Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-24
A THRILLING STORY OF CRIME IN
NEW YORK CITY.
From the Private Memoranda of In
spector Alex. S. Williams,
New York Police.
By FREDERIC NJ. DEFY.
ysr York World.

spread out before him, when the clock
struck 10.
Then he pushed the papers aside,
lighted a cigar and Strolled out TO the
Sergeant'S desk.
almost time 10 cry Merry Christ
mas Captain" remarked the Sergeant.
''Therell be many full stocking in the
city tonight"
Aye, responded the Captain, and
many an empty one. II every stocking
i'm town could be filled tonight we could
close the station houses for twenty-four
hours and the Department could take
day of Happiness and crime can't
travel in the same heart.
At that instant the street door opened
and a woman hastily and nervouSIy en-
tered
She made her way with all speed 20
the desk. and, casting aside her veil.
revealed a face of the most marvellous
beauty.
Her features were clearly cut and a.
regular aS those Of the Venus de Milo,
and her eyes were large and a black as
sloeS Her face was that of pronounced
brunette. but there was death-like pal
Tor upon il.
of intense excitement suppressed only
with exceeding difficulty.
sir" she said. speaking rapidly and
addressing the Sergeant, Twill you per
nit an officer To accompany me 10 my
house,"
What is the trouble, Madam I'M
quired the Sergeant What has hap
pcned?"
~Oh, sir. nothing has happened, but
fear that which may happen. Will you
permit IN officer TO return with mc2'
Certainly, if YOU will only give me
good reason for doing 50. What j. 30
that you fear?"
In one word. Sir-Death.''
.Eh9 WHAT Death Whose Your
own"
YES, sir.
Madam. if you will kindly explain
you shall Dee protected, ! assure You:
but the mere statement that YOU have
made is scarcely sufficient
Enough, sir"
With q quick motion she turned and .
faced the Captain, who was standing
only "a few feet away.
Are yOu not Capt Williams. sir?
she asked.
- am, ne fcpiicu-
You command this precinct
Il do"
''Will you, then. permit me 10 leave I
here. unaccompanicd, when have /
stated that my life is in danger, and .
that ! desire the protection of an otii- .
GERS presence
You shall be afforded every protec
tion il YOU will only tell uS what 10 is .
frs~t.f
shadows. Give us the facts.
She heSitated an instant.
lit is impossible for mo 10 tell YOU .
exactly what 10 is thai fear, sir. be- /
cause do not know. IL see that .
baye been very foolish should have /
known beg your pardon. gentlemen: /
doubtless my fears are groundleSS.'
Turning hastily, She passed towards I
the door and would have left them with /
out another word had not the voice of .
Captain Williams arrested her
wait one moment, Madam, he said. /
Had YOU any real cause for stating I
that your life was i'm danger?'
II fancied that had, sir
Has any one threatened you?'
My life has been threatened.
All, When, and by whom
''One year ago, and Boy one who. /
have every ceaSon TO believe will keep /
his word"
a year ago.
''One year ago tomorrow; YES, SIR
You have been i'm mo- haste, Madam,
90 seek the protection of the police.
you are laughing at me, sir, a.
have laughed at the threat-nntil to- /
night. and her voice sunk 10 a wills
per. as her great black eyes glanced /
quickly and appreheuSively around her. 1
why until tonight" asked the /
Captains deep. calm voice.
christmas Day one year ago, she 4
said. in a low, melancholy voice. be /
gan very happily for me and ended IN I
great sadness. was told, then, IN /
words that knew were uttered with /
deep meaning that / would not live To
see another Christmas
Il was frightened then, but my fears
wore away with time until nearly Tor
got them. But tonight, the last night /
of the year that was given 10 me 10 live,
they returned with a force that could I
not overcome.
Il sat by myself I'm my roomS-ior /
live alone. sir. with no one but maid.
who also is companion -drcading .
thousand untold dangers, without know
ing which way TO turn Co avoid them.
endeavored 20 convince myself that +
my fears were grOuudlesS, that nothing
could harm me there. and yet, IN every
lurking shadow saw the menacing /
hand Of death: in every sound ] heard ?
croan. until il seemed aS though the .
room were filled with shapes and
and could not bear il, /
dcd. / ,old my maid that had an cr- 7.
rand out and D came here. What time .
is itn Only little past 10? All. l +
have lived a year since darkness fell. f.
You will say that fears are nothing but
fancies. Even 50, they are none the
less genuine; none the less real. feel, /
nav. I know. that il am left alone to- .
morrow morning will find me-dead." .
Her whole form ,remblcd with ner- T.
.vou>ucS> as she ceased speaking and .
she tottercd UpeD her feet Is though .
her strength wefe insufficient to sup
port her.
''Step into my 0Ace.' said the Cap
tain kindly There is fire In the /.
CRATE, and youVaU rest and warm your +
self while YOU tell We the entire story. f.
/ do not think that YOUR fears are fan
cied. and the best way In which 20 rid .
yourself Of them is 20 reveal them 90
one who deals In nothing but hard facts. .
She followed him Obediently aud he
placed % chair for her in front Gf the
glowing Goals.
''Nil YOU give me your name and
address," asked the Captain.
Adelaide StrattOu. l live ON West
Thlrty-third street. between Fifth and
Sixth avenues Listen sir and ] Will F.
tell Won iu few words l can all there .
Is 90 cell.
My history, until little more than q f