The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1890-04-19
CHAPTER VI.


A LITERARY AsPIRANT.
Primrose Crescent lies Just off Totem
ham Court Road, and though short dis
lance away the thoroughfare is full of
nose and hustle, everything is compare
lively silent in this crescent. Milk carts
are the most frequent vehicles. and oc-
cas- onally a rakish-looking hanson
makes its appearance, while ragged men
dicants sometimes pay the neighborhood
visit and troll out lively ditties in GIN
ger-cracksd voices. The organ grinder
is not an unknown parsonage either, and
his internal machine may frequently be
heard playing the latest mus .c-hall melo-
dies as he glances round in Sc arch of the
humpl brown.
There are good many boarding houses
to be found in Primrose Crescent, where
city clerks, literary aspirants, and COM
ing actors are to be found. touch OF
Bohemianism pervades the whole sire ct,
and perhaps in the future neat tablets let
into the walls of the houses will inform
posterity that Horatio Mugeins, the cele-
brated poet, and Simon Mephison, the
is as yet far from the quiet street. and
the jewellers therein still struggling
upward or downward as their inclina-
tions NAV lead them.
Mrs. Mulgy was the landlady of one of
these boarding houses, and by dint Of
hard work and incessant watchfulness
managed TO keep the wolf from the door;
but, alas, the wolf was never far off, and
it took al Mrs. Mulgy's time to keep him
at his distance. The basement of her
mansion was devoted to the kitchen. the
pres ding deity of which was pale, thin
looking servant, with a hungry eye and a
deprecating manner, who answered to
the name of Rondalina, which sounded
well and cost nothing.
1t was about / o'clock and Myles Des-
mond sat in his sitting groom scribbling
an article for a society journal, called
Asmodeus, published for the express pur-
pose of unrooting peoples houses end
exposing to the world their private life.
Not that Desmond did such thing, he
would have scorned to violate the sane
tity of private life, but he wrote for all
kinds of magazines and papers, and as
AsmOdeas paid we'll, he now and then
wrote them a smart essay on existing
evils, OF cynical social story.
He was tall young man, with reddish
hair and mustache, a clever, intellectual
face, perhaps not actually good-looking,
but a face that attracted attention, and
when he chose to exert himself he could
talk excellently on the current topics OF
the day. His breakfast lay on the table,
untouched, he having only swallowed a
cup of coffee and then pushed the table
cloth aside to make room for his papers.
Myles looked worn and haggard, as if
he had been up all night, and every now
and then his swift pen would stop as he
pondered over some thought. There was
ring at the bell below, but he took no
notice. This was followed shortly after
ward by knock at the door, and Ronda-
lima glided in, saying gentleman wished
to see him.
Show him in, said Myles. not looking
up. Wonder who it can be?' he mutter-
ed. as Rondalina went out; hang those
fellows, they won't even let me have the
morning to myself.
When the door opened he glanced up
and saw that the new conner was not a
friend, but a tall, gray man whom he did
not know Myles paused with his pen in
his hand, and waited for his visitor TO
speak. looking at him interrogatively
meanwhile.
Mr.. Dowker-for of course it was he
closed the door carefully, and advancing
to the table introduced himself in two
words:
"Dowker-detective
If Myles looked haggard ueiore. he
looked still more SO now. His face grew
pale, and he shot an inq airing glance at
his visitor, who stood looking mournful-
ly at him. Then, throwing down his pen
in an irritable manner, he arose to his
feet
We'll, Mr.. Dowker," he said little
nervously, you want to see me?"
/ do-very particularly" replied Dow
ker, coolly taking seat, and believe
you can guess what its about"
Myles drew MS broWs together and
shook his head.
NO. I'm afraid | can't" he said
coldly
The J,rmyn street murder"
Myles gave kind of gasp, and turned
away toward the mantelpiece. ostensibly
to iii his pipe, but in reality TO conceal
his agitation.
Well, he said IN an nsteady voice,
and what have l to do with it?"
That's what / want to know slid
Dowker, imperturbably.
Myles Desmond glanced keenly at him,
lighted his pipe, resume his seat at the
table and leaning his elbows thereon,
stared coolly at the detective.
You speak III rid lies. he said quietly.
Humph," answered Doyker, mean
ingly: perhaps you can guess them.
Not till You explain them more fully,
retorted Desmond.
1t was evidently a duel between the
men, and they both felt it TO be so
Dowker wanted to find out something
which Desmond knew, and Desmond on
his side was equally determined to hold
his tongue The cleverest man would
win in the end, so Dowker began the bat
tie AT once.
The woman who was murdered was
Lena Sarschine.
Indeed" said Desmond. with stare
of surprise. May l ask how you know"
i hat s not the 20 n retorted Dow
ker quickly. L have satisfied myself as
to the identity Of the murdered woman
YOU We're the last person who saw her
alive"
Is that so:'
Yes. at Lord Collisions chambers.
between II and y o'clock on Monday
night.
Who says | saw herr
Mrs Povy."
Myles Desmon Is lips curled
You seem TO have obtained all your in
formation beforehand" he said with a
sneer; perhaps You'll tell me what you
want % know f ON me-"
Il inst -dId You see Miss Sarschlne on
MOI day"
Yes, l did but in the afternoon. not at
night.
But Mrs. Povy said she called on you
there on Monday night"
Mrs Povy is mistaken, did not see
her.
Did you See anyone at that timer
That's my business"
Pardon me- said Dowker ironically,
but its mine 10. You had better an
swer my questions or you may find your
self in an uneommonly awkward fix.
"Oh, 50 You mean to accuse me OF
/ eua Sar-chlne's murder
That depends, replied Dowker am
Lisuously; tell me what you did on Mon
day night"
Myles thought a moment, aud seeing
his perilous position resolved to answer.
L went to the Friyoiity Theater, then to
the office of the newspaper Hash and af-
terward-"