The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-10-04

lndl an important letter ndu
him to New York, but he would return
i'm few days. SO BASIL and Ruth,
little dreaming that they We're shad-
owed by this villain, were brightly
dreaming of the future.
At last the great city had been
reached. Basill and Ruth entered
cab and ordered the cabman to drive
them to the Grand Central Here BASIL
ordered the best room in the hotel for
Ruth and said, 1.-THE second best will
do for me" He left an order TO be
called at 1880 a. m. Ruth was shown
to her room by the chambermaid and
soon after a smiling little darby had
Basills grip in his hand and quietly
tripping up the short flight Of stairs
which led to the elevator, and that lit
tie darby was none other than sam
Johnson, who had grown tired of coun-
try life and came TO town a week ago
and secured a position at this hotel as
bellboy. Sam knew Basil, but as they
were under strict orders not to form
an acquaintance with the guests he was
prevented the opportunity of renewing
old times. Basil did not wish to re-
tire at the present time and lighting
cigar he seated himself in an easy
chair in the hallway. Soon after this
a peculiar-looking individual entered
and, after glancing at the register, or
dered lodging and paved in advance
for the same. Sam started a little, but
did not recognize that it was Jack Cur
ran until he had reached the floor on
which the room was located Jack was
TO occupy. He was shown his room
and Sam, after bidding him good night,
hesitated outside the door. Sam did
not like his actions and was going to
keep an eye on him. Presently Jack
opened the door and gliding noiselessly
down the flight of stairs he discovered
Basil seated in d chair asleep. Creep
ing nearer he pulled a knife from his
pocket and plunged the long blade into
Basills breast. Then picking him up
he threw him out of the window where
some Watchmen found him and took
him to the hospital, where he lay for
months. Sam had witnessed the whole
affair, but was caught and instructed
not to say "a word, for if he did he
would share the same fate However,
Sam said he would light the match
some time that would throw a light
on the whole mystery. Jack Curran
had indeed prevented the marriage.
But he dare not let Ruth know of his
presence in New York. So, when another
day dawned Jack Curran, after again
threatening the life Of Sam Johnson,
took his departure for the Brown home
stead.
Ruth was UP early and happy as a
lark, for that was to be her wedding
day. But, alas. when the sun had sank
behind the great city and Basil had not
yet come she became disheartened and
taking her little baggage she went out
into the streets, where to so or what to
do she knew not. Not far from where
she stood was the great piers and the
cruel waves that dashed their sides
brought a very sad and wicked idea into
poor Ruth's mind. She would end her
sorrows underneath these So going
slowly down to the docks she hesitated
short time to ask forgiveness of her
parents and dying for the love Of Basil
she then plunged into the dark waters.
The splash attracted the attention of a
bystander, who rescued her from
watery grave and secured lodging for
her, but Ruth refused to give her name.
The next day she wandered the streets
until late in the afternoon before employ
ment was secured, but a proprietor of a
cloak establishment feeling in sympathy
with her gave her employment. Here
she worked until brighter days dawned
but the future appeared very dark to
her now. Taking the reader back to the
Brown place, now we find James Wat
kins has been arrested and placed in jail
on suspicion Of the murder of Basil
Brown. His watch was found $50 Jack
Curran said) on the river bank near the
Witches Landing. Jack said he would
swear when the proper time came that
he saw James Watkins murder Basil
Brown and then throw his body into the
river Ben InkwOod was constantly look
ing for Ruth, but as no trace had yet
been found of her the general belief was
that she had been drowned. Jimmie
Lamberts had left the farm and was a
newsboy on one Of the trains. Winter
had passed and spring was here and still
nothing new had developed. James
Watkins trial had been postponed until
the June term of court. Sam Johnson
was back on the farm again, but as Jack
Curran kept him scared to death he was
afraid to tell anything about the past.
Jack was waiting for Ruth TO come
home when he would make a proposal
to her that she could not well refuse.
Jimmie Lamberts was off his run one
day in New York and caught glimpse
of Ruth sitting underneath a shade tree
in a park He went to her and finally
succeeded i'm getting her to promise she
would return to her home Everything
was going on smoothly under the direc-
ton Of Ben InkWOOd who had been pro-
NOTED as foreman. A new man was en-
ployed that season by the name Of Dick
Richards. He was tall, rather slender,
with dark, heavy beard.
Ruth returned home and was greatly
surprised and grief-stricken when she
learned of her fathers misfortune. She
went To him and told him Bert Watkins
told her TO leave him and never again
let him look on her face. Ruth was
overcome by grief and on her knees she
asked her father to forgive him. But he
was still determined, and although Ben
InkwoOd insisted upon him fOrgiVing her
he sWore he would never do it. SO they
returned home much sadder but not
wiser.
September was here and Watkins trial
was postponed again. Many of these
golden evenings were spent strOlling
down the little lane where her and BasiH
had strolled together just one year ago.
One evening while she was standing at
the Witches Landing sadly thinking over
the past, Jack Curran approached her.
He spoke calling her Miss Ruth and
went on telling her how he had loved
her all these days but afraid to say any
thing. He told her if she would become
his wife her father should be a free man
before twenty-four hours went by. Ruth
Indignantly refused, when Jack Curran
threatened her with violence. She be-
came frightened and cried for help. Dick
Richards, who had been concealed I'm the
bushes, stepped out at that moment and
knocked Jack Curran sprawling to the
ground. He then introduced himself to
Ruth as Dick Richards, the new hired
man. Ruth started at his voice and
stood glaring into those deep blue eyes.
Where had she seen them and heard that
voice before. Dick escorted her home,
but Ruth could not help but study all
night about those eyes and that voice.
How much like Basill's they We're. But
they could not be his for Basil was
dead. If not to the world TO her.
The day for the trial had arrived. The
fury was selected and the attorneys on
both sides were examining the witnesses.
Jack Curran was called and swore what
he had said before. This angened James
Watkins. who jumped up and said, Gen
tlemen, If 1 am not innocent in your