The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1891-11-28
CHAPTER II.
A MYSTERIOUS TRAGEDY,

Ore Every one sprang to his feet.
Crowdlny about the table from wne.st :
the outcry came, they iooke,: TIP 10 tie
ceiling f--o1n whence the drop w''!l,r hl.i
excited the exclamation had apparently
fallen.
A long, irregular crack in the cei:rz
was plainly visible. ct one end, that
over the table, q small, dark spot WA, i.
be seen. Eorison, who had come wifi!
the rest, sprans upon the table. Hardly
had he assumed III. erect position when
the small, dark spot, resolving itself into
q globUle, dropped off, barely escaping
his clothes, being immediately succeeded
by another spot.
1T is BLOOD" he said. st is dripping
through this crack. It must come fro,.,
the floor above Who occupies it,
All eyes were turned upon the German
proprietor. who, in reply to this mute
questioning, said:
81 don't know. Dey hat shoost move
in. DEFY vos kostumers."
'Some one may have been murdered"
suggested voice in the crowd.
In an instant, as if by a common i'm
pulse, every one ran out and mounted
the steps leading to the front door, leav-
ing Dorison alone with the proprietor
The trampliny of many feet upon the
floor above and poundings on the door
for admission was heard.
Clambering down from tho table Dori-
son asked the German If there was not a
rear entrance to the first floor
Vovt haH
door owit and oop the stairs"
Dorison hurried through the door point
ed out. and found at his right fight of
steps, which he assembled quickly. Push
ing open the door at the top he entered
a sheltered veranda. He tried the door
leading into the hall, but it was locked.
He sought the first window opening on
the veranda, and on trying to lift the
lower sash it ran up with ease. 4 cur
tain INSTRUCTED his way, which he push
ed aside and stepped into Il large, square
room, unfurniahel, save by two chairs
and worn carpet. The gas burned
dimly at II side jet
He crossed the room to the sliding
doors, which Were closed. hut he found
no difficulty in throwing one back.
Heavy curtains confronted him; parting
them he passed into 4 room well lighted.
He reco!el with an exclamation OF
horror. At his feet lay the body of Il
woman welterng in her own blood. OF
steady nerves and strong self control, vet
the scene sic!,eHcd him. and he staggered
back almost faint;ng, the while those in
the hall were laundering at the door.
The woman had fallen forward. and
as she had doae so her face had Leen
turned toward her right shoulder. her
right arm stretched out ia if she h:&l
grasped at something and missed it.
Where the neck was exposed s.ua!!
cash was seen. from which the blood
had spurted and streamed in torrents,
covering her dress and all things in her
immediate vicinity. y small stand, evil
IDENTIFY heavily weighted with articles of
Clothing OF fantastic color and shape.
had been overturned in the struggle
which preceded the murder, for tn.
goods were scattered some distance ana
the woman had fallen upon them.
Recovering almost Immediately from
the first shock OF surprise and horror,
Dorison bent over the body. 1t was that
OF young woman. perhaps twenty-s,y
or seven. The face was prepossessing
and he co1sectured she nigh. in life
have been called handsome.
Immediately at his left hand, within
his reach. was a small round table. On
1t were two articles. Barely conscious
OF his act. he stretched forth his hand
and took them up. One was ring, tAe
other IL small, old fashioned oval portrait
in narrow gilt frame.
He was acknowledgements
The portrait was Il picture OF his
father. taken at least twenty years before
his death. Eecoull not trust his senses.
Was his imagination affected by the i.or-
ror OF the scene and playing him tricks.