The morning call., 1890-12-31
JOHN THORNBY'S CRIME.

JUHN THURNBY'S URINE.
TSFgENRY- BLANCHARD and John
EF Thornby. had been lifelong friends.
ES1S At the respective ages of % and 25
they were studying medicine in the same
college in Philadelphia They roomed and
stu died together, and together sought the
few recreations which they snatched be-
tween hours of close application. Both
were honest, manly fellows, and not
ashamed to show their great love for each
other.
- Henry had a sister. Kitty by name and
loyable by ma ture, and it seemed somehow
matter of course that John Thornby should
fallin love with her, or that she should fall.
in lore with him. John and Kitty were en-
gagged and were TO be married upon the
former receiving his diploma -
AT the same medical. college Was young.
man named Herbert Green, a talented and
brave fellow, yet so oyerbearing as to be
personally rather imp opuiar among his
democratic fellow-students. -; =
:. Having intfod uced the persons who are to
figure in this story, the facts shall briefly
follow. =. ~=:;...::'. ;. -. ::
The students, as was then in America and
is now to a limited extent. were given to.
body -snatching an almost necessary. crime
to the deyotees of medical jurisprudence.
Little parties were formed for these night
raids upon neighboTing. cemeteries, and with
one of these depredationS this story has
chiefly to do. :. > = =
II was. pitch-dark night, the stars being
encurtained by lowering clouds: Henry
Blanchard, John. Thornby, Herbert Green
and Lawrence Kane had formed themselves.
into quartet of sacrilegiouS .excurSionists,
with q view to securing a. freshly buried
s. corpse from lonely graveyard just outside
the city limits. At the last moment Blanch-
ard had sent word to the Others that he
would be Unable to 20 with them in the
wagonct that had been procured. bat that he
would ioin them before they reached the
graveyard. The three therefore went with
out him and drove safely to the place, leav-
ing the horses and wagOnet in the shadows
of The trees which skirted the graveyard
Nothing of Blanchard had been seen, and
it was concluded that he had been detained.
The trio removed the digging Implements
from the wagonet, found the newly made
grave and went vigorously to work. They
dug easily through the loose earth, and soon
reached the coffin, which they opened. From
it they lifted the corpse, bore 1t to the wag
onet and returned for the purpose of refill
ing the grave. Scarcely had a shoyelful OF
earth been thrown in before the body
snatchers were startled by the appearance
of fourth figure by their sides.
We are discovered" muttered Thornby
under his breath.
:. 1t was SO dark that the intruder's features
could not be distinguished, and he stood for
amoment motiOnleSs. The blood ran cold
in the veins OF the students, for they well
knew the lenalty that would follow detec-
ton. What should they do?
Who are youY" demanded Thornby.
."If you're a friend speak, or FL brain you
. with this pick-aX.
Ia M rqn1IF and tho payf in
slant the heavy weapon went crashing
through his brain. Thornby bent over the
PROSTATE man, looked into his face, and Ut
tered cry Of horror.
1t was Henry Blanchard!
- JOHN Thornby was a man of iron nerve,
yet he staggered and nearly tell. Then he
spoke: and his voice was husky, and his ut
terance was slow but distinct.
Il have killed my best fFiend!' he said
''but God Knows l thought it was to save
ourselves. Heaven forgive me for my rash
folly, for l shall never forgive myself. But
one thing must be done-poor Harry must
be buried in this grave"
D.. Not another word was said until the dead
man had been buried and the grave had been
Carefully rounded over.
"Uncoyer" Then said John, sternly:
do you. solemnly swear never to reveal
this deed?"
I'VE dol" responded Green and Kane,
Two years after this fearful scene all the
> their diplomas. John Thornby and Her
,Aert Green went together to the home of
the former, where the latter had been in
vited to spend the summer months. John
!Thornby never seemed like his old self
d. since the fatal night.
- During the excitement and inquiry which
followed the mysterious disappearance OF
Henry Blanchard, he had borne up man.
fully; but sheer grief at the death of his
lifelong friend was telling upon his health.
SO dearly, was a. constant reproach to him.
and deeply indeed did he suffer for his rash
act.
Herbert Greer was frequent visitor as
a friend of her affianced, to Kitty, who re-
ceiyed him as such graciously; but she was
far from returning the traitorous love which
he bore for her. One evening he called in
the absence OF 1horDby.
Miss Blanchard, he said, after some
commonplace conversation, during the
short time that / have known you l have
fallen deeply in: love with you. l am a nov
ice in love-making, and can make no pretty
love speeches. Will you be my wife 2"
Don't you know" replied the astonished
Thoraby %
do, pleaded Herbert.
'You are a traitor to your friend" said
the now indignant Kitty; land you ought to
be ashamed for trying to steal from him
what ne prizes most IN al the world. But
John is too noble to suspect you, and if you
will promise not to repeat this insult, will
never tell him what you have done"
Herbert Green left the room without a
word, and with scheme for running his
rival already maturing in his brain. Salts
lied that lie could not win the prize himself,
be resolved that his more fortunate friend
should not possess it. How to carry out his
design he too well knew.
On the following day Kitty Blanchard re-
ceiyed the following note:
Mfss Blanchard: You prefer John Thornby
to me, but are you willing TO marry the murderer
Of your brother. John Thornby killed your
brother and his body lies buried In the West
tenn terry, where you can ind it. If you DO not
believe This, accuse him, aud he dare hot deny it.
HERBERT GREEN.
Kitty's head whirled, and she sank down,
half-fainting. John Thornby found her an
hour later with the crumpled note in her
hand. She did not reply to his greeting,
but silently handed him the paper. He
read It, and was silent too.
Oh John, John" she cried, 'te1l me that
it is false"
Johns face turned white and his hands
went to his throat as if there was choking
there, but his reply came slowly and dis
timely:
ut is true. Kitty; but"
A Shrek came from Kitty's blanched lips,
which interrupted him, and his explanation
was made to maniac.
That night the body of Herbert Green
was discovered, with a bullet in its brain,
and John Thornby was nowhere to be found.
NAVIGATING THE .ZAMREST.