The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-05-29
CHAPTER II.

Marion and her companion, Judith
Kredge, saw John Oakburn prone upon
the floor beside small writing table
which had been overturned. He had
fallen face downward and blood had
trickled down the side OF his neck and
formed little pool upon the white floor
beside his head
For moment Marion seemed about to
faint and she clung to Judith Kredge
dumb with horror, while her blood SEEM
ed turning to ice in her veins, and she
experienced q painful contraction OF the
heart
Judith Kredge was more composed,
cap. VI
the woman's hard, immobile features,
and tremor in her harsh, 'shrill voice,
as she said:
"This is murder and robbery, too, !
think See, the safe is OPEN"
AS she spoke sho pointed to a large
safe in the side OF the Office, tho door OF
which stood wide open.
With all effort which cost all the will
power of which she was capable, Marion
regained her strength and sprang to her
fathers side. With the lamp in her
hand she knelt beside him and scanned
his livid face.
II there had been hope in her mind
that the vital principle was not yet ex-
tinct, it was crushed as she gazed upon
her beloved parents features, for she
saw that he was indeed dead.
"Poor father Poor father:" walled
Marion in heart-broken tones, and bitter
tears streamed down her cheeks and fell
Upon the livid face where the dread
white shadow rested.
Judith Kredge stood watching the be-
reaved girl, and there was a strange ex-
ultant expression in her venomous eyes.
They have killed my father to rob
the safe," said Marion, presently, and
the sound of het voice seemed to arouse
Judith Kredge. for she cried:
Yes; and We must not delay. Tho
alarm must be given"
"Run to the door and call the police.
| You may be heard; and call Mr.. Har-
land" said Marion
Yes, yes To think that your father
should be murdered here in his Office and
we could not help him." answered the
woman. And, muttering to herself in
all excited way. she ran TO the street
door and threw it open.
The next moment her Shrill, harsh
voice rang out upon the night
"Help Police. Murder" she shrieked
1t was cry which, heard at the dead
of night, might well startle and thrill
the stoutest heart
Thrice Judith Kredse uttered this ter
rible cry, and then She saw police officer
hurrying down the street toward her.
Waiting not for his arrival, she darted
up the stairs to Stuart Harland's room,
and knocked loudly on the door, at the
same time screaming:
Awake! Awake! Mr.. Oakburn is
killed-murdered!"
OF course she recciy ed no answer, and
she tried the door. which opened readily,
and entered the apartment in which 1t
chanced Stuart Harland had left the gas
burning family.
Judith Krcdge gave utterance to q
surprised exclamation as she saw that
| the room was untenanttd, and with an
expression OF blank amazement on her
| features she flew to closet in which she
knew Stuart Harland kept his valise,
and threw it open.
Suddenly look of intelligence and
cunning supplemented the expression OF
prrpleXity which her features had mo-
mentarily assumed. AMI she ran down
stairs and gained the office again.
"Mr Harand has gone, and taken his
valise with him." she cried.
Marion seemed thundcrstruck
She had risen, AM, starting forward,
| exclaimed:
"Gone! Mr.. Harland gone!"
"Yt s. he has ted."
at cannot bel" gasped Marion.
alt is true"
"No, no That he is not in his room
docs not imply that he has fled"
| but he retired as usual. My room is
next to his, and l heard him moving
about but few minutes before you
called me"
Marion sprang to Judith's side and
| clutched her arm.
"Do not tell that I beg, / implore
you do not tell living Sonl that yon
heard Stuart Harland in his room few
mo-Lents before we discovered my father.
II you do you will direct dreadful sus-
5fcion to an innocent man." she said in
intense, thrilling tones.
Before Judith Kredge could answer,
the door opened and the policeman who
| had heard the cry entered the Office ,
| whats this A man killed." exclaimed
the policeman. and while Marion hur-
riedly explained how She had discovered