The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-02-13

his legs were broken, and that he had
sustained serious and perhaps fatal in
juries, He fingered along for weeks,
and finally died, and the great burden
of his life was lifted from him. He was
buried by the side of his wife, and beau
tiful mountain flowers soon covered
both graves with .heir bloom. As soon
as the funeral was over Lena, despite
all the persuasions of the people in
town, who pitied her forlorn and lonely
condition, returned to the cabin which
had been her home for several years.
II was about week after the funeral
that singular thing happened. A fine
looking stranger landed one day from
the stage at the one little hotel in town,
and, scarcely stopping for refreshments,
inquired the way to the cabin of the
Thurstons. The curious hangers-on
around the door watched him as he
climbed the hill with feelings of the most
intense curiosity. The long hours to-
ward noon came and went, and still the
stranger fingered, and the sun had gone
behind the western mountains, leaving
only the trace of his glory in the mag
niticent crimson sky, when two figures
were seen coming down the hill in the
fast gathering darkness. Upon coming
nearer they were recognized as the
visitor of the morning and Lena Thurs
ton. Upon the face of the latter there
was a curious expression, seeming the
admixture of sorrow and Joy, or as if
some terrible burden had been lifted
from her. That evening the stranger,
who was hale and hearty looking old
| gentleman of about fifty, called the
landlord into the little sitting-room
where he and Lena were alone, and,
closing the door, told the following re-
markable story, which did much to ex-
plain Thurston's curious and unfriendly
manner during the time he had lived in
camp.
The gentleman said 81 feel that it
is due to the people here who have tried
to be kind to this unfortunate man and
his family that something of the truth
may be known, and any unpleasant
surmises be removed. As the family
lawyer the duty of clearing up a great
mystery devolved upon me, but alas! its
successful solution is reached only in
IlIllC W llnu luG NlCIlIl VI I'LL AWFUL HIS
take and his wife in their graves.
"Charles Thurston was the son of a
wealthy shipowner of Boston. His
father gave him liberal education, and
INDUCED him in every within. In time
his wild associations produced their eff
feet on him, and without being really
wicked, for he had noble nature
at heart, his habits became loose
and somewhat dissipated. Then he met
and loved beautiful girl, and being his
equal in every respect, and thinking it
would have beneficial effect upon his
habits, his parents encouraged the
match In due time there was a grand
wedding, and it seemed that he had
abandoned his old associates and their
dissolute society for the love of this
beautiful and true woman, Then came
a relapse to a certain extent into the old
ways, with some intermissions, one of
which was the birth of a daughter. This
did not last long, and it soon became
known that he was heavilyin debt One
day the town was Mortified by the news
that old Mr.. Thurston had been found
murdered in his room. The sensation
was further magnified by the additional
report that the awful crime was COM
mitted by his son Charles, who robbed
the safe and fed. The crcumstantial
evidence against him was overwhelm-
ing, and the officers of the law looked
high and low for him, but without sue
cess. Meanwhile, as matter of course,
, the affair possessed terrible interest
, for me- One night, after had retired,
my door-bell was rung by messenger
, boy, who delivered note to me worded
? about as follows:
"'Come at once to No. 10l7 Salem street
and you will get important Information
Now the number given to me was
, of an obscure street in a part of the city
! where l was entirely unacquainted
{ but there was something about the
, handwriting which although evidently
, disguised, was familiar to me, and re-
! solved to obey the summons. Calling
/ a carriage was driven to the stree
, mentioned in the note, and, telling tn,
driver to wait for me, walked to No
, 1,017, which / found, to be n somewhat di
! lapidated building which had evidentl
J at one time laid some claim to respect
, ability, but was fast going to decay
Knocking at the door, it was quickl,
! opened by a neat-looking old woman
who was however, stranger to me
: Holding the door cautiously, and ga7
r ing into my face and by the faint lgh
8 of a candle she carried in her hand sh
4 inquired my business, and, upon bein
A informed that | was the recipient of
s. mysterious note, she said 'Ah yes; h
J, is waiting for you-step this way
: al was conducted up one flight o
4 stairs, and upon knocking at the doc
g of back room familiar voice SAID
: Come in In a moment was face t
e face with Charles Thurston, but oil
y how changed. The boyish smile an
l. happy face of my young friend disaE
!, peared, and in their places were care
e worn, haggsrd features, which had age
n terribly in forty-eight hours.
d "'You do not believe me guilty q
l. this horrible crime?p' said Charles, i
e an imploring voice the moment I en-