The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-02-05

UlIliluvn~ Illat came uDuef
my own observation, however, contro-
verts this statement. have morbid
habit of imagining the crimes that GER
tain persons of my acquaintance might
commit, if given the temptation and
opportunity. No doubt this mental
peculiarity of mind is due to my occu-
patton, that of detective.
/ had been sent to Paris upon bust
ness connected with a bank robbery,
and having no charge upon my return
voyage was at liberty to employ my
leisure time in studying my fellow-pas-
sengers.
was especially fascinated by
young husband and wife, of whom l
could not learn much except that they
were New-Y orkers and bore the name
of Tracy.
Though l never exchanged a dozen
words with the lady, yet she won my
deepest sympathy, from a certain wist-
full expression of her beautiful eyes-a
look which l imagine often character
izes neglected wife.
The gentleman was always affable.
and a general favorite; still, could
not rid myself of the conviction that
he'would help his gentle, delicate wife
out of the world if he had any power
full incentive to the crime
European voyages were rather longer
- those days than they are now. Ours
was at first prosperous one. The
good ship sped on, through bright days
and starry nights, until we were near
ing New York; then fierce storm
q a
week most of our passengers were too
sick to care whether we ever reached
our destination or not. Then the gale
abated, and we resumed our occupa-
Jtions.
Mr.. and Mrs. Tracy did not appear,
however. and | was shocked and star
tied to learn that the lady had died
during the storm, supposedly from
heart disease, aggravated by sea sick
ness, aud her body had been consigned
TO the watery deep. The funeral had
been hurried, in compliance with the
demands of superstitious sailors, who
in some way learned of Mrs 1racy's
death, and insisted that a corpse on
board would sink the ship.
OF course the explanation of the
lady's sudden death seemed reasonable
enough TO everybody except myself.
Grave suspicious haunted me that the
poor, sad-faced little wife had been
foully murdered, without a hand hay
ing been raised either to help or
avenge her.
But | kept my own counsel, for if. a
crime had been committed all evil
dences of it had been swallowed up
by the sea, and bringing the guilt
home would be a hopeless undertaking.
So | tried TO dismiss the affair from
my mind; but. at night, in my state
room, pair of soft, dark eyes seemed
to haunt me, pleading for help. / had
no opportunity to see the widower, for
he remained constantly alone in his
state-room, evidently in too deep aflic-
ton to come among us.
We arrived in New York two weeks
behind time, and / found a great deal
of business waiting for me at the Blu
reau. My attention was occupied by a
hundred new cases, still | was often
haunted by Mrs. Tracy's sad eyes, and
the old suspicious would arise as to the
causes that led to her mysterious death
at sea.
This was a case in which ! had men
tally volunteered my services, vet so
far could see mo thoroughfare" TO
the end desired. And now, strangely
enough, / frequently encountered Mr.
Tracy, the widower, In my wander
ings, and l occasionally devoted some
of my leisure time to shadowing him,
so that i became pretty we'll acquaint-
ed with his mode of life, which was not
at all that of a sorrow-stricken man
it was, in fact, decidedly gay career
in which he was indulging.
Time rolled on, until it was nearly q
year since my returnfrom Europe, and
with all my experience not a ghost of
aplan for bringing the gay widower to
justice had one presented itself TO my
mind In this emergency one even
ing confided the story TO my sister
Rose, whose quick intuition had often
thrown light upon some obscure point
dn cases / was studying.
She was interested at once, and after
little reflection said:
IF you will contrive some way TO
bring that man here a few times in q
social way. think / will find out some
plan to force full confession from
him"
I smiled little doubtfully at this,
Is answered: IL hope you will, SIS.
ter mine, yet remember, we have not
n particle of evidence against him
Even the ships surgeon was i'll at the
time of Mrs, Tracy's death and una
BILE to attend her"
"Yes. know all that" answered
Rose, "but you bring him here and
think we will force a full confession
from him before many weeks roll by.