Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-05-11
A SINGULAR STORY.
A Girl Unravels q Strange New Jersey
Mystery.

mystery.
RAILWAY IN. J.). May 9th.-Rahway has
another mystery, which Miss Grace Bent
wick pretty girl of nineteen years, solved
last week. Her uncle is a wealthy farmer
and sheep-raiser. A month ago shep-
herd came to Mr.. Bentwick in great alarm
and said two of his finest animals were
killed during the night, their Threats being
cut from ear to ear. 1t seemed impossible
that dog should have done it. The next
night two more were killed the same way.
Two men were hired to patrol the farm
buildings. Nothing happened, but the
next morning news came that farmer fif-
teen miles away had lost two sheep during
the night. Since then not night has
passed without some farmer having sheep
killed. Last week Mr.. Bentwick was to go
away from home, and his niece was asked
to prepare his breakfast early. She was
afraid if she went TO bed she would over
sleep. She determined to pass the night in
the kitchen. She was not afraid, as she
had an immense Siberian mastiff, who was
locked in the kitchen all night. She is in
the habit of feeding it, and it seemed at
tached to her.
After the family had gone to bed the
girl sat reading some time, and then moved
to the fire and seated herself on the floor,
with her back against the dogs tawny
back, and fell asleep. She was aroused by
feeling the dog gently move. She half
opened her eyes, and what she saw aroused
her to full consciousness.
In some mysterious way the dog seemed
changed. His eyes were shining like two
Goals of fire, and he was looking at her
with an expression of almost human hate
The skin was drawn back from the teeth
and his whole body was trembling with
spring to her feet and rush from the room,
but at the first movement the dog growled
savagely, and she fell back on the floor.
Through her half-closed eyes she watched
every movement of the great beast.
Slowly he rose to his feet, and with the
soft tread of a cat walked around her, put
his great head close 10 her face felt her hot
breath, then, thinking her asleep, he stole
toward the small window
Overcome by curiosity Miss BentWick
rose to her feet. With one bound the dog
was at her side again and on the point of
springing at her throat. She sank into her
chair and closed her eyes, waiting to feel
the dogs teeth in her throat and afraid to
call for help. After moment of frightful
agony she partially opened her eyes and
saw the dog standing Immediately in front
of her, with the expression of a man-eat-
ing tiger on his face Miss Grace had
selfconuol enough to feign sleep, and this
saved her life. After a while the dog
seemed convinced she was asleep. He
slowly approached the window, looking
back every step. 1t was old-fashioned and
opened with latch. When in front of it
he raised himself on his hind legs and
with one paw gently raised the bolt and
the window came open. Then be returned
and took survey of Miss Bentwick. She
was still motionless. Then he sprang
through the window and disappeared.
Miss Oracle then tainted. She was
brought back to consciousness by heavy
weight pressed against her and something
wet falling on her. Through her half
closed lids she saw the dog standing over
her, paw on each shoulder, looking in
her face. Something wet was dripping on
her dress from the dogs jaws. After
while the dog left her, stretched himself
out quietly and went to sleep.
She sprang for the door, the dog after
her, but she got out, held the door and
screamed until help came. Mr.. Bentwick
armed himself and entered the kitchen.
He was surprised to find the windows
raised and the dog sleeping. apparently
He thought his niece was dreaming. but on
her dress were little pools of blood. Two
more sheep were killed that night and the
Siberian dog was the murderer. Mr. Bent
wick concluded to kill the dog, and was
leading him out, when Grace came into the
room. The dog sprang frantically at her,
but ball from Bentwick's pistol killed
him.