The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-06-14
MYSTERY WELLCLOSE
 SQUARE.
CHAPTER I.

SoaI EN
 In chambers situated in one ofthe inn. of Fleet street two men were seated, one evening m October, at a comfortable fire The elder ofthe two, stout, full-bearded man, about thirty five years of age, held an evening paper in front of him, oc casionally reading aloud and making comments on the news. His companion who was sitting rather forward in hi. chair, with one foot on the fender, and a long pipe in his mouth, was daIk.haired paie-faced, slender, and scarcely twenty i've years of age. He was evidently pay. ing little attention to his companion.
 Here's something that may interes, you at last, Manton," said the stout man for see you're not enjoying the scraps of scandal and the political trifies have been regaling you with"
 What is It 7" asked Edward Manton moodlly, without lifting his head.
 Listen will read it aloud for you :r and the speaker, Robert Bompas, began
 Distressing Suicide in Wellclose Souare.-About two o'clock this after noon the body of young married wo- man named Margaret Hels,on was found ln her bedroom at No. - Wellclose Square, her throat cut from ear to ear. We learn on inquiry that she was the wife Of sailor, whose ship is at present discharging in one of the docks. The woman, who had been for several months a lodger at No. - and was married only SIX months previously, was alone in the house at the time she committed the aw- tdl deed. She happened to be the only iodger on the premises, and the landlady was out marketing from about o'clock until ?. When she returned, she went to the room of the deceased, who had ordered some things 10 be brought for her, and was mortified to discover the body on the floor Tn a pool of blood. The deceased held razor, the property of her husband in one hand. No motive tor the act can be assigned, as it is known that husband and wife lived on affection ate terms.'
 Read tha, again." said Mauton ex- citedly, laying down his pipe.
 90 II IS possible to arouse you after all never before saw you looking SO dull, until this suicide turned up. I nope you haven't been contemplating suicide yourself" laughed Bompas. " Unfortunate woman! Well, here goes" and again he read the paragraph aloud.
 When he had finished the recital, Man. ton rose to his feet, and began to pace slowly up and down the room.
 Wha, on earth ails you ?' asked hi, companion
 That's an early edition of the paper. isn't i;:' said Manton, needless of his friends inquiry.
 Yes"
 Wili you run out and buy a later edi- tion, like good fellow? wouldn't ask you' but l have got my slippers on. I was ured'afier my day $ tramp, and took of my boots before you came lu."
 bomPas, gazing somewhat uneasily at ms friend, rose, and putting on his hat, said:
 Whats the matter, old fellow?- In love, are you! :"
 I'll tell you when you come back perhaps. Be sure you ge, the lates, edi- tion."
 When Bompas returned, Manton almost suatched the newspaper from his hand, and opening |. out, read aloud in rather an inaudible tone:
 The Wellclose Square Suicide.-No tarner intelligence of importance has reached us in connection with the tragedy m Wellciose square. The husband of the deceased, an English sailor employed ID the ship Bangkok, now lying in St. katharine's dock, was prostrated with grief and horror when he was summoned to his wife's apartment. He, too, is quite unable to account for the unfortunate womans act. He left her at 6 o'clock that morning in good spirits, and had arranged to meet her at a music hall in the neighborhood about o'clock. He had been at work all day in his ship until he was summoned home by the bearers of the sad ness"
 am wrong then," cried Manton. tiineing the paper from his hand; "i thought 1t was her husband who ad mur- dered her"
 Murdered her!" exclaimed Bompas. What are you thinking of? The wo. man committed suicide
 She did not" said Manton, with em- phasis.
 And pray what do you know of the case-beyond what VIC have read in the newspapersT
 Not much, certainly, but I'll tell you strange story tomorrow evening. I may know something then"
 Why not give me . share in your se- cret nov-if you have . secret ?"
 Because l have a reason of my own. That's all Don't be offended at my orusqueness. l am bit upsee this even- ing, old fellow. There, let us forget all about 1t, and turn our thoughts into some more pleasant chAnnel.n
 With all my heart. Upon my soul, you have almost ffightened me with your insane remarks about that woman."
 Next morning Manton found Bompas seated al the breakfast-table with morn- ing paper in his hand. There were sev. eral other newspapers on the floor in front of him.
 "l did not intend to speak of this wretched business at Wellclose square until evening" said the elder man. as Manton entered the room; "but-.
 ls there any further news then?" in. .9uired the younger man.