Beadle's Dime Library, No. 240 — page 8: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

= a x gree lg gy "me, pe err “agar ‘ Orson Oxx lost no time in obeying the urgent summons. He reached the station just in time to catch the outgoing train. ‘*What in the name of Heaven can Russell mean?” he repeated, again and again, as the rail- road train thundered northward. Ab! well might he ask himself the question! Truth indeed, a crime has been committed of which neither the lover nor the sagacious detec- tive had dreamed, CHAPTER XV. A FARCE THAT IS TOO COMMON, WHILE Orson Oxx and Brayton Russell were holding their first friendly chat iu a private room in the Delaware House, an extraordinary proceeding was under way at the Homestead. The lovers had parted and Ethel Langdon was on the point of going to her apartment, when her uncle called ber to the library. She entered at once and the words of greeting were on her lips, when she recoiled as she ob- served two strangers seated there. The Winking Demon laughed and beckoned her to enter. ‘You need not be alarmed: these are my friends, Doctors Bel] and Thompson,” The grave-looking gentlemea rose and bowed in a stately fashion and then sat down again. Fesling no little curiosity as to what it all meant, our heroine accepted a seat near the door. The visitors sat glum and silent. To the astonishment of Ethel, her uncle began asking ber a number of singular questions, The maiden was in high spirits, for her cheeks were still flashed with the kisses of her lover imprinted only a few mivutes before, and she was amused as well as mystified by the proceed- in gs. ‘Where have you been this evening, my dear?” ‘In the village.” * With whom?” **Old Mrs. Moseman,” “ How is she?” ** Failing fast; I do not think she will be with us much longer,” and the kind-hearted maiden breathed a gentle sigh. . i. suppose you did your best to entertain er?’ **Of course; I always do.” ‘In what way?’ “{ read from the Bible and other books; cooked her a delicate meal and talked as best f could to interest ber.” ‘That was very considerate in you; you are continuall Song saat sort of thing.” **I shall visit Mrs. Moseman every day, for there is no one with her and she must soon die.” And the gentle lady sighed again, while her beauteous face was clouded by the shadow of a sy inpathetic sorrow. Suddenly she brightened up. ‘“T had quite a fright this evening,” said she. “Ab, what was that?” “T was reading to Mrs. Moseman, when in 4 feeble voice, she reminded me that the curtain of the window was not drawn.” *‘ What was there about that to startle you?” ** Any one could look through the window.” ‘And what if any one did?’ **T sprung up to draw the curtain across the panes, when I did catch sight of a man.” ‘‘ Staring through the window?’ ia es.” ‘* What of it?’ “‘] suppose there was nothing terrible, but it was startling, when I took hold of the curtain, to see a dar ei standing outside with his bands in his pockets and staring straight at me.” At this point Doctors Boll and Thompson looked significantly at each other, and each be- gan writing a few words rapidly with his lead- Pencilin a note-book. . “Is that the only time you ever were fright- ened, my dear?” ‘“* What an absurd question, uncie! I have no doubt I have been frightened scores of times, like every one else.” ot the pencils of the physicians moved switiy, ‘You are fond of visiting sick people, my dear?” ‘* We all ought to be fond of doing our duty; what would become of the unfortunate if they were not assisted by the more fortunate?” “ True, but don’t you think it dangerous to be so far away from home late at night?” ‘* lt would be if I were alone; you know Ihave an escort home every evening.’ Sappone he should fail to keep his appoint- ment with you?” _ “Brayton would not fail to do so,” replied Ethel, with a snap of ber fine eyes, “Not willfully, of course, but he might be providentially prevented.” Theo I would stay all night with Mrs. Mose- 7 Mr. Langdon turned bis single eye upon the physicians, and saw they were taking notes and paying strict attention to the conversation. *Don’t you think it imprudent for a young lady like you to be away from home so much?” thel, as may well be supposed, was amazed i] ee LL MLL LL LL tt tt A Gool Head. at such questions, especially in the presence of | ‘‘Great beavens! What anawfuldanger! I two strangers to her. ' shudder to think of it.” One of these men wore eye-glasses, and was! And the Winking Demon did really shudder bald-headed, although he was less than fifty | as though he was frightened at something. years old, | “] bring the doctors here,” he resumed, run- The otber was still younger. | ning over the late events, ‘‘and arrange fora He was large of frame, bright-eyed, strong | mental examination. and wide oe | To make it fair, Ethelis given no warning, They continually exchanged glances,.and | but is brought in unawares, without any sus- were almost incessantly jotting down notes, | picion of what is intended. ‘‘T wonder if uncle is out of his head,” was! ‘‘The examination has been arranged and I the thought which came to Ethel. _ put the questions. She was somewhat indignant also, ‘‘She admits ber tendency to run around Sue felt herself humiliated, and her pride re- | nights and visit sick folks. belled. ** None but crezy women do that. ‘“Uncle,” said she, rising with dignity, ‘if | ‘* When she is there with old Mrs, Moseman, you have anything further to ask of me, I will she imagines she sees some terrible monster, in answer when we are alone,” | the guise of a human being, peering into the ‘‘One moment,” he said, speaking authorita- window at her, tively. | “That gives her dead away, The wondering lady resumed her seat. | “]saw that settled her case with Doctors Bell ‘* Dr, Bell,” said the Winking Demon, nodding and Thompson. to the younger physician, ‘‘sheisin yourcharge | ‘‘But they are very careful: they do not ow.” | wish to take any false step or make the slight- i arty be’ est blunder in a matter of this kind. CHAPTER AVI. ‘“‘They are determined to err on the side of : charity if they err at all, 4 CRIME SANCTIONED BY LAW. “The doctor steps forward to examine her Berore Ethel Langdon understood what was | pulse and she resists violently. meant, Doctor Bell, the brisk young physician, | ‘*Tben be makes a proper request to allow him stepped quickly across the floor and