The Portland daily press., 1883-05-18

white placard, hereon large black letters
announced the latest news: save he money
you are about 10 spend on a novel, and buy
penny paper Instead. Can auy novel hold
out such promises as those? Why, that
alone he went on, arresting his stick at the
words: Horrible discovery A lady sup
posed to have been murdered in railway
carriage, Ihe murderer at large" That
alone Is sufficient sensation for whole
Journey. three volume romance lies hid
den under those few words. But the ruth
will out. Sooner or later the British public
will know all about 1t. Did you ever read
DeQuincy's Murder Considered as Ore of
the Fine Arts?'
Mop answered, looking at him inwon-
der, and feeling half amused, half surprised
at being so addressed by stranger
/ was quite young fellow, quite, when |
first read it, he went on, butt made
such an impression ON me that l took to
studying murder from that day. Don't be
alarmed. only took to studying 1t, I tell
you: and when want ll.tle relaxation for
my mind study 1t now. There's nothing
better calculated to take one out of ones
self than to enter heart and soul into a
downright, regular, atrocious murder case.
Bless you, there's not one taken place these
fifty years that haven't followed with alb
them than judge aud jury and all the rest of
about them put together--not emitting the
murderer himself, mayhap. Ha. he ex-
claimed, the London papers! Now then
for further particulars" And he turned
to select some newly placed upon the stall.
Ieonie What are you doing there?
thought had lost you. Conner cried Ed
gar, more imaptiently than | had ever heard
him speak, as he dragged me toward the
N
had abundant food for thought for some
time after this. The subject of it--Edgar.
1t was not his appearance only that was
changed. 1t was himself. He was irrita-
BILE. lie looked harassed, worried, i'll. The
important post be had accepted 10 doubt
brought anxieties, and held responsible
ties which weighed ON him, and as yet he
had had no chance to explain the nature of
them to me. But. in the meanwhile, could
he not put them from him for a little spaeep
Was it hot rather hard ON me that he should
be SO taken up with them to-day-o we'd
ding day?
Bless mel bless me9 calculated our fell
low traveller presently, laying down his ia
per and turning his beaming countenauce
full upon me.
/ hope you found the supposed murder
case real oneIand as thrilling as you exptc
ted, STRIP / asked, with interest.
1 anticipate il will prov the best mental
distraction have had for years he an
swered alphabetically AS your husband
objects to your rea ling in the train, young
lady, Will tell you the facts as tar as they
have Come 10 on Sas ite ebay l: when he
late train from the north arriye ed in London,
a lady was found in a frs class carriage,
dead, under more than suspicious circum-
stances. The supposed murderer
Murderer How do you know she was
murdered?' in eTrupted Edgar excitedly
L do no. know it. As yet no one knows
it. | am only telling what the newspapers
say. But I'll take care know good deal
more before | am many hours older. In the
meanwhile, with your leave, will relate
But yon have not my leave. On the con-
rary, request you will not mention such
an unpleasant subject before-sny wife,
strange. how une0Qrteous, how unlike
all had ever seen or heard Of Edgar.
Dear me I'm exceedingly sorry, I'm sure.
You don't like murders?'
Certainly not, ha e them.'
Whereon the old man settled himself into
his corner to sleep, placid smile upon his
good natured face, and when was sure of
being unobserved | crept closer to Edgar,
and slipped my hand into his. i wish we
were at our journeys end. | wish We were
thus TO soothe him.
How feryentiy | wish it, God only
knows he answered in he same low tones.
drawing inc 10 him; and | trembled as
looked up into hi anxious face. Suddenly
a terrible, scarce defined fear assailed me.
Edgar, 1 whispered, 'yon are not surely
afraid that anything wiIl-will part US
now?''
Would you allow anything 10 part u.s.
Leoniep he inquired sadly.
No power on ear,hr answered. And
though be did not speak, knew that he be-
lieved me.
At about quarter to o'cleck the train
thundeied into the railway station at Kings
Cross, The afternoon had been unusually
dark and gloomy. A dense fog was setting
in. The lamps were GIFTED.
Our fellow-traveller, rousing from his
long slumber, collected bis papers and
placed them in his traveling-bag. As he
closed the lid, he took hold of a label at
tached and turned it over, thus exposing
The address. Without the least desire to do
So. could not help seeing what was writ
ten. 1t was this: 'Septimus Gooderingham,
Charing Cross Hotel
The hotel we were going to ourselves. He
threw bis rug over his arm, took his bag,
then looking around at us, raised his hat
and smiled. The next moment he was lost
in the crowd.
ANY luggage, sir? asked a porter as Ed
gar helped me out of the carriage.
Yes, darling, stay here moment while
go and see TO it,
SO saying, my husband went off with the
porter toward the luggage-va and / was
left standing under the full glare of a gas
lamp, alone.
The moments heightened into minutes,
and with every minute The Gro I'D grew less.
Cab after cab, close by where stood, laden
with boxes, drove off in turn. After what
appeared an age, at length sag three per-
sons coming quickly toward me. The mid
die one was Edgar. Plainly enough could
see three faces in the gas light. Ny h,s.
bands was pale and drawn. and as he came
quite near | noticed nervous twiichng Of
the lips; though, in spite o. it, he tried to
smile.
Darling he said, with an unsteady voice,
but quite loud enol gh TO reach his
companions; darling, | cannot go with you.
This-this-person'- one of the
men---'will accompany YOU 10 The Charing
Cross Hotel, where | telegraphed for rooms
join YOU You may be sure the business
must be imperative thai takes me from
YOU
% Edgarl Business---aowg
Don't make it harder for me, Lesner
And the sorrowful, pleading tone awed me
instantly into silent acquiescence.
The two men mus. have heard each word,
bat kept their eyes averted, aud the peculiar
stoliditv on the counteDance of the one
seemed to reflect itself on that of the other
With silent bandclasp, Edgar and parted
and ] was driven off in cap as fast as the
crowded state Of The London streets permit
ted.
On reaching Charing Cross Hotel, the
man whom Edgar had sent with me on the
box only waited to see the luggage in and
to know the number If the apartments al
lotted TO us--I saw him enter it in his pock-
Ell. book---aDd then, without a word to me,
he departed.
| was shown into handsome suit of
rooms OH the first floor, Numerous candles
lighted up the pretty sitting-room, bright
fire burned /, the CRATE near which was a
small round dining table, laden with fruit
and flowers, aud covers laid for two. The
quantity of lovely flowers made the air heavy
with perfume.
little later on, emerging from the bed
room, found walter removing one Of the
covers. He inquired ii he should serve din
ner then. Not uftiI my husband came,
told him.
Pardon, madam he said deferentiaIly.
but the dinner was ordered for this hour,
and The person who saw 10 the luggage said
mas ha ~ 1.