Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-07-17


and there stood the visitor who must hav,
silently followed the servant upstairs. Her
face, stern and pale, bore the remains o
severe beauty and Mrs. Yorke grew sick
rs unto death, with underlined fears, for sht
recognised Mr.. Jauson's mother.
She utterly lost her self.possession. She
did not say, walk down to the drawing room
or. walk in here she only looked up with
her ghastly face, the picture of terror and
misery. Mrs. Janson stepped in, and closed
the bedroom door and fixed her searching
eyes full upon Mrs. Yoike.
81 have come to ask you who murdered my
son."
Mrs. Torke felt as if her brain was turning
There stood his mother. putting that startling
question, and there at her back, were the
hidden pieces of-the-gun there, In another
spot, were the hammer and chisel. Omnous
witnesses, all.
"bd yJu kill him 2" proceeded Mrs. Jan.
son.
Mrs. Yorke, in her perplexity and conTu
uttered-"I get on and beat man to death
it would be physically impossible. Why do
yoh come here with so cruel n thought ?"
Ever since heard the details Of the crime
yesterday" continued Mrs. Janson, my
thoughts have never quilted it, not FOR an
hour, for my eyes last night Tere sleepless
and ! have sought in vain for its motives.
All tell me that my son bad no enemy here,
that he was beloved and respected. 70 day
heard that you were living herc, and said
TO myself '1here lies the clue. Nou could
not kill him yourself, You say; perhaps not
but you might get it done. Did your
Strange to say, Mrs. Yorke endured such
words without indignation. Indignation from
her when the wicked instrument Of his
death was within few inches She answered
in tone Of humility, Of pitable depression
"Yon may spare yourself such thoughts
| would have given my own life TO save his. "
1t may be that her words struck Mrs. Jan.
son as being the words OF truth, for her voice
lost some of its harshness.
Years ago you were my sons bnne; you
led him to love you. and then left him for
another: what wonder, then, amidst so CON-
plete dearth CT motive for others commit.
ting the crime, that my thoughts should turn
to you"
~ | did marry another, il was not that
dislked votr son." answered Mrs y orke, in
los tone "it was that circumstances were
not favorable to my marrying him. Since we
met again, on the occasion Of my coming
here, We have been excellent friends. Mad.
am, ] beg you TO understand me friends
the past waa gotgotteH by both Of us; it was
never once recalled or alluded 20 by either
your son has attended my child, and brought
him through dangerous illness. Pray put
away these dreadful IDEAS added Mrs Y orke
with emotion your son was the last person
in the world would have injured.
What makes you look so i'll p demanded
Mrs. Janson, abruptly. at appears like
mental illness, rot bodily"
II have no objection to tell you that
have felt i'll ever since the news Of the hotri-
be crime was brought to our houSe--as
should DO had its victim been any other friend
And to-day" she added, with a faint color al
her invention, II have a sick headache, which
kept me from church, and causes me to look
as DO now. Believe me, | know no more
of the crime than YOU did, who was !al
away"
"Nor your husband p
"My husband !" echoed Mrs. Yoke, with
well teigned astonishment; what motive
could my husband have in wishing him i'll
Quite the contrary; had ! not chosen him
when could have chosen Mr.. JuuSon Mrs.
Jansou," she added, rising, and assuming a
courageous, open tone, "you must search
elsewhere for the guilty parties, not in our
house"
Mrs. Janson probably thought so. She
likewise rose.
Years ago, Elizabeth Sherriugton-I beg
your pardon; Mrs. Yorke-I told you that
should your future existence be one Of retr
button, you had richly earned it. Should il
have been so, or should it ever become so
you may remember my words"
Ay, She did remember them, and with az
awful shudder. Her future 1riStcncc'
As she listened to Mrs. Jansons lcRSing
the house, other footsteps We're heard ascend
ing the stairs, and Miss lIardisty entered.
You f. exclaimed Mrs. Yorke, glancng
sideways at the drawer which contained the
hanmer, and wishing it was safe in its place
"chu:ch cannot be over"
no. I came cut before tie sermon
Elizabeth, you look like death Stay let
me speak to you; | came home to do so.
thought OF doing so yesterday but my courage
failed me What shadow is II that has fuller
on the house %
"Shadow?" ?" she gasped.
"Ay, shadow. J have knowr you from :
child, and loved and reverenced Mr.. Yorkei
mother. For your sake and hers ! have re
solved TO speak. As ] went into church
Mr. Eorke was il advance, aud ] behinl
with llenry-some people stood IN the
! CuurClNhEu Hey uiu LNl hub" u.s. VIC "N''
strangers, and they continued talking ovel
the marYel OF Mr. Iorkes knowing that the
murder was committed before others could
know it-for il seems that the neghbOrhooC
trusts Crane, who has been in it all his life
| in preference to Mr.. forke. | spoke few
! words to Harry, and went Oh IN. In the
! Commandments, when the clergyman repeat
| ed "rhou shalt do no murder and ] remem
| bered next to whom / was Standng--Ellza
| beth, don't scream: suspicion, above al
! things, must not be courtcd here, even from
your servants. Well, felt as if | c0gld mol
remain there by his side, and when the cler
gymau went out TO change his surplice, eft
aud came back to you. Let me say to you
what have 70 say"
Mrs. Yorke, only bowed her head. She
could not speak.
Understand, Elizabeth | assume no
ones guilt or innocence, ask not what lee
! to that incautious revelation otyour husband
! the premature knowledge of the curdeI ant
the manner of its commiltal ; would rather
not know. But that avOwal must be remedl
! cd"
"Remeded !" walled the unhappy lady, it
tone of despair. ooh, my children +
There is remedy, Elizabeth"
How ?"
IL and Henry Y orke must give false testi
money" continued Miss HardiSty, in slow
distinct whisper. Your husband also, bu
to him it will probably be Of no moment
Henry, as he came through the village on hi
way TO us that night, saw the crowd gathered
| round MIR Janann's hOusa nnd the murder