The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-07-22

OF a note remained. Their absence was
scarcely less remarkable than tho order
which the contents OF tho escrttotre dis.
played. Had the late lord known that
his belongings would soon pass to an
other no could not have more carefully
eliminated from them everything touch
ing upon his life; nor could he have
moresystematically arranged that which
remained. II seemed, indeed, as If he
had anticipated his death and accord
ingly had made his preparations. g.
Neither In deed boxes nor level cases,
which were next examined however, did
even a scrap Of paper rsmaln that in
any way helped to afford Lord Redtriprs
the clue he desiredi and after q days
weary search he gave up hunting for
what he now despaired OF finding,
ale didn't kill himself on the spur
OF tho moment; there was no temporary
insanity or any such here" reflected
the carl. "He was always cool and de-
liberate In his actions, never let hls
head or his heart u away with him,
and I'm sure he had good reasons for
taking his life. That he prepared for
ll6 uohtll ~ hlulI5h GSlNhAht NAu bh0s hS
wished its cause TO ramain unknown l
can scarcely doubt What could it be,
l wonder2 Perhaps after all II is bet
ter l shouldn't know or maybe ! may
learn II all 100 soon"
The thought that the motive Of the
suicide had not stolen spectre'like from
the dead mans past, that it was some-
thing outside and beyond his own life,
something for which he was not respon-
sible and could not control, something
which might rise threateningly before
his successor In the moment OF triumph
and security, persistently dwelt in the
new earl's mind. 1t haunted him. as
the restless dead are said sometimes to
haunt the living. Do what he would,
he could not lay IL; turn where he
would, 1t appeared before him, tortur'
ing him with a fear he could not grasp,
with a prospect OF evil he could not
measure.
As he sat late one evening in that
sombre sitting room, which had been
the scene Of at least n dire tragedy,
his thoughts we're tull OF specplations
concerning the motive which had be-
gotten that crime. One by M they
had risen before him, some grotesque
and impossible, others seeming plausi'
BILE until critically examined; mona
probable. Could he have known what
The cause Of the suicide was, could he
have realized Its motive, nc matter how
great It's horror, he would have felt
moro at ense; it was the uncertainty
which menaced him.
"This suspense will drive me mad,"'
no said, rising aud walking up and
down the room; there's no escape
from its torture"
Suddenly no realized how utterly
still was the atmosphere, not q move
ment nor q sound was heard. It was
during such silence as this the pistol
shot rang out which hurried q man to
his death; n sharp report, and then
Htillnesa more profound than before
settling over the room, as the shadows
gathered and closed around the CHASTITY
blood.smeared face Of that pulseless
huddled figure lying on tho carpet.
What had happened throughout those
dark hours ofthe night whilst the dead
man lay there, the clock OF 81. Georges
Ginning the hours, though Tor him
time no longer existedH
No answer came to his questions.
The unbrokeu silence OF the room had
something terrible in its drear monot.
ony; something that al once excited
and depressed him. Again and again,
he found himself straining his ears as II
to hear come words that were being
whispered in ~the'corners beyond. He
could not compose his mind, or read,
and he had no desire to seek distraction
abroad.
A dampness came upon his forehead,
his nerves we're strung. The strain had
grown insupportable, when he heard
the sound Of approaching footsteps in
the passage outside, aud Immediately
after Whyman entered to ask before
retiring II anything was required.
Nothing" replied RcdfriarS, moth
ing"
Tho earl fancled that n CLEAN OF sur.
prise or anxiety cleaned on tho mans
face as their eyes encountered; but
looking moro closely he saw that Why
man 9 features bore their usual calm,
impenetrable expression. Quickly 1t
occurred to the peer to question Why
man regarding his late masters last
days, thinking he might know that OF
which others were ignorant regarding
the motive Of the suicide. Therefore, as
tho servant was about to turn away,
Redfriars babe him stay.
II want TO have q quiet talk with
you, Whyman, close the door" the
earl said, sitting down in the great arm
chair by the hearth.
ayes, my lord" tho nan replied,
and then stood waiting, as immovable
in limb and feature as q human being
we'll could be. to hear the questions
that might be asked oil him
"You have been in my brothers. ser.
vice some timer"
."Twelve years, my lord"
"a long time; 1t speaks well for
you"
THANK you, my lord"
"You must have come to know his
habits and understand him pretty we'll
during oil these years." continued Red.
friara.
"Yes, my lord, / was accustomed to
his lordship's ways before l had been
u year in HE service, and l soon came
to know what no liked and wanted be-
fore lie had time to tell me-"
II can quite believe IT, Whyman; IN.
less u servant is terribly dense he can.
not live with a master very long with
out having a good knowledge OF his
disposition. Perhaps he added with
seeming carelessness, "you wore in his
conadence2"
~ cannot soy l was, my lord. His
lordship was not q mau that talked
much"
"Fhat'a true, but for all that you may
know thn motivo yvhinh nrnmnlel him