Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-07-06
SELECTED STORIES.
AN OCEAN CRIME. :,


She stood there on the steamers deck
holding on To her hat, for II was blowing
half a gale, and who could help sdmiring
herf
couldn't. and as walked up the gang
way caught her eye, and she blushed .
vivid crimson.
Who was shei had met her In London,
only q few days'before, too, at the Covent
Garden ball -f-hAd rendered her Q slight
services service abe had thanked me for
with such look of those lovely eyes that
swore would ne'er forget them.
Now l saw her on q transatlantic liner
and while my brain was filed with ad-
miration for her was withal puzzled at
her presence.
Out on the ocean the phosphorescent
light OF the sea shimmering around. Twi-
light was descending on the great waters,
the sun had gone to rest. and sternward
the horizon was black.
strolled TO the afterdeck, which was
now deserted. and took my seat beneath
the shadow of the longboat and gazed out
across the sea.
There was "A glimmer Of summer light
/ ming low down on the horizon. and the
evening breeze was frsshening There
will be gale before morning, soliloquized
i, and pulled my pipe meditatively, fell
into brown study and nod, nod, nodded to
sleep.
Michael, would you betray mef God
would kill you II you attempt"-
/ started, woke and rubbed my eyes.
The night was pitch dark, but In spite Of
the darkness could dimly see two figures
near me. The vessel was rolling tremen-
dously. There was big swell on and a
stiff wind blowing.
~ do not care what you say, Hiram" "
said another voice. "You are q thief.
That money intrusted to you for my cousin
you want yourself, ehf But pretty Chloe
won't have meme, q man OF millions
and therefore, sweet Hiram, l want my
money"
recognized the voices. One was Hiram
Manners. the father of Chloe Manners, the
mysterious girl who was SO fascinating to
me- The other was his shadow Of the voy.
age, Michael Van Ditmar. who purported
to be Dutch diamond merchant
made IN effort 90 rise but even as did
NO sounds of struggle came to my ears. ]
saw the gaunt fgureof Van Ditmar raised
I'm the air on the strong arms OF Chloe's Ia
ther, and then saw him hurled overheard.
Dare tell what had seeni Van Ditmar
had disappeared during the night. and
there WAS a rare TO do In the morning, but
there was no explanation of his disappear
ance.
"Blown overboard," some said. and l.,
fearing for Chloe's father. let 1t remain at
that.
Off Sandy Hook and Just when was
thinking OF getting my things together
was accosted by no less a parsonage than
had at trtln m N
al acquaintance during the voyage. She
had come to say goodby to me maybe.
"Oh. Mr.. Curzon," she said In low and
weary tone, my father
us he illi"
-"He Is worse than that. You know he
has not been in the saloon. He seems to be
stricken with fever, but his mind Ia
wandering. and he has said such dreadful
things. Will you come and sec himS He
wants you"
Yes, old Hiram was In a bad way. His
mind was wandering, and the ships doctor
looked wise and knowing when the sick
man began to curse Michael Van Ditmar
right and left.
What could he want me for, wondered.
4 was not destined TO know on board any
way, for his fever increased in intensity,
and when the vessel arrived at New York
he was hopeless case.
Take him away Take him awayi Look
at his facet Curse him, he is coming to kill
mep' And old Hiram sank back ON his
pillow exhausted.
He was going fast. and every one around
knew It. He would not last till morning,
the doctor said, and realized he was right.
At midnight he was nearly dead lie
wanted to see me, he said. When l went
n. - l. Il for M
and then he whispered In my ear:
"Don't tell her l did it; don't tell her.
You know my secret. ] saw you there.
saw you after had done it. Take her To
Los Angeles-Los Angelesp
Midnight had scarcely chimed ere he
breathed his last.
/ accompanied Miss Manners to Los An.
geles. She had friends there Our friend
ship had ripened somewhat-indeed 1t had
ripened to love on my part. though dared
not confess It..
l was walking up the main street Of Sac
ramento when saw In front of me agaunt
figure thought recognized.
l was right IL was Michael Van Ditmar.
He recognized me and stared.
why" | said, II thought
81 was dead, chr Oh, no, can swim, and
besides was picked up"
"But Manners thought he had killed
you. Manners is dead"
Served him right-a thief and vaga
bond"
IL do not understand you"
at Is not your business-but there. will
tell you"
"Stock Exchange gambling had been
Hiram Manners downfall Not only his
money, but the money of his ward, Chloe
Van Ditmar, whom he had chosen to call
his daughter, had been involved In his
speculations
A ruined man. he had striven to fee the
country, but Van Ditmaf, to whom he was
indebted pecuniarily to An enormous ex-
tent, had forestalled, as we have seen And
Van Ditmaf was Chloe's cousin.
II want to ind Chloe. You know her.
Where Is shei" said Van Ditmar. II want
to tell her she has not one cent Of her own
In the world unless she marriss me-
Think Of Chloe's feelings when told her
my story. She was penniless, without a
friend In the world, and the dread alter
native-marriage to Michael Van Ditmar
Miss Van Ditmar-Chloe-you are not
friendless. There is one who will ever be
vour friend-let me hone more than friend