Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-05-10

tlcal business Sagaclty, mas livery
Imagination; and, as the miser steals off
TO count his money, or the lover to sere-
made his lady love, so had Harry become
infatuated with the idea of spending an
unsupported night in his new house. He
woule not share with any other that
virgin experience, and it would be agree
able in after years, amid the stir and
voices of an OVERLOOKING family and
social life, to look back upon this first
night of solitude and meditation.
With an inward smile of satisfac-
tion, accordingly, Harry Trent ascends
the steps and puts his key into the
lock. The door yields before him and
swings on noiseless hinges but as he
closes it the hollow sound resounds
through the darkness. Hereupon,
presently, steps are heard in the dis
lance, and light appears, carried In
the hand of the faithful caretaker,
who, with his wife, maintains guard
in the basement. Strictly speaking, Of
course, Harry will not pass the night
alone, nor, perhaps, can man Of his
business and social Importance ever hope
to escape entirely from the knowledge
and supervision of his fellows. 1t was
possible that several persons might
know of or suspect his present where
abouts. But, on the other hand care
takers can hardly be said to count as
occupants, and ii man believes his
movements to be untraced, he is just as
content, for the time being, as though
they really were SO.
"You're not doing at your post, /
see, sergeant" says Harry, for the man
was veteran of the war. "How is
Mrs. Simpson,"
SIN good health, sir, and thank'ee;
we wasn't looking for you so late"
1.-THE fact is, sergeant, I've come to
spend the night. Is the bed ready?"
SIT is, sir, and a good fire in the
CRATE"
"That's right! | want to find out,
you see, what sort of dreams the new
house will give me-"
MAY they be good ones, sir; you'll
come honestly by 'em. If any one calls
will let 'em iu ?"
"Well, visitors are not likely to be
frequent this evening. This is some
thing in the way of scout reconnais-
ance, you understand. However, if any
one does come it will be on particular
business, | suppose; so they may come
up"
Every good, sir You'll not be turn
ing in quite yet, sir ~
"No, not for two or three hours,
probably. Good night"
Good night, sir, and pleasant
awakenng,"
With the dawn of the next day came
snow, covering the roof of the new
house and the stone steps of the en-
trance and the vacant avenue. Ser
geaut Simpson aroused himself betime
and having filled coal scuttle will
coal mounted the stairs to the
door of the library, which com
municated with the chamber il
which Harry Trent was to have slept
The library door was ajar and the ser
geant was surprised to see the light o.
the gas within still burning. Had the
master fallen asleep in his chair? HI
knocked softly, and then there being nj
response he ventured to push open the
door and enter.
The gaslight falling on the broad Ia
bic that stood near the fireplace cast 4;
shadow over the hearthrug, so that tn,
sergeant did not at first see what la!
there. He noticed that the last ember
were expiring in the CRATE, but as HI
stepped round the corner of the table HI
started. and the coal scuttle fell from hi
hand with crash. Stretched out on thu
rug, but in an oddly constrained posi-
ton, lay the form of Harry Trent.
The noise of the falling scuttle die
not rouse him; indeed, the sergeant
with the practiced eye of a soldier, haC
perceived in a moment that he was
dead. But he thought that the man haC
died from stroke of the heart or Of
apopleXy. He was dot prepared for the
further revelation, and as he realized il
a groan of horror burst from him.
From the back of the neck, little tC
the left, protruded the hilt Of knife OF
dagger, cnriOuSly carved. The rug was
soaked with blood. Harry Trent had
not died a natural death, nor had he
slain himself. He had been murdered