Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1895-05-01
AN OCEAN CRIME.

hery
l couldn't, and as | walked up the gang.
way caught her eye. and she blushed a
vivid crimson.
Who was shef had met her in London,
only few days before, too, at the Covent
Garden ball. had rendered her slight
service-a service she had thanked me for
with such look of those lovely eyes that
swore would ne'er forget them.
Now saw her on transatlantic liner
and while my brain was filled with I'D
miration for her was withal puzzled ut
her presence.
Out on the ocean the phosphorescent
light of the sea shimmering around. TWi'
light was descending OH the great waters,
the sun had gone to rest. and sternward
the horizon was black.
strolled to the nfterdeck, which was
now deserted, and took my seat beneath
the shadow of the iongboat and gazed out
across the sea.
, There was glimmer of summer light
ming low down on the horizon, and the
evening breeze was freshening. 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 meS Cod
I would kill you if you attempt"-
I 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
stiff wind blowing.
II do not care what you say, Hiram
said another voice. "You are thief.
That money intrusted to you for my cousin
you want yourself, chr But pretty Chloe
won't have meme, q man of millions
and therefore, sweet Hiram, / want my
money"
l 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.
l made an effort to rise, but even as did
80 sounds of struggle came to my ears.
saw the gaunt figure of Van Ditmar raised
in the air on the strong arms of Chloe's IA
Their, and then saw him hurled overheard.
Dare | tell what had seem Van Ditmar
had disappeared during the night, and
there was rare to do in the morning, but
there was no explanation of his disappear
ance.
"Blown overheard" some said, and l,
fearing for Chloe's father, let it remain at
that.
Off Sandy Hook and just when l was
thinking of getting my things together !
was accosted by no less parsonage than
Miss Chloe Manners. We had struck up
an acquaintance during the voyage. She
had come to say goodby to me maybe.
"Oh, Mr. Curzon," she said in a low and
weary tone, my father"--
us he illS"
she is worse than that. You know he
has not been in the saloon. Ho seems to be
stricken with q fever, but his mind is
wandering, and he has said such dreadful
things. Will you come and see hims He
wants YOU"
Yes, old Hiram was in 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.
I 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 a hopeless case.
Take him away Take him awayi Look
at his facet Curse him, he is coming TO kill
meI' 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. He
wanted to see me, he said. When l went
to his side, his eyes glared for moment,
and then he whispered in my ear:
Don't tell her l did it; don't tell her.
You know my secret. l saw you there.
saw you after had done it. Take her to
Los Angeles-Los Angelesl''
Midnight had scarcely chimed ere he
breathed his last.
l accompanied Miss Manners to Los An.
geles. She had friends there. Our friend.
ship had ripcned somewhat-indeed it had
ripened to love on my part, though dared
not confess it,
was walking up the main street of Sac
ramento when saw in front of me gaunt
figure thought / recognized.
was right 1t was Michael Van Ditmar.
He recognized me and stared
"Why," | said, II Thought
~ was dead, chr Oh, no, car swim, and
besides was picked up"
But Manners thought he had killed
you. Manners Is dead"
'Served him rlght-a thief and a vaga-
bond"
Il do not understand ycu."
ut is not your business-but there, Twill
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 flee the
country, but Van Ditmar, to whom he was
indebted pecuniariiy to an enormous ex
tent, had forestalled, as we have seen. And
Van Ditmar was Chloe's cousin
~ want to find Chloe. You know her.
Where Is shei" said Van Ditmar IL want
to tell her she has not one cent of her own
In the world unless she marries me.
Think Of Chloe's feelings when told her
my story. She was penniless, without a
friend In the world, and the dread alter
to Michael Van Ditmar.
Miss Van Ditmar-Chloe-you are not
friendless. There is one who will ever be
your friend-let me hope more than friend