Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-07-12
A FLOWER OF DEATH.

A FLOWER OF DEATH.
DEAR FRIEND MLNSoN-You have doubtless
heard of my fathers death and the terrible
murder Of my brother. My father left rather
peculiar viii, and the sickness and death OF his
legal adviser still leaves affairs In an unsettled
condition II you will come to Upington and
see that things are Strengthened out as they
should be- will make 1t 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
legal career l had picked up a 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, an 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 a very
perceptible sprinkling of white in bis 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 Claudes favorite
room be told me the story of the murder. l
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 tho afternoon,
and had put up for the night at a 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, hay
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 rifed. Detectives had been EN-
ployed, and within weeks time some of the
stolen valuables were found upon the body
of an unknown man, who was discovered
floating in q 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 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 l succeeded in drawing his
thoughts from the murdsr, and for an hour
we talked Of other things. During all the
time that we had been in the room Claude's
eyes had every now and then sought dis
tant corner. Finally looked in that direc-
ton and perceived an immense flower pot full
of earth, from which grew the stock of a
large lily. The lily was in bloom, and at once
attracted my attention.
What a strange appearing flower" ex-
claimed as | arose to examine it.
"Yes it is strange" he replied, with i'll
concealed excitement. Don't touch It'll /
believe the thing is poison"
'What makes you think soF" l asked.
81 don'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"
l could not Danish 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 bly, figured prominently. l was
very glad when morning came
Enos Mortimer had left a will which cut
off bis son Claure with a dollar All his
property had been bequeathed 10 Victor, but
be had stated in the will that at Victor's
death the property should go to the next of
kin. As Victor had died unmarried, 1.-The
next Of kin" must be his only brother Claude.
j could see but little trouble in settling the
affair quickly and easily, and could hardly
comprehend why Claude had sent so far for
me when legal service could have been OBJ
tanned much nearer home.
Meantime had moved my practice to Up
ington. | had discovered that there was
better field there, and at once awaited myself
of what seemed to bea good opening. Strange
to say, Claude did not seem to approve of the
step. he did not openly express his disap-
proval, still his manner spoke fully as plain
as words Nevertheless, We still remained
friends.
Claude was utterly changed from his former
jovial self. Re had lost all his odd jolly ways
and seemed like man haunted by fearful
memory. he was nervous and unsociable,
and his former twinkling eyes seemed filled
with shifting, unsteady light The lines
upon bis face grew deeper, and the white that
tinged his hair grew more perceptible
Strangely enough, after my removal to Up
ington my old friend did not ask ME to call
upon him; but / did not wait for on liz ia
ten One day | called found him in his
favorite room, and instinctively looked for
thG.,,;lv, A g.: burst from my lips as did so