The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-10-17
A BLooDLEss MURDER.

I Ihad many a time wondered what there
could have been N the past history Ofmy
shipmate, Robert Kendall, that made him
such strange being. There were occa-
sional CLEANS of sunshine which showed
him TO be genial companion, and again
he would grow melancholy when the
song, laugh and jest were at the high
est
We grew very friendly on the voyage,
and one night when We were on watch
together, he said to me; a | suppose you
have wondered many time at my SEEM
ingly strange conduct, but if you knew
all you would have no cause to Won
der"
expressed hope that it was nothing
very serious, and asked if could be of
service to him.
The case is serious enough said he,
but you can judge for yourself, as I am
going to tell you the whole story.
"Five years ago | shipped as second
mate on the bark Kathleen, bound for
Cape Town.
Il had formed an attachment for
country girl named Jennie Leavitt, who
lived near Liverpool. She Was perfection
in my eyes, and believed her to be as
true as she was. fair. We were not for
mally engaged-the most | could extort
from her was promise not to marry any
one else for year.
The first mate Of the Kathleen was
young man named Armstrong with whom
/ was slightly acquainted, and who lived
in the same town that Jennie did, but
did not know that he was acquainted
with her until two days out to sea, when
Armstrong, who was overhauling his
I chest. handed me a small picture, saying
proudly
How do you ike the looks of this girl,
Mr.. KendaIlT
Il held the picture earelessly to the
light and saw the well-known features Of
Jennie Leavitt- controlled myself, and
remarked quietly
"A very pretty girl. Is she any reIa-
tion of yours ?"
@sOh, no, he replied. Not yet, though
I hope she may be very near to me, in
time
hastily hurried on deck lest my feel
ings should betray me, and went about
my duties like an insane person, giving
contradictory and blundering orders. All
my eloquence had failed to get picture
from Jennie, she claiming thst it would
not be right, as we were not engaged. but
she had given me to understand that |
possessed her heart, alone, and had
rested my hopes upon that, and doubtless
Armstrong was doing the same.
Through the remainder of the long
voyage was tossed by conflicting emo
iions, and was feeling very wretchedly
when we came To anchor again in the
Mersey.
AS we lay al anchor letter from
Jennie was brought out to me, in which
she said that she would like to see me
that evening. as she was going away the
next day tc visit some friends up the
country.
=" All any old inEi;uation returned. and
/ took the train that evening, determined
to have an explanation in full. bet once
in my presence | forgot it in my mad
love, more so after l bad exacted sly
promise from her to be my wife.
Il returned to Liverpool to settle up
the voyage and make preparations for our
union, and at the lodging-house l met
Armstrong. who was earnestly perusing a
letter"
1--WE heard from my little girl, Jennie, I"
said he, and she wants TO see me to-
morrow evening.
His words fell on my ear like a thun-
der-bolt She had told me that she was
going away the next morning, and yet
had made an engagement for the next
eveaing.
~Stitiing my emotion, asked " What
is her last Manner
80 Leavift, said he; Jennie Leavitt,
and she is TO meet me under the elm at
the foot Of the lane, where We sat the
night before the Kathleen sailed
There could be no mistake. and
left the house With feelings of stern, un-
relenting hatred TO my promised wife.
. brooded over il all that night and,
the next evening, when Armstrong pre-
pared 10 start. l went to the stationto see
him of, as he thought, but stepped into
an adjoining car and was borne away in
! the same train.