The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1881-07-06
CHAPTER X.
A CHANCE MEETING.

James Dalton had been out walking.
Since his return from abroad, whence he
had gone in quest of business and health
combined, quiet walks were a favorite eXer-
else with him; but more frequently now he
walked ont in the night, and kept his eyes
open to the objects he met, SO that nothing
escaped him.
There was that at his heart which would
not allow him peace and only by trnversing
long distances could he restrain 3 feeling
which urged him to the doing of something
desperate in behalf of his unfortunate friend
Clarence Suydam. The thirst for vengeance
was almost insupportable, for he was now
convinced that Clarence had been treacher-
ously dealt with. But his nature was such
that he could control the most impatient de-
sires of his soul, if by giving them utter
nnce he were sure evil might accrue. Thus
o fixed purpose of vengeance on Clarence
Suydam's murders chung to his innermost
soul.
james Dalton was man of wealth as we'll
as sense; but was so reserved and unos-
tentatious that his most intimate friends
knew little as to his financial standing.
Much of his time was spent in the Old
World in search of subjects for his pencil,
for he was an artist by profession, and in
his search labored so necessarily that his
! health finally succumbed to the strain.
Becoming uneasy, and desiring once more
to see his native land, he left Switzerland
and returned to America. After arriving in
| port, he set about arranging his business,
| determining to visit Immediately after, his
old school friend and brother artist, Clar-
| ence Suydam. The shock he received at
the intelligence of his death Clarice could
{ not have comprehended unless she had
known of the strange scene Mr.. Dalton Wit
messed in the quiet of tho night of the ninth
/ of October.
In the course of his walk, James Dalton's
thoughts wandered to the beautiful woman
whom Clarice Suydam had accused of the
murder, and he groaned as he contemplated
the fearful duty which might devolve upon
him should it be proven that she indeed was
the prime mover in the plot. Thus thinks
ing, he stepped off the curb at Broadway
and Fulton Street, Just behind an elegantly
nttired woman, who was accompanied by q
gentleman of fine appearance, who assisted
her cavalierly to cross.
The appearance of the lady was SO strilk-
ing as to attract the young mans attention
ut once. She was handsome, with large
black eyes, full red lips and rudy cheeks,
and complexion clear as the olive.
The gentleman was rather good-looking,
and arrayed in the height of fashion.
Mr.. Dalton was SO near these two that he
could have touched them.
They were conversing in low tones, but
be could hear every word, and the very first
sentence spoken by the man caused him to
start.
''Rather than she should fail, I'd use the
knife myself"
ssFooiish George!" said the woman
foolish! You would not have the courage
to take another's Ii"
A nudge from the elbow of the man cut
short the woman's speech, and both turned
as Mr.. Dalton, prompted by some unaG-
countable impulse, stepped briskly up to
them and inquired the way to Chatham
Street.
The woman, with beaming smile, which
sent q thrill to James Dalton's untrameled
heart, directed him, while the man peered
keenly into his face with ferrit eyes.
Mr.. Dalton bowed and sauntered on in
the direction indicated. But, once out of
their sight, he darted back into Ann Street,
and through Ann Street to Nassau and Full
ton The two pedestrians had passed the
corner of Fulton and Nassau Streets. They
were evidently on their way to the ferry,
We're they on q mission of crime, or were
they plotting mischief The strange con-
nection between the few words dropped by
the man and the thoughts continually in
James DaltOn's mind must have impressed
him so that he could not resist the tempta-
ton to follow them, for follow them he did,
taking the same car at the other side of the
river.
1t was yet early, and the car was well
filed, but the young man did not go inside
for fear of being recognized. He stood on
the front platform and watched every pas
senger who got of. One after another they
vacated the vehicle, till only one person be
side the fashionably- attired man and woman
was left.
At last, at the corner of Gates Avenue and
Patchen the car stopped and the man and
woman alighted.
James Dalton waited till he saw them
on the sidewalk and then jumped quickly
off and followed leisurely.
The avenue they were on was only par
TALLY built, there being but few houses
scattered here and there Opposite small
frame church, stood handsome house,
some distance in from the road, and sur
rounded by what seemed, in the uncertain
light, to be well-kept grounds. This house
the travellers from New York entered
II am satisfied" muttered Mr.. James
Dalton 'What beautiful womanr' he
added.
He took a careful survey of the surround
ings and returned to New York.