, but he was determined not to speak. or one reason, though not necessarily the first, he felt that the opening of the shop at this late day, after time for elaborate preparation, was the shallowest kind of humbug. Yor another, he was pot inclined to ad- init in the presence of Philbrick that he knew more about the tragedy than he had disclosed at the inquest. Inci- dental to this reasen was a strong dis- like to doing anything that might pro- smote ulterior designs of Philbrick’s, if he kad any. If Philbrick had not been present and it occurred to the doctor that the professor might bave counted en his reluctance to ask questions in Philbrick’s hearing, he might have been tempted to tax the professor with lying on one occasion about the use of electricity in his house, and to demand bow and why there was connection be- On the Piazza Rail Talking to ‘Louise. tween his dining tebl*. and the battery in the shop. But Dr. Williams was so repelled by the situation in which he found himself that he was determined to break away from it as soon as pos- sible, and even if he had been alone with Professor Drummord, he might have kept silence, stifling his native desire to get at the truth. Philbrick, after another inquiring glance at the doctor, seemed to feel called upon to do something that should appear to be taking advantage of the professor’s offer. He raised a chisel from the bench and remarked: “Even a doubter, Prof. Drummond, would see that you have told the truth. Every tool I’ve picked up shows a dust mark. That could not be the case if things here had been moved about much.” “That’s what I like to hear!” said the professor. “It seems you've had your eyes open and your mind active since you came in. Go ahead, Mr. Philbrick.” “Y’'m considerably interested by this thing. What is it?’ and Philbrick pointed to the large structure at one side. bg “That’s one of my secrets,” replied Prof. Drummond; “it is an invention for the manufacture of metal netting, or screens. It is incomplete as yet. When it is done it will be adapted to making the finest kind of steel gauze, or the heaviest kind of screens, such as are set up in banks to guard the tellers’ counters. I am not so sure that one couldn’t use it for the making of a heavy, ornamental iron fence.” “Marvelous how in these days me- chanical operations are developed,” re- marked Philbrick admiringly. “What are you going to do with this contri- vance?” : He touched a smaller article with his foot. “That's another secret, a new device for separating gold. I am perfectly willing to show you just how that or any other contrivance here operates. Shall 1?” “Bless you, no! I shouldn’t under- stand a word of it.” The professor sighed again. “Does nothing occur to you, doctor?” “Nothing.” “All I can say, then, gentlemen, is that I am at your service any time anything does occur to you.” He opened the door and they passed out. “How is Miss Willis, doctor? "asked Philbrick. “Unchanged. There will be little else to report for two or three days probably.” The doctor left the house almost im- mediately to go to his own home for rest. Prof. Drummond let him go with merely an assurance that there was plenty of room for him at Fairview should he choose to sleep there. Dr. Williams curtly replied that he pre ferred to go home, but would stay in Fairview after that day if the condi- tion of the patient required it. “I wish I could get mother and Miss Willis from under that man’s roof,” he thought as he trudged up the hill, “but it mustn’t be thought of until she is at least convalescent. I wish I might never have to see the professor again!” In spite of this wish he turned his head when he came -to the top of the hill and looked back. He saw Phil- brick seated negligently on the piazza rail talking with Louise. “Well,” reflected the doctor, “if he wants to prove the professor a mur- derer let him do it. And if he wants to marry Louise let him do that, too.” He felt a little ashamed of himself, for mingled with his thoughts was a trace of resentment against the man who had supplanted him in Louise’s affections, if ever he had been there, and he recognized how unworthy such a feeling was now that he no longer loved her. The doctor slept well until evening, and then returned to his patient. There had been no change, his mother told him. He sat upon the edge of the bed looking at Amelia, and his heart was very heavy. He was thinking of her, and not wholly with professional interest. ~ “Poor girl!” his thoughts ran. “You have a fighting chance for life. Brain fever does not always kill, and we may be able to avert it, but what will life be for you if you save it? What com- pensation can possibly await you to banish the horrible shadow of these days? [ wonder if Providence, in His kindness, may not baffle my efforts to restore you to the terrors and anguish of living? And yet my efforts will be directed to that end more earnestly than to any end I ever sought to ac- complish. There shall be no other death chargeable to Prof. Drummond if I can help it!” It was not wholly professional pride, not wholly antagonism to the profes- sor, not wholly both these together that animated the doctor and made the long