Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-04-07


Paxton became seated, and placed dis
patch in the hands of the police sergeant.
MariOn's face told that she feared the
telegram contained some intelligence
inimical TO the interests OF the young
man of whose innocence she was posi-
tive.
Mr.. Garrison shook the detectives
hand warmly when he had taken his
seat, and said:
7 thank you, sir, for what you have
said in behalf of my young friend"
Meanwhile the police sergeant read
his dispatch and turning to the coroner
he said in exultant tones:
THE dispatch which has, by the way,
been unaccountably delayed, informs me
that Stuart Harland has been arrested.
He should have been returned to the
city by this time. He was captured on
alighting from a railway train by officers
to whom 1 caused telegram to be sent.
This is bad news. Since Mr.. Harland
was arrested on a railway train he must
have been leaving the city. That cir
cumstance may be made to tell against
him. You are his friend Mr.. Garrison,
and at the first opportunity you should
warn him to make a complete explana-
tlon of his conduct, -" whispered the de-
tective.
4 shall do so, " the broker replied, but
he secretly thought:
And yet if the motive for his secret
night journey was what I suspect it to
be, 1 dare not ask Stuart to tell the
truth. Weak, miserable, guilty man
that 1 am, 1 find myself in a situation of
the most trying character, and de-
nOument 1 dread may come at any mo-
ment."
Marion Oakbun touched the detee-
tive's arm, and he turned toward her as
she whispered:
DO you think Mr.. Harland can be
imprisoned on the strength Of the evil
dence which has thus far been elicited?"
The Jury can r1ly find against him
yet, 1 think, but much will depend upon
Mr. Harland himself. His explanation
will govern the coroner's jury. However,
he cannot be compelled to answer any
question which may implicate himself,
replied Paxton.
A moment subsequently there was a
stir at the door.
A thrill of excitement and expectancy
ran through the throng, and Marion
Oakburn started to her feet, invOlun-
tarily.
Mr.. Paxton and the broker also arose,
as Stuart Harland was marched into the
room between two officers.
The suspected man glanced about him
fearlessly, and seeing Mr.. Garrison and
Marion, he bowed and smiled, and he
AA1U AAAAnAN EANGLNNA MS -NAAoN NAEAh5
Addressing the coroner, he said,
calmly:
L am informed that am arrested on
suspicion of having murdered my old
friend, John Oakburn. VIII you please
inform me why I am accused of SO
heinous n crime2"
1t was evident TO all that Stuart Har-
and was in n state of intense mental
excitement, and that he only restrained
his indignation by a determined effort of
will power.
I regret TO say, Mr. Harland, that the
fact of your midnight departure coupled
with cei tain circumstances, such as
your knowledge that there was a large
sum Of money in the safe and the like.
has made il necessary that you should
explain your conduct" answered the
coroner impresslvely.
moment of profound silence ensued
while the people assembled in the broker 5
Office awaited, consumed with curiosity
and suspense. for all were most deeply
interested to know what explanation or
defense of his conduct the accused would
offer.
Stuart Harland's eyes sought the face
of Jason Garrison, and as the broker
met his covert glance he trembled vio-
lently, and thought:
4 am not mistaken. He has discovered
the truth. He knows what have done. "
From the banker Stuart glanced at
Marion Oakburn.
Ever since the moment when the
officers who had accomplished his arrest
informed him, as they had done that
John Oakburn had been murdered, Stuart
Harland had been unable to rid his mind
of the haunting memory of Marion Oak
burn face as he saw it when, llvid with
terror, she stealthily glided out of the
office as he was leaving the house, ann
now when he looked at her, Mariod
trembled as with chill of terror, and
she would not meet his glance.
4 fearful thought flashed through
Stuart's mind, but he put it away from
him as too terrible for serious considera-
ton.
At this time, however, he was con-
WINGED in his mind that some dark and
inscrutable mystery surrounded the Sc
cret of John OGkburn's murder, and he
could not disabuse himself of the i'm
preston that Marion Oakburn was in
some inexplicable way connected with it.
Stuart Harland was one of those noble
spirits who ought to have lived in the
days of chivalry and knight errantry.
He had resolved not to make an explain
alton of his midnight departure, because
TO do SO would be to betray the secret of
another, which he had accidentally
i.
thought OF resOrttng TO falsehOOd to ex-
onerate himself.
He was not without a fear lest the
course he had resolved upon would alien
ate the sympathies of his friends, but
he felt in honor bound to adhere to it.
Paxton was somewhat of a physiOgnO-
mist In his way, and he fixed his eyes on
Stuart Harland's face and sought TO
read his character.
The detectives scrutiny was so in
tense that Harland felt his glance and
finally looked at him. Then the former
dropped his eyes, but he was favOrably
impressed and he mentally reflected:
He has an honest face, and if I am
not in error he is a man who would
make almost any sacrifice for honor and
friendship"
Meanwhile when Judith Kredge saw
Stuart Harland prisoner in the power
OF the officers Of the law, her venemOus
eyes flashed with malicious triumph.
1t was clearly apparent that she Sc
cretly hated the young man.
You will take the oath and then we
will listen TO any statement you desire
To make, said the coroner as Stuart did
not reply to his last remark
The young man was duly sworn and
then the inquest proceeded and new and
startling developments ensued.
CHAPTER VI.
Ny explanation is most simple. I car
only say that important business called
me away suddenly, and did not see fl
TO publish the fact Of my intended de
parture AS for my having any connec
ton with this crime, those who know ms
will not for a moment entertain such ;
thought. For the assurance Of stran
gers, might further protest my limo
- T.. - a