The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1883-03-17

''Nhat l Wish to ask Is your permission
to pass the night i'll the church OF which YOU
are pastor. The sexton may accompany IL. d
remain with me, if you desire it. Make
whatever arrangement you like, but grant
me permission at once to enter the church
e,i.ice"
MAY ask what is your object?" said the
minister. with look of astonishment.
Il suspect there is something wrong with
the occupants OF the house which sets back
from the street just opposite the church."
''Are You a detective. sir!"
james Dalton opened the left lappel Of his
coat and exhibited detectives badge.
''This is my voucher"
''You may have the keys ut once" said
tie minister. "You somewhat surprised
me by your statement. and yet ought not
to be surprised, for have often wondered
at the peculiarities of the people who live in
that place.
''How many persons have you noticed,
Sir. and what kave you noticed particularly
out Of the way i'll their conduct"
''Wcll, l should say there are at least four
or five men and two-yes, two women, are
all l have seen, believe As to conduct,
why they all act mysterious, and no one
in the neighborhood seems to know anything
about them. They appear to have no friends
this of one OF them: one evening last sum-
mer, toward dusk, my little boy was out in
the front Of the house playing, and, as is my
wont. whistled to warn him that he must
come in. To my surprise, my whistle was
answered at distance. Looking toward
the house Of which you speak, saw wo-
man standing on the porch. l watched a
moment after my boy came up and saw her
enter the house. l thought such behavior
rather odd for a lady, and l was, am sorry
to say, forced to draw an inference Lot very
complimentary to the woman"
SCould you distinguish the features Of
the woman?" asked James Dalton, neryously.
''No. sir, l could no&s But detain you
You will not be obliged to see the sexton. 1
have IL key of the church"
The minister retired from the room and in
q moment returned ready for the street.
SO soon as James Dalton was inside the
church, he took the key which the minister
rendered and looked about for lamp.
''Do you wish lisht?" said the minister
my pocket, and only require to know if there
is Il lamp convenient. There is light enough
furnished now by the moon. You perceive
it strikes upon that stained window near the
door. Be kind enough to help me raise this
window"
With the assistance of the minister, james
Dalton opened side window which faced
the suspected house sufficiently to allow a
clear view.
He then bade the minister good night and,
locking himself in, took his station at the
half-opened window.
A light shone family through the upper
windows of the house opposite, but The
lower part was in darkness. The time
dragged slowly to the watcher. Not sound
disturbed the stiffness of the holy precincts
except, a. long intervals, the tread OF some
chance pedestrian upon the hard ground
,Withcut. James Dtlton's eyelids were be-
ginning to grow heavy when he noticed the
lights in the upper part of the house 60 out
No one had entered or come out, and the ex-
'insuishing of the light was evidently sign
that the inmates had retired for the night
Still the artist watched till the breaking
away Of the darkness warned him that he
had best leave. So his first nights watch
gained him nothing.
Had the disappearance of Celeste Van
Dnyne put the burglars on their guard, or
was there back entrance to the house, and
had the men gonesout that way during the
night?
emes Dalton left the church and walked
aeoAt the upper part of the city. half frozen
with the cold, until he heard clock strike
seven, and then returned to the minister's
house.
The minister met him at the door,
Il shall be over again tonight" said
James Dalton
Every well, sir, replied the minister;
''the key is at your disposal"
Although Worn by his unwonted task, Mr..
Dalton called on Mrs. Raymond, the wife Of
the missing man, before he returned to New
York. He found her at home, and imme-
diately she came into the drawing-room.
She had moro color in her checks this
morning. and black morning wrapper,
belted at the waist. gave her an easy, grace
fui appearance. Her hair, caught by black
velvet band, was drawn clear of the temples,
and did not cover her high and intellectual
forehead. She was not beautiful-not even
pretty-but she was womanly and winning.
''Iou have come in answer to my letter,
Mr.. Dalton?" she said. ''Bertie has asked
for you frequently. He seems to have taken
a liking to YOU"
"He is fine little fellow, madam" re-
piled James Dalton. Il should like to see
him. Madam am here to tell you what
have discovered"
Mrs. Raymond uttered faint cry.
"Do not get excited" said the artist
gently. "You ha ve not anticipated good
itidings?"
She shook he, head
''You will MT be shocked then to learn
that your su5picions are verified. Your
husband is d. ad-his body lies in the New
York Morgue"
''Dead!" ,.loaned Mrs. Raymond, catching
at the bacl> of chair for support dead!
1 feared tt feared it! Heaven help me!'
Il viii see that the. body is sent here at
once" said James Dalton, somewhat affected
by the young widows grief. '.Do not dis
tress yourself, madam. He is not You
uude stand what mean?"
",low can know what you mean when I
do .ot know where'the body was found?'