night watch a satisfaction to him, but he was as yet unaware of any other impulse tnan that noble one thet inspires every good physician to self sacrifice and severe strains in behalf of suffering fellow creatures. At day- light Mrs. Williams took his place in the chamber. The professor had shown no disposition to interfere with the doctor's arrangements. On the con- trary, he was all submission and cour- tesy. As for the latter quaity, Dr. Williams cared nothing, and he gave the professor scanty recognition of it. “The room cdjoining Amelia’s,” said the professor, for example, “has been prepared for you, doctor, whenever you feel that you can absent yourself from the patient’s side.” “Pll use it,” responded the doctor, shortly. He slept there until shortly after noon. Having attended such duties as were demanded of him in the sick rooom, he went out of doors for air and exercise. He was pacing up and down near the river when Philbrick came out of the house and joined him. “Strange man, the professor,” re- marked Philbrick, after inquiries con- cerning Amelia. “Very,” said the doctor. “I was hoping to get a chance to talk to you yesterday about him, but you were so confoundedly played out that I hadn’t the heart to suggest it.” “You're very considerate.” “Come, doctor, don’t be sarcastic. I'd like to be on good terms with you, but—well, I suppose it’s hard to expect it after what has passed between us.” “I cherish no rancor whatever,” said the doctor .“I’d like to have you believe that. We fought like a pair of stupid school boys—at least I did.” “Yes, I think you did. It was more like four school boys,” responded Phil- brick. “I could have licked a pair, while you—” “Don’t make light of my honest shame, Mr. Philbrick,” interrupted the doctor. “I have assured you that that disgraceful circumstance wherein the fault was mine does not linger in my mind against you.” “I didn’t suppose it did. I read you too well for that. But I’ve felt as if there were something else, more in- surmountable, perhaps, as an obstacle to our being on good terms.” “Mr, Philbrick, I’m never to be mov- ed by beating about the bush. You've introduced the subjéct in your cus- tomary indirect way. Pardon me; I don’t mean to be offensive, but you have your way; I mine. I will be di- rect and brief. It may appear un- gracious and ungallant, but I feel bound to say plainly that I am not especially interested in Miss Drum- mond’s future. I should be sincerely pleased to offer you the first congratu- lations on your engagement.” Philbrick’s face expanded into that quizzical, highly amused smile that had formerly so irritated the doctor. “Congratulations are not in order yet, doctor,” he said, after a moment, “put I may take it for granted that the lady doesn’t stand in the way of our getting a little more in toueh with one another, eh?” “You may,” responded the doctor, composedly. “Well, then, I was going to suggest as an outcome of that extraordinary farce in which Prof. Drummond made us unwilling actors yesterday that we put our heads together on the problem of how young Starkweather was kill- ed.—” He stopped abruptly when the doc- tor turned sharply cn him, looked at the physician squarely and continued: “Was killed. I said, and why he was killed. What do you say?” Dr. Williams put his hands behind him and paced up and down, head bent forward, for a full minute. How he would have liked under ordinary circumstances to accept the sugges- tion His rather stubborn pride had yielded perceptibly to Philbrick’s ad- vances, and he was beginning to feel that he could tolerate if not positively like the man. But to reopen his study of the tragedy, to expose his course to this stranger—it would not do. “Mr. Philbrick,” he said, gravely, “IT must decline to enter into rny such arrangement and you must not inter- pret me as having committed myself to your views by listening to you. I must return to my patient.” “All right,” said Philbrick, resign- edly. “I suppose it’s a thing that might better be dropped.” Late in the afternoon a wagon drew up at Fairview and three men got out. One of them was Minot Hawkins, the constable. The doctor saw them from Amelia’s room and wondered what was impending The pres2nce of Hawkins suggested the arrest of the professor. “I should be glad now,” he thought, “if that could be brought about with- out dragging me again into the mat- ter.” The other men were strangers to him, and he conjectured vainly as to Dr. Williams Guards the Door. the meaning of their coming. He had not long to wait before he was ap- prised of it. Opening the dcor in re- sponse to a knock he saw Hawkins and the strangers, and back of them Prof. Drummond. “Good day, constable,” said the doc- tor. “What is wanted of me?’ “Nothing at all, Moscn; nothing at | all’ replied the constable, briskly. j “it’s Miss: Willis we’re after.” “Miss Willis” repeated the doctor, blankly. “This is the patient’s room, isn’t it?” asked one of the men, impatiently, trying to push his way in. ie for put against door and barred the way. “Your making trouble for yourself, neighbor,” he remarked, quietly. “I’m in charge here.” “Sh! Mason,” exclaimed Hawkjns, earnestly. “You don’t understand. It'll be trouble for you if you don’t look out. This is a lunacy case, you know.” “De lunatico inquirendo,” said one of the strangers. “That's it,” said Hawkins. “they’re going to take her to a ‘sylum.” CHAPTER XX. Just a Word From Philbrick. The hottest kind of a retort burned upon the doctor’s lips, but to his own surprise he succeeded in repressing it. He directed one glance of vehement anger at Prof. Drummond, who still stood in the background, and asked in an unsteady voice: “Is either of you gentlemen a physi- cian?” “We both are,” responded the one who had previously spoken. He drew back a little as if he had caught a dan- gerous gleam in the doctor’s eyes. “Don’t make any mistake, Mason,” whispered the constable anxiously, “they’ve got the papers all ready and there’s nothing wrong about it.” Dr. Williams paid no attention to Hawkins. “I am a practitioner in regular stand- ing,” he said. “I don’t know either of ” He did not budge from the door, and he did not look as if he intended to. “We are physicians in good standing also,” returned the spokesman of the pair; “I presume you will not doubt our assertion to that effect?” “I repeat that I do not know you.” “Then,” exclaimed the spokesman, blustering, “all we can do is to require the officer of the law to cause you to vacate that door. Constable, we re- quire an entrance here.” Hawkins looked appealingly at the doctor. “Don’t be foolish, Mason,” he plead- “There’s no hurry, constable,” said the doctor. “Gentlemen, if you are what you purport to be, you can easily satisfy me of the fact and in no man- ner more easy or natural than by ac- cording me the usual courtesies that maintain between physicians. I am in charge here of a patient who is serl- ously ill. It is not the part of goo@ physicians on ex parte evidence to in- yade a sick room and by confusion and altercation bring about a possible complication or aggravation of the dis- order from which the patient suffers. I am not going to resist the law when the law is properly applied.” The strangers looked embarrassed and turned to the professor. “Of course,” said one of them, “we prefer to act in concert with the fam- ily physician. I think, Prof. Drum- mond, it was a little hasty to come up here without warning Dr. Williams.” “J hadn’t the slightest idea that Dr- Williams would interpose any opposi- tion,” responded the professor uneas- ily, “to physicians called by me to as- sist in the case.” “This is the first I've heard of con- “What,” Exclaimed the Professor, Jumping Up. sulting physicians,” said Dr. Williams. “I made no request for a consultation, although I should welcome one if ap- proached in a decent spirit. I am ready, nay, anxious, to present the de- tails of this case to any recognized pliysicians and to listen to their coun- sel concerning it.” “Perhaps we shall avoid a disagreea- ble misunderstanding,” suggested the second stranger, “if we discuss the matter away from the sick room. I do not understand that Dr. Williams makes any final objection to our seeing the patient.” “Far from it,” returned Dr. Will- iams promptly. “I claim a right to know what is going on; that’s all.” “Well,” exclaimed the professor, with a show of anger, “we'll settle the matter soon enough, and the less fuss about it the better, I suppose. Come down stairs, gentlemen.” The strangers started readily, and the doctor left the chamber, closing the door and following them. Prof. Drummond showed them into the din- ing room. Louise and Philbrick left it by a window and went to the piazza when the party entered. “To begin with introductions, Dr. Williams,” said the professor; “these gentlemen are Doctors Robinson and Morse from the town of Marshall.” Dr. Williams bowed, and the party gathered about the table. “I am sorry,” began Dr. Morse, “that we unwittingly appeared to intrude upon Dr. Williams. It was no part of any desire to interfere with another practitioner. I understood that the physician in charge was in accord with Prof. Drummond’s views.” “I don’t know what Prof. Drum- mond’s views are,” said Dr. Williams; “T haven’t asked them. I know that up to date the patient has said and done nothing to indicate mental aberration.” “Circumstances that I needn’t de tail,” put im the professor, with an awkward attempt at his bland master- ful demeanor, “have made it impossi- ple for the doctor and myself to be- come wholly familiarized with one an- other’s views. Dr. Williams is an ex- ceptionally competent and faithful man. He came to the patient when she was in what I may call physical distress, and his attention has been wholly absorbed ever since in minis- tering-solely to her physical malady.” “You don’t know what you are talk- ing about,” interrupted Dr. Williams sharply. “Perhaps you will permit me to state the patient’s condition.” “Of course, of course,” responded the professor, flushirg; “I was merely trying to explain how it was that there were certain things Miss Willis has done and said, of which you had not been informed. I did not suppose however, that there could be two | you know. I took it for granted that you would welcome an opportunity to be relieved of the case, and would see that Amelia will be vastly better