The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-06-26
A MIDNIGHT
TRAGEDY;
'Tle Crime Of The
Brokers Office.
- w. r. MOTT.
w. r. MOTT.
CHAPTER v.-(Continue az


Paxton became seated, and placed a dis
patch in the hands of the police sergeant.
Marion's face told that she feared the
telegram contained some intelligence
dnimical to the interests Of the young
man Of whose innocence she was posi-
tive.
Mr.. Garrison shook the detectives
hand warmly when he had taken his
seat, and said:
Il thank you, sir, for what you have
said in behalf Of my young friend"
Meanwhile the police sergeant read
his dispatch, and turning to the coroner
he said in exultant tones:
~The dispatch, which has, by the way,
been unaccountably delayed, informs me
that Stuart Harland has been arrested.
He should have been returned to the
city by this time. He was captured on
lalighting from railway train by officers
ITO whom I caused telegram to be sent.
This is bad news. Since Mr.. Harland
was arrested on a railway train he must
have been leaving the city. That cir
rcumstance may be made to tell against
him. You are his friend, Mr.. Garrison,
tand at the first opportunity you should
warn him to make complete explana-
tion Of his conduct, whispered the de-
.tective.
Il shall do so," the broker replied, but
he secretly thought:
And yet if the motive for his secret
might journey was what I suspect 1t to
!be, I dare not ask Stuart to tell the
truth. Weak, miserable, guilty man
that am, find myself in situation Of
the most trying character, and de-
,noument dread may come at any mo-
iment."
Marion Oakburn touched the detec-
itive's arm, and he turned toward her as
she whispered:
DO you think Mr.. Harland can be
imprisoned on the strength Of the evil
idence which has thus far been elicited?"
"The jury can hardly find against him
yet, think, but much will depend upon
Mr.. Harland himself. His explanation
will govern the coroner's jury. However,
Ihe cannot be compelled to answer any
;question which may implicate himself"
replied Paxton.
A moment subsequently there was
stir at the door.
A thrill of excitement and expectancy
ran through the throng, and Marion
Oakburn started to her feet involun-
tarily.
MIR. Paxton and the broker Liso arose,
as Stuart Harland was marched into the
noon between two officers.
The suspected man glanced about him
fearlessly, and seeing Mr.. Garrison and
Marion, he bowed and smiled, and he
also affably greeted his fellow clerks
who were present.
Addressing the coroner, he said,
calmly:
sI am informed that I am arrested on
suspicion of having murdered my old
friend, John Oakburn. Will you please
inform me why I am accused Of so
heinous crime?"
land was in state Of intense mental
excitement, and that he only restrained
his Indignation by determined effort Of
will power. ---+-<',
Il regret to say, Mr.. Harland, that the
fact of your midnight departure coupled
with certain circumstances, such as
your knowledge that there was large
Sum Of money in the safe and the like,
has made it necessary that you should
explain your CONDUCT" answered the
coroner fmpressively. @~-
A moment Of profound silence ensued
while the people assembled in the brokers'
office awaited, consumed with curiosity
and suspense, for all were most deeply
interested to know what explanation or
defense Of his conduct the accused would
offer.
Stuart Harland's eyes sought the face
of Jason Garrison, and as the broker
met his covert glance he trembled vio-
aently, and thought:
..4s H.
the truth. He knows what have DONE"
From the banker Stuart glanced at
Marion Oakburn.
Ever since tho moment when the
officers who had accomplished his arrest
Informed him, as they had done that
John Oakburn had been murdered, Stuart
Harland had been unable to rid his mind
OF the haunting memory Of Marion Oak.
burns face as he saw it when, lvid with
terror, she stealthily glided out Of the
now when he looked at her, Mariod
trembled as with chill of terror, and
she would not meet his glance.
A fearful thought flashed through
Stuart's mind, but he put it away from
him as too terrible for serious considera.
ton.
At this time, however, he was con-
yinced in his mind that some dark and
inscrutable mystery surrounded the SO.
cret Of John Oakburn's murder, and he
could not disabuse himself Of the i'm
preston that Marion Oakburn was in
some inexplicable way connected with it
Stuart Harland was one Of those noble
spirits who ought to have lived in the
Says Of chivalry and knight errantry,
He had resolved not to make an oxplan.
alton of his midnight departure, because
to do so would be to betray the secret OF
another, which he had accidentally
gained knowledge Of. He never
thought OF resorting to falsehood to ex-
onerate himself.
He was not without fear lest the
course he had resolved upon would alien
ate the sympathies OF his friends, but
he felt In honor bound to adhera toi
Paxton was somewhat Of a physlogno'
mist in his way, and he fixed his eyes on
Stuart Harland's face and sought 10
read his character. :.
The detectives scrutiny was 80 in.
tense that Harland felt his glance ana
finally looked at him. Then the former
dropped his eyes, but he was faVoraDlS
Impressed and he mentally reflected:
HE has on honest faco, and il ! am
aot in error lie is o man 'Tho "ouio
make almost any sacrifice fol honor ano
friendship"
Meanwhile when Judith Kredge saw
Stuart Harland a prisoner in the power
of the officers of the law, her venemous