The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1881-06-22
CHAPTER ~.
TEE u1pN1aHr cRx.

THE MIDNIGHT cRX.
The Oak Street Station was brightly
! lighted all night long, according to custom.
and the blinds were partly drawn.
The sergeant had been busy in the latter
part of the evening, booking the miserable
wretches brought before him, most of them
in various degrees of intoxication, and now,
in the early morning, he sat quietly reading
the newspaper
For an hour he was undisturbed, then the
outer door swung open and young man
hastily entered. He was light, wel-built,
and CT medium height A loose-fting caps
protected his shoulders from the chill air,
and black SLOUGH hat partly concealed his
classic forehead.
With quick breath, he addressed the ser
geant
''Sir," he said, "there has been murder
committed"
The officer dropped his paper and looked
up, stoIidly, at the speaker.
81 am not hara to make q nhar0A bat "a
ask neIp at OnceE~ crIed the young man,
following up his first statement before the
sedate sergeant had an opportunity to speak.
''Take it easy, sir" said the officer, calm
ly, tapping bell at his side. ''Where did
the affair occur2"
''Down at the river front. was passing
along South street, and as came near Peck
Slip heard a groan. looked across the
street, and saw man at that moment push
another into the water and run. set up
cry and started in pursuit; but the man was
too fleet of foot"
'tDid you call for the police?" said the
sergeant
mo; I was SO horror-strickent 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 away?"
''Only his dress, replied the young man;
'for l could not get look at his features
he was at too great a distance ahead"
The two policemen who had been sum-
moned were 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 men re-
turned to the station as wise as when they |
left it,
No ona on board the vessels nnoored along
the docks had heard any unusual noise. |
Not single soul except the breathless |
young man seemed to know aught about the |
murder or attempt at murder.
The sergeant asked a dOZeI. or two queg- |
tons and then babe the young man per-
amptory 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 so much trouble wended |
his way to the residence of Clarence Suy-
dam
He asked for Clarence, and was admitted
by the servant of the house.
He walked slowly up the stairs and en-
tered the studio quietly-s place in which
be and Clarence had passed many happy
hours.
He found the once pleasant room deserted
The pictures were all turned to the wall, and
, black curtain hung over the easel-the
easel upon which still remained the unfn-
shed portrait of Miss Ovington.
'Dead" he exclaimed. Clarence, my
lifelong friend--dead! This is
indeed bitter blown
He sank into chair near the easel, and J
covered his face with his hands.
He scarcely knew how long he had re-
NAMED seated in this melancholy attitude
when the curtains between the two apart.
nents were slowly drawn apart, and Clarice
appeared, standing in the opening between
hem.
Her white face was more colorless than
he purest marble; her large dark eyes gaZ-
ng from this white face had terrible and
tony expression.
''Ah, Mr.. Dalton. you have returned"
he exclaimed, clasping her slender hands
nd slowly approaching the young man.
1T was surely an all-wise Providence which
ERECTED your footsteps hither, for I have
eed of friend"
81 know all' answered the young man.
I ask you no question, for your answer
Ould tell me nothing which I have not al
eady learned from the aspect of this once
smIliar room. Those picSUFes turned from
he light of day, that gloomy drapery upon
le easel, the closed shutters, and the dark
ned chamber-all speak of one calamity
cath. Clarence Suydam is dead. Do not
istress yourself to tell me the terrible truth,
larice; know all"
The young girl answered with hooking
ugh-a laugh horribly disco-dant in its
me.
You know ALI" she exclaimed %You
now nothing of the bitterness of my de-
)airr'
'sWhat can know more than that CIar- 9
/ is dead?" asked Mr.. Dalton. |
There are many kinds of DEATH" replied t
larice, with an icy despair that was dread {
i to look upon.
SIN Heavens name, what mean you, /
arice?" exclaimed the young man. {
Il mean that my cousin Clarence Suydan, r
Is been murdered"
''Murdered!' gasped the young man. :
Murderedl The repeated, in hoarse whisper. y
Yes" answered Clarice = ''brutaIly,
murderedl
''Clarice, what do you mean?"
"Clarence left here last night promising, q
alive, to return at eleven o'clock. He has p
It returned, and you know he never yet a
oke promise" Il
Never" replied the young man. 'tBut u
10 could have any motive for so horrible +,
ed?" !,
'.YVhat motive?" she repeated, with a smile 4 4
dark meaning ''Ay, what indeed?" :
i'Tell me all, Clarice," said the young :
IN. You cannot doubt my interest in all II
it concerns my old friend, or my eager Il
IS to aid you in the endeavor to ascertain II
fate"
Seat yourself here, then" replied Clarice
'shere, opposite this easel, for there is
nething hidden by that curtain which I !.
L show you when the time comes" 4
Ellis nortraiL9' =
TCoNTNUED.