off under expert care, such as she would get in an asylum.” “The patient, gentlemen,” sald Dr. Williams, entirely ignoring the pro- fessor, “is threatened with brain fever. Her nerves have been at a high ten- sion for many days, and this disorder was induced by shock and exposure. I should be glad, as soon as we come to an understanding of our relations, to have you see her. You will see at once that this is no-time or occasion for de lunatico, It’s absurd and in- “At the Patient's Bedside.” human! The question is now of say- ing the girl’s life.” “All the same,” remarked Dr. Rob- inson. he who had at first been the spokesman for the visitors, “I don’t see that the visit need be thrown away us far as the lunacy part is con- cerned. What Dr. Willianis says sub- stantiates the claim that Prof. Drwn- mond made, that his niece is deranged. I’m ready to sign the papers. How about you, Morse?” Dr. Morse shook his head. “When the family physician——” he began. “Dr. Williams is not the family physician!” exclaimed the profess»r, his passion rapidly getting the better of him, “and if he were I think a ‘nau has the right to change physicians, hasn’t he? It is my intention to- re- lieve Dr, Williams from further 1e sponsibility with regard to the mat- ter.” Dr. Morse looked very uncomfort- able. His culleague grit:ned triumph- antly. Dr. Williams’ face expressed contempt and determination. “It’s a very simple matter, then,” asserted Robinson. “We have nothing to do with disagreements between Prof. Drummond and the physician temporarily in charge. We are here to take the professcr’s irstructions in the matter.” “Prof. Drummond has nothing to do with the mattez,” said Dr. Williams quietly. “What cried the professor, fumping up. “Tell these gentlemen whether you have any legal right to control the ac- tions of Miss Willis.” “She is my niece; she is a member of my household.” Prof. Drummond tried vainly to re- gain his equable poise of demeanor. His face was purple and his frame quivered with rage. “Gentlemen,” continued Dr. Will- jams, “Miss Willis attempted to leave this house, as she had an undoubted right to do. She was forcibly restrain- ed by Prof. Drummond. Eventually she made her escape, and when she was found unconscious and helpless he—” “It’s a lie!’ roared the professor, leaning over and pounding the table; then he straightened up. “No, no!” he stammered. “I don’t mean that; of course, 1 don’t. I beg your pardon, doctor.” “He refused to give her shelter,” said Dr. Williams, apparently unmov- ed by the professor’s outbreak. “Yhe doctor puts too strong a con- struction on some hasty words of mine spoken in anger,” interposed the professor. “He discarded her utterly,” retura- ed Dr. Williams. “Had there been any other place in the world to take her with safety to herself I should have brought her anywhere but kere. I was compelled to force hospitality to an invalid from this man. Gentle- men, Miss Willis is in my charge. I deny the authority of anybody, save inyself.” There was a perceptible pause be- fore the professor said: “Yon are arrogating more than you can maintain. The fact remains that 1 am the girl's nearest kin, and as such have the right and responsibility of caring for her.” “And there’s the law,” added Dr. Robinson. “You admit, Dr. Williams, that one pbysician cannot »tand in the way of a process of law?” “I admit it more readily than per- laps you expect.” “Well, then—” “One moment!” Dr. Williams’ eyes were flashing with indignation. “The law does not tolerate summary pro- ceedings in matters of this kind when there is a reasonable doubt as to the sanity of the party most affected. I’m not a lawyer, but I’m pretty sure of that.” “We have taken only such steps as are usual in the matter,” protested Dr. Morse, hesitatingly. “We were sent for by Prof. Drummond, and, of course, had no expectation of finding circumstances as they are.” “I acquit you, gentlemen,” said Dr. Williams, “of any intentional injustice or unprofessional conduct. The whole blame rests on the intolerable—’ he was about to say rascality, but he checked himself. “On Prof. Drum- mond,” he coucluded. “I aceept the responsibility of caring for my ward,” growled the professor. “Your former ward,” corrected Dy. Williams. “I was going to add with regard to the process of law, Dr. Rob- inson, that in the case of committing a person to a lunatic asylum the court requires the signatures of two physi- cians to the document asserting that person’s insanity. Do I understand that your signatures are already ap- pended to such a paper?” “Certainly not!” exclaimed Dr. Morse hastily. “I, for one; am opposed to such summary action.” “Then,” exclaimed Prof. Drummond, with a savage oath, “I'll find physi- cians who are more sensible.” Prof. Drummond had come to the point where he must defy Dr. Will- iams. In the heat of his passion it | seemed to him that he could do so. He |had been entirely truthful when he | said tbat he had not expected any op- ‘position from the doctor. The profes- ‘sor’s rage had no terror whatever for ‘Dr. Williams, who now felt that he certain, therefore, that for a time at least he should be able to prevent any harm coming to Amelia. He would have treated the professor’s threat contemptuous silence, but the scene took a new turn by the entrance of Philbrick through a window from the Piazza. “Mr. Philbrick,” exclaimed the pro- fessor, moderating his tone, “this is 9 family matter we are discussing.” “So I inferred,” responded the imper- turbable Philbrick, smilink, “from what I could not help overhearing of doors. 