The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1883-02-17
CHAPTER II
LII. JAMES DA1oN's ADVENTURE

Cd-H1EAs Al.
LII. JAMES DA1oN's ADyESrrnn
''Good Heaven, man, didn't tell you SC
tbs other night? Bat you wouldn't believe
! me. Now you seek to deprive me OF liberty
because Of your own Stupidity"
MIR. James Dalton addressed these words
to one Of the two police officers who had &C
companied him in his search for the mid
night assassin.
Cant help it. sir" replied the police.
man; ''you are wanted"
Expostulation vas Useless, and he was
obliged to follow the officer. At the station
house he found the sergeant of police await
ing his coming. Soon he was closeted with
him.
Information las been received here to-
Gay, Mr.. Dalton" said the sergeant, '.reia-
tive to the disappearance OF young man OF
good social standing. He has been missing
since the ninth Of the month. You reported
murder on that night. We therefore, wish
you to state all you know of the case"
AS Mr.. Dalton knew very little of the
matter, the interview was far from satisfac-
tory. bat the sergeant politely thanked the
young man, and apolosized for the uncre-
mo.ioUs detention.
''Please step with me into the adjoining
AOpA-4s UC OAHU.
Complying with this request, James pal-
ton found there pale-faced young woman
Of about twenty-tLree years of age, and q
little boy with pretty face.
At a glance, he saw that they were either
mother and son, or sister and brother.
"Ihese. sir" said the sergeant of police,
''are relatives OF the missing man, who
would like an escort back to their home
which is III Brooklyn. If you would be SO
kind, and have the time to spare, you would,
know, confer favor upon the lady by Sec
ing her safe there"
James Dalton's kind, sympathetic heart
was deeply touched by the beautiful but sad
face before him, and at once. despite the
ladys protest, insisted upon accompanying
her.
When they reached the lady's home, he
would have left her ct the door, but she
begged that he would come in aud have a
cup Of coffee, as supper was Just being laid
He would have declined, but the little boy
took him by the hand and looked up into
his face.
Il like you," said the little fellow, .:anl
you must come in-you c,ust!'
''Well. then. my boy, just long enough to
drink the coffee, for l must be going back,
as it is getting dark"
A1C l1iCNLtA tiiC Culttt W letll Eilu lnCO Tic
neat and handsomely y-iurnished drawing
room, while the woman closed the outer
door and rang for the servant
The boy clanbared eagerly up on James
Daltons knee and placed lis little arms
about his neck With a wistful look
''You look like ny papa" he nurmured-
''ch, SO much like my dear papa!''
''Bartie," aG.aonished the lady, s'dont
sneak his Ea,oe'"
Then food Of tears choked her utter
arce, and she Lid her face in har hands,
sobbing like child
The scene was exceedingly painful, and
one SO new 10 the young man that he scarcely
knew what to say. He looked. first a. tie
boy, then at the young widow.
Thus the three sat for some minutes. no.
C. sound breaking the Stiffness O: the room.
The lady WIS The first to speak
''That is his portrai.," she said, pointing
to an oil painting ever the uantel.
James Dalton lad noticed the picture On
his entrance into the room. He now gazed
long and earnestly upon the features.
"A handsome i:ce," he said audibly, and,
With the child in his arms, he walked over
to the mantel and took i; closer look at the
features; 'and {; well-executed portrait.
The artists initials only are here Madam,
Nlily ASK WHO painted IL!
"A Ar. Sryla,a, Of New York" replied
TIE lady ''Iie was a friend OF Henrys, l
think, for lie called here one evening, long
while ago."
The servant now announced supper, and
the three persons so strangely brought to
gether descended to the dining-room the
boy clineing to 1Ir. Dalton's hand.
MADAM" said James Dalton, cheerfully,
as they sat down to the table, ''you must
not lie down-hear.ad. Your husband may
not be dead. 1t is no unusual thing for q
business man to be called suddenly away.
Perhaps lie is out of the city,"
''Ah. sir, that is not at all likely" replied
the lady, with 0 bitter smile. ''Henry's
business Was not such as to make that neces-
sary, but, II any such event, he could have
scrt me word. You seek to comfort me,
and I thank you, but no one can convince
me that my husband has not either been
murdered, Or
She paused suddenly and set down her
untasted coffee with trembling hand.
She changed the conversation, and began
talking of society and the pleasures Of the
winter season, laughing as she recalled some
humorous event. Her face was flushed,
and her manner wild.
James Dalton Immediately excused him.
self, and rose to depart. The lady accom-
panied him to the door, after moment
spent in extricating her child's hand from
his.
Il am extremely obliged to you, sir, for
your Kindness" she said. 'The sergeant is
an acquaintance OF our family, and he was
evidently looking to my welfare when he