seized her | to examine ber tongue. _ hand. ‘‘The tongue of woman is her most important ‘* What do you mean, sir?” she demanded in- organ, dignantly, attempting to free herself from his; _ “It would help tell the right story to the grasp. | doctor. But he retained his iron grip, shifting the | ‘‘ How does Ethel answer his request? forefinger of his hand, so that it rested on her ‘*Sbe fetches him a whack across the face wrist. | that nearly knocks him down. Then he thrust his head forward and peered | “It was well done,” said Langdon with a into her countenance, laugh, ‘‘ but it cooked Ethel’s goose. ‘* Det me see your tongue !” “It dissipated what lingering doubts the phy- Quick as a flash, the wrathful Ethel brought sicians might have entertained respecting her her free hand against his face, with a force that | insanity. caused him to sea stars, ‘**T saw it and nodded for them to go ahead. The delicate gloved hand was open, but an in- ““They did so, and before morning she will sulted lady can inflict punishment of that sort be safely lodged within a lunatic asylum, where with much emphasis when she chooses. she will stay. The astounded doctor of medicine recoiled | ‘For one of the beauties of this insane law, with a curse, while bis companion laughed or rather law for the insane, is that it is the heartily over his discomfiture. easiest thing in vbe world to place a person The maiden angered beyond control, caught inside the walls of a lunatic asylum, hold of the knob of the door intending to rush ‘** Bat it is the hardest thing in the world te from the room in which she had been humili- get him out. ated. | ‘* And therein were our legislators wise.” At that instant, both physicians seized ber. And The Demon blinked both eyes and chuck- Her uncle advanced for the same purpose, led again. but bis services were not required. Ethel Langdon was terrified. CHAPTER XVII. She screamed and struggled, and displayed | THE WISDOM OF TWO HEADS. more power of resistance than would bave been Orson Oxx obeyed the telegram sent to him thov.at possible in one of such adelicate frame; | but oe was helpless in the grasp of two strong | at tbe Metropolitan Hotel by Brayton Russell, He lost no time in making bis way to Ardville, men, who acted as if they were accustomed to | overcoming such resistance. She was forced | which was reached in the dusk of the early evening. through the hall, out the door, and then half | Young Russell was expecting him, and five | dragged and half carried along the path to the minutes later, the two were holding a confer- ence in the rooms of the young engineer. “What is the clew you have gained?” asked the great detective, who naturally felt much curiosity to know, ‘Tt came into my hands accidentally or prov- identially. You know I! declared I meant to give my whole attention to this business, ‘‘T rode out to the bridge this morning to make the necessary arrangements with my assistant. ‘*His name is Brandon and he lives in the town of Brandon, which was named after his grandfather, ‘‘Itis about ten miles away, and my assis tant comes up on the train each morning, re turning at night. ‘While I was talking with him, be remarked that he did not feel very bright, as be had been up almost all night. ‘‘ He is a temperate man, but he said he had been out to the wedding of a friend and got back so late that he did not gain more than a | waiting carriage. Algol Langdon was close behind them _carry- ing her shawlanda bundle of clothing. The for- mer was tossed over her head, so that her cries were almost smothered. Tkten she was thrust into the carriage, the two physicians quickly fol- lowing and the door was banged sbut. On the instant, the spirited horses were started down the lane at a fierce gallop. Reaching the high- way, the driver kept them lashed to a high pace, until the sound of the wheels died out in the distance. During all thistime, Algol Langdon stood at his own gate straining bis ear to catch the faint noise of the rapidly receding vehicle. So long as it was audible, be stirred no more than a block of stone, When, at last, the listening ear failed to hear the least evidence of bis visitors, | he turned about and walked to bis house. On | the way he chuckled and winked both eyes with much vigor. “That settles her,” ho exclaimed with great exultation, when he was seated again in bis house. couple of hours of see ‘‘Talk about beneficent laws,” he added; ‘“That was all wel enough, but in driving “nothing equals those for the insane in this | home, he and his brother collided with a car- glorious Union. Here I’ve been tormenting my- | riage which was going at reckless speed, self for months as to how I was to keep Ethel | “It was clearly the fault of the driver of the from marrying that fool of a fellow. _ other vebicle, and Brandon was so indignant that he jumped out of bis own carriage a challenged the driver to step down and a thrashing. ‘*The driver was agreeable, and was on the point of doing so, when some one from within the carriage ordered him to go on at once. ‘““At the same moment the command was made, Brandon heard a young lady give utter- ance to a half-smothered sbriek. “The next moment the vebicle rattled up the road at a good pace, and Brandon finding his Own carriage had not suffered anything, drove on home, _“* Before he bad told me that much, the sus- picion flashed across me that my assistant had seen the carriage in which Ethel was taken away last night.” ‘There seems to be ne room for doubt on that point.” ‘* ] questioned him closely.” ** With what result?” ‘‘ And all that time, I never dreamed that I | bad the remedy in my own bands. ‘‘There’s the law for the insane! . ‘‘Tt must have been prepared for just such cases as this, “IT goto Brandon and see Doctors Bell and Thompson; I slip fifty dollars into the hands of each and tell ’°em wnat I want. ‘‘T have a ward, my niece, who is developing marked traits of insanity. ” “Tt is necessary that she should be putina lunatic asylum without delay. . ‘‘ Any dilatoriness in doing so will be very culpable. ‘* She is liable to become violent any moment, ‘‘ She may leave her bed in the micdle of the night and cut the throats of all in the house. ‘True there’s nobody here but Prosperity api me, but that would be more than enough and she might chen visit the tenant-house au run a muck through the village, - — t ' Eomicbooks (E(6)