1 don’t mean to make mucy of an interruption, but as it is a family matter it somehow reminded me of this article that I found yesterday ip the wood beyond the ledge. It’s prob ably a part of your machinery; thought you might need it.” He laid the brass switch upon the table. Prof. Drummond seized it convul sively and stared in extremity of fear at Philbrick. He struggled to contro] himself and to understand what sub- tle meaning, if any, could underlie this freakish action. Why had Philbrick chosen this moment to return an arti cle of which he might or might not suspect the significance? “UIT 0} MOOVISTAVS B YO}BA BGS Bu% Dhilbrick meanwhile: proceeded very calmly to answer this silent query by remarking: “We all feel that the professor has been overanxious about Miss Willis, He, too, has had a good deal on his mind recently, and there is no doubt that in his earnest desire to care fot her he exaggerated the importance and tendency of her symptoms.” The impudence of Philbrick’s inter ruption was so apparent that none of the gentlemen, not even wr. Robinson, had any response to make. sanity, professor,” he added, and with drew whence he came. The professor saw beneath Full brick’s words an unmistakable inten- tion of taking arms with Dr. Wiluams, He spoke, too, as if he comprehende! the whole situation at Fairview; as i he were conscious that he, too, held a power over the destinies of the house and purposed to wield it. Prof. Drum mond was staggered. “I think, gentlemen,” he said husk: ily, “that I may have acted hastily. It may be as well to postpone the inquiry until the patient is in condition. I will bring you checks for your fees in @ moment.” Dr. Williams betrayed no sense of triumph when the discomfited profes- sor left the room. Turning to the physicians he said: “The case up stairs, gentlemen, is very serious. I ask it as a favor from one physician to another that you give me your opinion.” Without waiting for their assent he led the way to the sick room and they followed him. “She has been talking again,” said Mrs. Williams, when her son entered. “Still delirious?’ he inquired anx- iously. a “Yes; rambling on about her uncle. The visiting physicians went to the patient’s side and remained there sev- eral minutes. They asked various questions, to all of which Dr. Williams lied frankly. norte it hadn't been for the delirium,” suggested Robinson, with a cunning smile, “you wouldn’t have had some of your points against Prof. Drum- mond, would you?” Dr. Williams ignored the question. “In my opinion,” continued Robin- son, “she’ll come out of this with men- tal faculties impaired.” : Dr. Morse seemed to take a different view. He spoke earnestly with Dr. Williams, recommending a_ certain line of treatment and expressing his entire confidence in the conduct of the case up to date. The visiting physicians at last left the house, and Dr. Williams breathed more freely. One more danger had been averted. What would be the next emergency? “Mason,” said his mother, “I haven’t asked you to tell me anything about affairs in this house, I have felt that you were struggling with hard prob- lems, in which I could not assist you, and yet, you now how anxious I am to help you.” “You are doing all you can, mcther. My first care is for Miss Willis. She must be saved.” “Yes, I feel that quite as strongly as you do. I almost feel as if we were struggling against a determination on the part of others that she should not recover. It’s an awful thing to think and say, but I cannot help it.” “You have guessed or inferred the truth,” said the doctor. She was silent a moment, and then continued: “{ don’t know whether it will help you or not, but I feel as if there were something I ought to tell you.” “What is it?’ exclaimed the doctor, eagerly, “there is nothing said or done here that I ought not to now.” “Did it seem to you the other eve The Professor Seized It Convul- sively and Stared at Philbrick. ning as if the professor were gone a long time when he took me home?” “Yes. I remember that it took sev- eral times as long as I had expected. Louise said you got supper for them.” “I did, but only because the pro- | fessor seemed bent on making a of the journey. It was as if he invited himself to stay. I found leter that he had an object in it. He sent Louise on to the postoffice, and while she was gone he asked me to marry, him.” (To Be Gontinued.) Drawing the Line. The turkey buzzard suddenly drew in a long breath. “Ha” she exclaimed with a pained look, “another season of political ac- | tivity has opened. I can detect the odor of the campaign cigar” | Whereupon the discriminating bird opinions on the matter even with what “had an ally in Dr. Morse, and he was | flew far, far to the nothwest, across _ the Canadian line—Chicago Tribune “Miss Willis is in no danger of in