The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-06-05
CHAPTER VII.
NO c1.uE-cEcIL CLAYTON AND CLARA COLES
81 AN RELENrLEss" "a GIRLS WAGER

NO CLUE CECIL CLAYTON AND CLARA COLES
81 AN RELENTLESS "a GIRLS WAGER.
The news of the tragedy at the Clayton
homestead spread rapidly. From all parts
of the village, and the surrounding polnts,
men, women and children, came TO inspect
the ruins and to view the tomb of the con-
Wet.
Never before had the little community
been visited with such shock. The excite
ment occasioned by the unfortunate Jaspers
escape became insignificant beside this
greater sensation, intensified as it was by
the mysterious disappearance OF the wealthy
landowner.
Under the direction of detectives from
the adjoining city, the search for the miss
ing man went forward, while sturdy men,
early the morning following the fire, began
dragging the river.
Jared Clark stationed himself at the
waters edge, and remained there while the
divers were at their melancholy work, anx-
iously watching their movements.
As for the young mistress OF Clayton, the
terrible strain on her brain was too severe,
and the future prospect too black. Her Tor
titude gave way. She was found, shortly
alter the burning, lying on her bed, III
| deep swoon.
The family physician was again sent for,
and pronounced the patients nervous sys-
TEN entirely prostrated. Only tenderest
care could save her from lapsing into brain
fever.
"Whatever the result Of this search may
be-" said the practitioner, ''she must be
kept in ignorance OF it. Rest Is most essen"
tlal for her now. Have the room darkened,
| =. ,..l d. fr,,y fDa
these instructions, delivered to the house
keeper, who became nurse, for the time be-
ing we're religiously carried out.
The toll of the searchers went unre-
warded. No clue to John Clayton, alive or
dead, was found by them, SO, as day sue
ceeded day, the belief became general that
he must have been foully dealt with and his
body cast into the swift-fowing Connecticut
aud carried out to sea.
10 robbery was attributed the cause when
it became ascertained that the victim bore
on his person valuable gold watch, dia-
mond pin, and considerable sum of money.
The worthy prison official who had taken
care, in his own wonderful manner, OF Ned
Jasper, could have shed some light upon
the subject, or at least started tram OF
rcumstantial evidence. But Jared ClarA
determined that he should forget the garden
scene, and Miss Cltyton's peremptory de-
mands. Accordingly, before the official LEFT
the house, Clark found time to interview
him.
Extracting hundred dollar note from hi
pocketbook, the villain pompousN handel
1t to the ialer, remarking, as he did SO:
stIt is always well to reward such un
firing devotion as you have displayed
Your superiors in authority may censur
you for neglect, but there is no reason tina
they should. You are at liberty to use IN.
, Influence to-that is, il called upon, l cal
testify to your incompatible ability"
, The conscientious official pocketed tn
money with cunning wink.
! "Not altogether my fault that the felo'
, was roasted, cap. Understand"
, "True," responded Clark; 81 helped tax
care of him. Yet was no more powerles
to save him than you would have beer
! I am ready TO assist you out OF any scrap
on account of it, if you will forget the Il u
, circumstance attendant on Miss Clayton
/, grief at her loss-her arraignment Of nyse
us the cause. People will talk, and l don
4 care to have my name mixed up IN til
affair"
The taller was not quite stupid enough
fail to see tnat tnere Was soinethihB pehlh
d this, but he did not seem at all concerned.
"All right, sir! Quite right - qui
right"
: Jared Clark smiled blandly, and pate
J. him on the back
o "You understand your business, Belts
8 he said at parting "You are the right ma
3 in the right place"
I" Cecil gradually recovered. Mrs Dento
the housekeeper, proved herself compete
n nurse, and carried out the doctors orde
# without putting her own experience IN COZ
bat with his. The patient was Left wea
Is but perfectly able 10 converse. Yet 81
g. asked no questions when informed OF t
', failure of the detectives.
She seemed to have lost all care and
,e have become oblivious. But beneath tn
calm. Indifferent exterior pulsated tfen1