The Globe-republican., 1892-03-17

man on Harland's track and he will be
arrested before morning"
Il wish you Joy of your capture, am
sure, retorted Paxton.
Jason Garrison turned his back upon
the detective and the police sergesn,
with an expressive gesture. and strobe
to the side of the dead man.
Long and earnestly he gazed upon the
face of the dead, and the man of the
world was deeply moved as he thought
that this poor man, who had served him
with surprising fidelity for long years.
had perhaps met his fate in defense OF
his property.
HPoor John. poor joint" he said. He
was cne of the few men who are honest
from principle alone. He was hOnored
by all, and he leaves behind him a repu-
tation OF which any man might we'll be
proud"
Then, turning to Marion, he added:
@Miss Oakburn, the memory of your
father will be respected by all who knew
him. He died as he had lived-faithful
to his duty and an honest man."
The dead cashiers daughter was
strangely agitated, but her face became
transformed with look of heroic re-
solve as she said:
~My father so lived that when he was
dead men might speak of him as you
have done His soul would have revolt
ed at any other destiny. His memory
shall be revered."
There was something fierce and
voice, and her manner was that of one
IN, or FOL fofn
But her hearers. with perhaps one ex-
ception. attributed her excitement and
her strange manner to emotions Occa-
murder alone.
Paxton was the only one present not
of this opinion, and he covertly watched
the cashiers daughter with sudden
augmentation Of interest The detective
possessed many serviceable qualifica-
tiOns for the vocation he had adopted.
not the least valuable OF which was the
faculty of discerning the cause of human
emotions. and he felt that Marion Oak
burn was now actuated by some power
full feeling which the others did not sus-
pect.
But even his acumen could not deter
mine what the secret feeling was.
~If am any judge of character, this
young woman possesses rare strength
of will and tenacity of purpose.
When she declared that her fathers
memory should be revered she spoke
as though there was a danger that
it might be reviled - as though she
felt called upon to protect his
memory from odium. All, if you
hold secret, Marion Oakburn, you will
know how to preserve it inviolate," re-
flected Paxton.
There was nothing more to be done
now, and the police sergeant stated that
his men would guard the Office until
morning, and that nothing should be
disturbed until the inquest, which would
be held the following day.
Mr.. Garrison assured Marion of his
friendship and that she might rely on
him for any needed assistance.
At such time as this, of sorrow and
affection, the most kind and sympathetic
words seem hollow and meaningless,
and Marion was in such a state of doubt
and trouble that she scarcely heard the
brokers' kindly remarks.
The Office was left in charge of two
police officers, who were to watch beside
the dead until the dawn, and Marion
crept. cold and shivering. to her room,
while Judith Kredge sought hersowD
apartment.
But there was no sleep for the cash
ier's daughter that night She sank
YEARLY upon her couch, and there re-
NAMED thinking thousand troubled
thoughts, experiencing "a thousand
doubts and the torture of one great
dread.
Day was at hand. and the light of the
lamp was turning pale, while the morn
ing mists began to disappear, and the
sunlight fell upon the window panes
when at last Marion started up.
She knelt as if in prayer, and while
her back was turned to the door, it
opened noiselessly and the evil face of
Judith Kredge peered in upon her for a
moment.
When Marion arose she said in self
communion:
Il will not turn back now; I do not
any sacrifice that may be demanded. and
am sustained by the thought that in
all / have done, have been actuated by
a noble purpose.
"But circumstances have arisen of
which had no thought Oh. what ad
verse fate directed Stuart Harland to
leave the house this night of all others,
in the way that he has done? l can
only hope that he will explain his con-
duct so as to exonerate himself from all
suspicion. But what il circumstantial
evidence should prove powerful enough
to endangcr his life"
Marion paused abruptly. and shud-
der traversed her frame from head to
foot.
Il trust-I pray it may not come to
such a crisis as that" she added, pres
entity
At that moment Marion heard a faint
sound outside her chamber door. and.
suspecting that some one was listening
there, she glided to the door and sud-