The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-05-17

/ NH HOt utT0 10 lnlh6 u CudIR6, DuU
ask help at once?" cried the young man,
following up his first statement before the
sedate sergeant had an opportunity to speak.
ly, tapping o bell at his side. "Where did
the affair occur?'
"Down at the river front. was passing
along South street, and as came near Peck
Slip heard groan. looked across the
street, and saw u man at that moment push
another into the water and run. 1 set up a
cry and started in pursuit; but the man was
too fleet of foot"
'aDid you call for. the police?" said the
sergeant
mo; / was so horror stricken that thought
OF nothing but running him down, and get
ting him in my grasp"
The official shook his head and again
tapped the bell.
'Can you describe the man whom yon
saw run away2"
"Only his dress" replied the young man;
'for l could not get look at his features
he was at too great distance ahead"
The two policemen who had been sum-
moned we're dispatched with the young man
who had given the Information to the scene
of the trouble.
After half an hours search about the
docks, by the aid OF lanterns, the IN n re-
tnrned TO the station as wise as when they
left it,
No one on board the vessels moored along
the docks bad heard any unusual noise.
Not single soul except the breathless
young man seemed to know aught about the
murder or attempt at murder.
Ihe sergeant aekeu II dozen or two ques-
tions and then bade the young man per-
emptory good morning." thus giving him
to understand that he wished to hear moth
| ing more of what he termed "a delusion."
Later in the day the young man who had
caused the police no much trouble wended
his way TO the residence of Clarence Suy-
dam.
He asked for Clarence, and was admitted
Immediately by the servant of the house.
He walked slowly up the stairs and en-.
tered the studio quietly-a place in which
he and Clarence had passed many happy
hours.
He found the once pleasant room deserted.
The pictures we're all turned to the wall and
black curtain hung over the easel--tho
easel upon which still remained the unfin-
ished portrait of Miss Ovington.
"Dead" he exclaimed Clarence, my
friend-my lifelong iriend-dead! This is
indeed bitter blow!'
He sank into chair near the easel, and
covered his face with his hands.
He scarcely knew how long he had re-
manned atsd in this melancholy attitude
when the curtains between the two apart
ments were slowly drawn apart and Clarico
appeared, standing in the opening between
them.
Her white fnce was more colorless than
h.,t Il L., l..
ing from this white face had terrible and
stony expression.
"Ah, Mr.. Dalton. you have returned"
she exclaimed, claspng her slender hands
and slowly approaching the young man.
directed your footsteps hither, for l hayo
need of friend"
81 know ALI" answered tie young man.
81 ask Won no question. for your answer
could tell me nothing which | have not al
ready learned from the aspect of this once
familiar room. Those pictures turned from
the light of day, that gloomy dapery upon
the easel, the closed shutters, and the dark
ened chamber-all speak of one calamity
death. Clarence Snydam is dead. Do not
distress yourself to tell me the terrible truth,
Clarice; ] know all"
The young girl answered with mocking
laugh "a laugh horribly discordant in its
tone.
you know ALL" she exclaimed. "You
know nothing Of the bitterness of my de-
Ispair!"
"What can know more than that Clar.
en- e is dead?' asked Mr.. Dalton.
"fhere are many kinds of DEATH" replied
IClarice with an icy despair that was dread
iul to look upon
ain Heavens name, what mean you,
Clarice2' exclaimed the young man.
81 mean that my cousin Clarence Suydam
has been murdered"
"Murderel" gasped the young man.
"Mnrdered!" he repeated in hoarse whisper.
Yes" answered Clarice - ''brutally,
treacherously murdered'
"Clarice what do you mean?"
"Chrence left here last night promising
If alive, to return at eleven o'clock He has
not returned and you know he never yet
broke promise"
"Never," replied the young man. "But
who could have any motive for SO horrible
dsed2"
"What motive9" she repeated, with smile
Of dark meaning "Ay, what indeed?"
"rell me all, Clarlce,' said the young
man. "YOu cannot doubt my interest in all
tiht Soic0IhS my VIA ileuti, VI my eitpeT-
ness to aid you in the endeavor to ascertain
his fate"
Seat yourself here, then" replied Clarice
-"here, opposite this easel, for there is
hidden by that curtain which
will show you when the time comes"
ellis portralt?'
"No; the portrait of woman. Within
the year that followed your departure for
England, Clarence was engaged by a wealthy
gentleman to give lessons in painting to his
dauphter-a beauty and woman of fashion,
very young, very amable. and very much
beloved by those who know her. You know
Clarence Suydam's enthusiastic nature; you
will not therefore be surprised 10 hear that
he fell in love with this woman"
"And she returned his aifection?"
'She did, or she pretended to do so.
Clarence confded in me; he told me all-his
happiness in the present, his hope in the
future. She had sworn to share his humble
fortunes in spite of all the world-in deli
ance of the harsh code Of society which re-
serves beauty and wealth for its own station.
Th were betrothed. They met often, but
and, when separated for any length