San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-08-08
A FLOWER OF DEATH.


condition. If you will come to Upington and
see that things are Strengthened out, as they
should be- will make it well worth your time
Yours, as of old, CLAUDE MORTIMER
This note was received soon after my
graduation from college by me, Frederick
Manson, struggling lawyer, from my old
college chum, Mortimer
A few months after launching myself upon
a legal career had picked up newspaper
one day to see an account of the death of
Enos Mortimer, who had been one of the
prominent men of the state. Not more than
three weeks after reading of the death of my
old friends father, came across, in the same
newspaper, on account of a mysterious MUIR
der | was startled and Mortified when
read the name of the murdered man. 1t was
Victor Mortimer, Claude's brother The per-
son who committed the deed was unknown.
In response to the note | went.
There were tears in Claude's eyes when he
took my hand, and his voice shook as he
said:
81 am glad to see you, Manson, but sorry
that our meeting is at time so fraught with
sorrow to me"
He looked twenty years older than when
saw him last. Dissipation had left its marks
on his handsome face, and there was very
perceptble sprinkling Of white in his hair.
Under the hand of affection, the old jolly
light had died out of his eyes, which to me
seemed to be strangely aversive and restless.
That evening as we sat in Claude's favorite
room he told me the story of the murder.
did not ask him to do so, but of his own free
will he told me of the terrible deed His
brother Victor had been alone in the man
sion at the time that he fell the victim of an
assassin. Claude had been with him that day,
but had ridden away late in the afternoon,
and had put up for the night at small vii
lage, twelve miles away. In the morning he
had continued on his journey, to be recalled
by message stating that his brother had
been murdered.
He came back and found Victor dead, hav-
ing been killed in the hall of his own house
by blow on the head with some heavy in
strument, that had crushed his skull like an
egg she'll The object of the murder was evil
IDENTIFY robbery, for the dead mans pockets
had been Tifed. Detectives had been EN-
piOyed, and within a weeks time some of the
stolen valuables were found upon the body
Of an unknown man, who was discovered
coating in a small pond twenty miles from
the scene Of the crime.
| listened to Claude'S story in silence, re-
framing from asking any questions that
might cause him greater suffering. He seemed
disappointed by this, and for a long time
dwelt upon the popularity of the murder, his
absence from the place at the time of its oc.
currence, and the final discovery of the va
grant who undoubtedly committed the crime
He appeared very nervous, as if depressing
an excitement that he did not wish observed
After time | succeeded in drawing his
thoughts from the murder, and for an hour
we talked of other things During all the
time that We had been in the room Claudes
eyes had every now and then sought a dis
tant corner. Finally looked in that direc-
ton and perceived an immense flower Dot full
of earth, from which grew the stock of
large lily. The lily was in bloom, and at once
my attention.
'WhGt strange appearing flowery' l ex-
claimed, as | arose to examine it.
Claude sprang up and rushed past me.
YES, it is strange" he replied, with i'll
excitement. Don't touch it,
believe the thing is poiSon!"
What makes you think so?' asked.
"ldon't know" he answered, little wildly.
a week ago it was almost snowy white:
since then it has changed till it has become
what you now see. At first | thought it was
dying; now do not know what to think"
| could not binish all thought of the
strange flower from my mind at once, and
that night fell asleep thinking of it. All
night long was tortured by horrible dreams
Of murder and bloodshed, and in all my Wis
ions the lily figured prominently l was
very glad when morning came.
Enos Mortimer had left will which cuI
or his son Claude with a dollar All his
property had been begueathed to Victor but
he had stated in the will that at Victor's
death the property should go to the next of
kin. As Victor had died unmarried, ''the
next Of kin" must be his only brother, Claude
could see but liCtle trouble in settling the
affair quickly and easily, and could hardly
why Claude had sent 50 far for
me when legal service could have been OBJ
tanned much nearer home.
Meantime had moved my practice to Up
ngton. | had discovered that there was a
better field there, and at once awaited myself
Of what seemed to be- goodope@:%E. Strange
to say, Claude did not seem 10 approve of the
step. lie did not openly express his disap
prevail, still his manner spoke fully as plain |
Is words. Nevertheless, we still remained |
friends
Claude was utterly changed from his former
oviai self. He had lost all his old jolly ways
md seemed like man haunted by a fearful |
memory. He was nervous and unsociable |
md his former twinkIing eyes seemed filled |
With a shifting, unsteady light The lines |
lpon lis fac grcw deeper, and the white that |
IGgel his ha.T crew more percsp,Ib,e
S-r" -alv ea9"Eh, after my removal TO Up !
ngtgm :..r OH ..i-ni dill not us,; me 10 call |
.laya him. lu- ! G'j NOT wait taraA invita- |