People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-07-06

a.
said raUl Morton with q sneer.
No, | don't like it, and that is
the reason why | have come to you.
hoping that YOU will help me to
something better
This was said with quiet self
possession. and Paul Morton began
to realize with uneasiness that this
young man. whom he had looked
upon with contempt, was not so
easily 70 be overawed or managed as
he had Ell ected.
This is a cool request. consider.
ing that you are comparative
stranger 10 me.
Then, said James Cromwell,
leaning slightly forward, and look
ing intently at Mr.. Morton, may !
ask to what use you have put the
subtle poison which you purchased
OF me ten days since?"
The color rushed to Paul Morton's
face at this direct interrogation.
The pOisOn?" he repeated.
Yes, you certainly have not for
gotten the purchase. ~
81 think you must be mistaken in
the person"
Pardon NE, am not. -
Suppose that l did buy poison,
how should you identify me with the
purchaser, and how came YOU to
know where | livedm
a sent boy to follow you home"
saiO Cromwell.
"IOu dared to dc that"
"Why not? We have no curiosity
about or ordinary customers, but
when person makes such a pur-
chase as you did, We feel inclined to
learn all we can about him"
"a praiseworthy precaution! Well,
! admit that l did buy the poison
What them"
81 asked to what purpose you had
put it?"
VERY we'll, | have no objection to
tell you, although | deny your right
to intrude in my private affairs,
which | regard as a piece of gross
impertinence. | bought it, as I
think I stated to you at the time. at
the request and for the use of a friend.
Would you tell me the friends
name?' asked the clerk imperturba-
bly,.
HE lives in Thirty-5eventh
street.
What is his name?n
None OF your business, exclaimed
the merchant passlonately.
Il beg your pardon, but I was
blamed by my employer for not TAX
ing down the pane of the purchaser,
and told him in return that | would
gather full particulars.
You may tell him it is all right.
He must have heard OF me and of my
firm, and that will satisfy him"
But the name of this gentleman
in Thirty-seventh street -"
is not necessary to the purpose. Z"
HAS there been a death in his
family within ten days." asked the
clerk in quiet tones, but there was a
significance in them that sent a
thrill through the frame of the lis
tener
What makes you ask thatP" he
stammered.
Il will tell you" said James Crom-
well boldly, throwing off his reserve.
at is as well to be frank. and there
Is no use in mincing matters. | DO
not believe this story of the man in
irty-Seventh street. | think you
bought the article for your own use.
Since the purchase there has been
death lin your house"
Your inference is ridiculous.
said the merchant nervOuslv. "Mv
intimate and dear friend, Mr.. Ray
mond, was sick of an incurable ais
ease,as the physician will testify, and
it could have terminated in no other
way"
Il am quite willing to believe you
are right" said the clerk. Still. un-
der the circumstances, you will not
object to an investigation. | feel it
my duty to inform a coroner of the
facts in the case, and if on examina-
ton no traces Of the action of poison
can be found in the deceased, OF
course you are entirely exonerated
from suspicion
TO RE CONTTNIrFD I