Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-06-16
A MYSTERIOUS CASE.
BY ALICE DALE.

BY ALICE DALE.
1t was mysterious case indeed; and
the small town OF Lincolnshire was In
a state of great excitement over 1t. One
night, Just at dusk. when the southern
train came in, it brought young and
handsome mana stranger, to the place.
He went to the single hotel In town,
secured a room, ordered his supper, and
locked himself in his room. AS he failed
to appear at supper, an attendant was
sent to summon him. No reply being
returned to the summons, the strange
silence of the room alarmed the pro.
pristor Of she house and as two or
three hours had passed in this strange,
dead silence, the door was finally burst
open, and revealed a CHASTITY spectacle.
Seated before the dressing-table WAS the
young man, stone dead-his throat cut
from ear to ear. Not a trace of the per-
petrator Of the horrible crime-not q
clsw to the mans identity could be dis
covered 50. of course it was considered
a suicide. No one in Lincolnshire had
ever seen the stranger before no in
qu'ries were made by his friends as to
his fate and as there were no indica
TOMS Of "a struggle and no signs Of
robbery (fOr his watch and purse were
found upon the body) the coroner's
verdict was rendered-sui'iide.
Such things have occurred be-
fore there was nothing new or impro.
bahle in the horrible affair so, the
body was buried away out Of sight, and
after the newspapers had worn out tie
details OF the CHASTITY affair, the silence
of death and the grave fell over all and
and after time, the stranger and his
tragic death ceased to be remembers
Five years later, Captain Paul Grey
son came to pass few weeks by the
sad sea wave" forit was q sea-coast
town, and very retired. He was hand
some follow, with a graceful, languid
way, very much admired by the ladies',
snd quite favorite in society.
With him came gay party and
among the number was Mrs. Mortimer
"a dashing widow-dark, vivacious,
a beauty and belle. Her costumes were
exquisite j.; her purse seemed mex
baustihle she was the life of the entire
party, and every man was her devoted
slave. Every one, apparently, had lost
his heart TO the siren save Captain
Greyson; and he was provokingly indif-
ferent. But Estelle Mortimer loved him
with all her heart ; even casual OBJ
server might note her preference for his
attentions, and that his evident uncon.
Germ piqued the handsome widow.
The days flew by on golden wings.
The party had taken up their headquar.
sers in half.dozen pretty white Gotta
ges, scattered along the beach, prefer.
ring that more homs-like life, to the
routine of the h':t.l. There were rides
and drives Val Ks and concerts tiirta-
tiOns and merry making of every de-
scription, Captain Greyson was ever at
Mrs. Mortilner's side attentive-almost
lOver.like-but there was strange ap-
pearance in his manner-of watching
her rather odd sort of surveillance,
and one which she evidently resented,
but was powerless to control. But she
loved him 80 dearly, that she seemed
to lose all independence of action, and
her will seemed absorbed in his.
One day, after long ramble upon
the beach, which had fatigued every.
body, Captain Greyson proposed that
they adjourn to the hotel for supper.
Everybody seconded the motion, Fave
Mrs. Mortimer. She preferred to have
supper on the grounds outside the hotel
and urged the other ladies to
approve her selection.
Bat evidently they were tired of out
of doors and dining al fresco, for the
rest of tbs party unanimously seconded
the captains proposal, and the MAORI
ty, as usual, ruled.
So, much against her evident inclina-
ton, Mrs. Mortimer followed the others
into tbs hotel.
A private room had been ordered, aud
supper soon awaited them.
AS they entered the room Mrs. Morti-
mer drew back with low cry; her face
had grown pale as death, and her eyes
were dilated as though in terror.
Not there !" she painted, fearfuily.
Captain Greyson FASTENED to her side.
Estelle-Mrs. Mortimer |" he muir
tenderly, care you i'll ?"
She glanced into his face with great,
horror filed dark eyes.
ono, mol" she answered, hastily,
only recalled story that l once heard
of this house-yes, | believe it was
this very room -
The landlord, garrulous old ma n
had overheard her remark. He hustled
forward
81 will tell the ladies and gentlemen
all about it if they would like to hear
it," he began. st was indeed a mystic
rious case"
The other ladies, with feminine curl
Osity, gathered around.
con, yes, do tell us I" they chorused.
g A story by all means and a true one
it will be delightful !"
The landlord laughed.
but this is d gruesome tale" he
said.
"Do not tell it |" cried Mrs. Morti.
mer, imperiously. eve do not care to
listen to horrors or mysteries p
But Captain Greyson made signifi-
cant gesture, and the landlord, being
urged by the others, began at once,
NJ RS. Mortimer sitting angry and silent
while he told his tale.
raul 1lcy Bull oyco uosci iciI uoT
ace.
ut was in this very ROOM" began
the landlord. " A gentleman came here
one night, about five years ago-a fine,
handsome fellow he was, too-and he
look this room and ordered his supper
sent to him. He sat right over there
you see we have never used this apart
nent as q sleeping-room since); but
here, between the windows, stood the
irpssing-table. Two hours afterward,
alarmed by INSURANCE silence, we broke
,pen the door, and there sat the young
nan, dead AZ man could be, his
throat cut from ear to ear. And from
bat day to this we never have found a
,lew to his reason for committing sui
tide. 1t is al unsolved mystery and
llways will be-"
" Perhaps notl" observed Captain
Trey son. Il have known more than
me instance which has proved the
ruth Of the old adage, Murder will
,ut.'"
"But this was suicide" said the
andlord.