Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-13
THE BOND ROBBERY.

LIE DUND EUDDER1
1t was a Jolly little farm house. had
been past the place many times, and
scented with pleasure the honeysuckles
which grew upon the side-only a few
miles from Chicago.
One would have thought the place be-
longed to some old couple who, after hay
ing passed laborious life, had retired
here for peace and content. Still the
shadow of death had passed over the little
house, and as | rode up TO the gate one
morning l caught glimpse Of q pale faced
young girl, with her long, disheveled hair
about her neck and shoulders and her eyes
red with weeping, who was looking down
the road with anxious eyes.
left the carriage hastily, and q rather
smart looking young man, who offered to
take charge of the horse, took my place.
The interior of the cottage was in keep
ing with the outer adornments, which had
been so lavishly supplied by nature; but
the blinds were closely drawn, and there
was an air of gloomy depression that was
almost suffocating. The young girl had
opened the door for me, and she drew
back with a graceful bow as | entered,
but, without speaking, pointed the way to
an inner room. She seemed overwhelmed
by some recent grief that deprived her Of
the power of making an effort of the COM
mon courtesies naturally expected of one
apparently well bred. But she. was re-
heved of her embarrassment by an elderly
lady, who came forward and welcomed
me as one who had been long and anx-
iously expected.
& frnrpn tna rhiaf of tho Cbfco
police, introducing me, informed them
that had been detailed to visit the house,
and that the nature of the CASE had been
confided 10 me. enjoined secrecy upon
them as TO my real character, instructing
them to answer any inquiries by saying
that was a distant connection of God
frey Holmes. who now lay lifcless under
the roof, as the doctor had said, from the
effects of poison.
had secretly finished these prelimina-
ries when the young man who had taken
charge of my horse strobe into the room.
He was introduced as Charles SaXby, and
was muscular, rather handsome man,
with piercing gray eyes, and an expression
of considerable intelligence. He was such
a person as i would have selected for any
employment requiring a large amount of
a certain easy GOODNESS in his manner that
led me to think he had not been bred in
the country, and l subsequently learned
that he had been a student at law in an
eastern college, and had come west for
the double purpose of recuperating his
health and pursuing his studies more
cheaply.
The family at the cottage had consisted
nf lacancaI
widowed sister of his deceased wife, and
his daughter AmeliG. Upon the death Of
his beloved wife, Mr.. Holmes had de-
clared his intention Of remaining q
widower, and his wife's sister, quiet,
unassuming woman, had taken charge of
his housekeeping.
Amelia, the daughter, was now in her
18th year, her figure very elegant and her
appearance graceful Her face was very
sweet, her eyes dark brown and abund-
ant hair of the same color was twined
about her head.
One would have thought the natural
consequence of being thrown almost con-
stantly into the society of as handsome a
man as SaXby, she would have lost her
heart to him. But the very opposite TO
this was the fact, and he could have left
the place at any moment without regret
upon her part. Her father, however, had
been much engaged by him, and had often
limited to his housekeeper that he was
sure he would be quite satisfied with such
a sOn-in-law.
The entire neighborhood shared in this
good opinion of Saxby. He and Amelia
would make such a splendid match, they
said Both were so handsome, so intelli.
gent, SO similar in their tastes: besides.
were they not admirably matched as to
worldly prospects. SaXby had no wealth,
il is true: but he came of a family Of in
flucnce, and with the fortune Mr.. Holmes
would be able TO give he could rise high
in the world Amelia did not need TO
marry for money, for although her father
possessed little landed property, was he
not rich in the best securities OF the gov
ecnmenp
So indeed, he had been; but upon the
very night of his decease all his stock and
bonds, gold and mortgages and his pri-
waite papers had disappeared, and no one
could tell whittier they had flown.
Here, then, were the two terrible cir
cumstances Of robbery and suspected muir
der, combining to bring utter desolation
and ruin 10 the family, SO peaceful but
few brief hours before. II Is little Won
der that the grief stricken girl had stood
pale and motionless in my presence when
she knew the occasion Of nv coming.
About an hour after my arrival a car
riage was driven mp 10 the farm house,
and two portly gentlemen in black coats
alighted and came intcshe cottage They
carried two small cases with them which
brought disagreeable remembrance to
me, for knew they contained the glitter
ing trepanning knives and scalpels which
had been 'pisplayed before my gaze on
numerous painful occasions. Soon after
ward the coroner arrived, accompanied by
y number of the neiahbors, from whom he
proceeded to impanel Jury.
While her aunt was busy receiving
these individuals, l had an opportunity
for short interview with Ameha. and
learned from her at that time much that
was useful in my subsequent investiga-
lions.
Tn. post rnortem examination was ~
Iength concluded, and, somewhat 70 my
the surgeons declared that the
opinion CT the OLD gentleman's physician,
hat death had resulted from poisoning,
was incorrect. Death had supervened
rom sudden. congestion of the heart,
here was not the slightest trace Of foul
llay, and the necessary certificate for In
5erment was granted. When l subse-
,uently learned that Mr.. Holmes had sud-
ienlv fallen dead, and that his doctor had
not reached. him until. Ions. latter the |