Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-08-29

came over my eyes, and sound, as OF
roaring sea, came into my ears. After
that l remember very little. i had
been over-worked that summer and was
not well; this frightful shock had
quite prostrated me. When l began to
comprehend what was going on about
me again, the inquest was over, and my
Cousins body prepared for burial. They
had found i'm his clenched left hand a
slender bit of gold, about half an inch
long, with tiny diamond in its joint;
and the verdict they had given was,
Murdered by some person or persons
unknown"
| All that / could say was that my cou-
sin had no enemies that knew of. All
that / could do was to kiss him upon
his frozen brow and follow him to the
grave. L did not even see his betrothed /;
but her mother told me she suffered
terribly, and was on the verge of deli
rum. They took her home the DAY
after the funeral, but staid. / had no
choice but to stay. The weakness that
had caused the swOon proved the fore
runner of a serious illness; and L was
but a troublesome guest at Chichester's
Hotel for many days.
As l recovered and found my way TO
the cofIee-room, was treated with much
consideration, and, as an invalid, made
many acquaintances, who would not
have troubled their heads about me had
| been well.
One guest, beautiful lady, with
great black eyes, and voluptuous form,
often paused before my sofa, 10 ask me
with the most bewitching smile how /
felt, or to leave beside me flower she
had gathered in the garden, or book
that might beguile weary hour.
After while we fell frequently into
conversation. She was bright and full
of pleasant repartee. She had, in her
earliest youth been an actress. Whether
she got wearied of it, or did not succeed
upon the stage she did not tell me. She
was now twenty-eight, and her contact
with the public had effectually banished
all reserve and restraint from her man
ner. We were friends at once. In
three weeks l was her lover. My i'll
ness had procured me leave of absence.
| prolonged 1t TO the utmost possibility.
The cause that brought me to Chi
chester's Hotel was terrible one, but
it seemed TO have brought me also the
greatest joy of my life. All the women
had ever met before seemed tame and
spiritless beside Maria Vassar. l Won
dered how | had lived before l knew
her. And she? Surely she loved me.
She neither refused my kisses nor drew
her hand from mine, when | held it
passionately against my heart. Has
love need of many words when it has
such speech as this?
My heart was often heavy, still had
not forgotten my cousin, and the dread
full details of his murder were constantly
being rehearsed. The detectives were
hard at work. The slender arrow OF
gold, with diamond at its head, was
their clue. 1t had in some way guided
them. They felt sure of discovering the
murderer.
l told my troubles to Maria Vassar.
She strove TO comfort me.
She listened patiently TO all that the
detectives had hinted at, but shook her
head over it.
''They only want the money those
poor parents will pay them,' she said.
"They have found no clue to the mur-
derer's identity. They never will. Ii
was a case of suicide. He had a quarrel |
with his sweetheart. OF course she |
will not own il now.''
"But the ornament" l said-"the
broken ornament?"
Something of hers he treasured, |
suppose" she said. ''Oh, no one MUIR
dered your cousin, rest assured"
1t was strange experience alto
gether.
Once said to her, "Maris, sometimes
L am frightened. The murder of my
best friend brought me to know you.
We have talked of my love for you and
of his DEATH ogether. What does this
forebode? Trouble and tragic part
ing? Sometimes i think so."
L saw her turn pale, and it was my
turn to console her. We parted that
night with fond farewells and kisses.
Before breakfast next morning the head
detective called upon me. He wore a
triumphant look, as of one who had sue
ceeded beyond the fondest anticipations.
"We have found the murderer" he
said. "That little arrow did it. We
traced it and found who it belonged to,
and that told the story. We arrested
her last night. 1t will be surprise to
you when you see her."
"a woman ?'' l asked.
eyes" lie answered, "and young
one"
There was a chambermaid in the
house, a black-eyed girl whom l had
always distrusted. i was so sure Of see
ing her in the room to which they led
me that asked no more questions.
But when the door had been opened
by the stout man in charge, | looked
NdiI- Oh tbdiA hNht
window sat lady dressedin black silk.
She turned her head. 1t was Maria
Vassar.
saw i'm her face that it was she who
was the prisoner.
She arose and came toward me.
"Hushr" she said holding out her
manacled hands. "You can do no
good. If they think did it they must
try me. Only if might have word
with you alone"
Her smile, beaming upon the detec-
tives won her wish. They glanced
around the room, and saw that there
was only one means of egress. They
then strobe outside the door, and closed
it upon us.
ssThis is horrible outrage!' L
gasped. "What in heavens name does