The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-06-12
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GQe CASHIER QauRQUeT WIFI q SuQQ6Q
augmentation Of interest The detective
possessed many serviceable qualifica-
tions for the vocation he had adopted.
not the least valuable of which was the
faculty Of discerning the cause of human
emotions, and he felt that Marion Oak
burn was now actuated by some power
full feeling which the others did not sus-
pect
But even his acumen could not deter
mine what the secret feeling was.
@If am any Judge of character, this
of will and tenacity of purpose,
When she declared that her fathers
memory should be revered she spoke
as though there was danger that
it might be reviled - as though she
felt called upon to protect his
memory from odium. All, il you
hold secret, Marion Oakburn, you will
know how to preserve it inviolate," re-
fected Paxton.
There was nothing more to be done
now, and the police sergeant stated that
his men would guard the Office until
morning, and that nothing should be
disturbed until the inquest, which would
be held. the following day.
mir. Garrison assured Marion OF his
friendship and that she might rely on
him for any needed assistance.
At such time as this, of sorrow and
afflIcton, the most kind and sym pathetic
words seem hollow and meaningless,
and Marion was in such state Of doubt
and trouble that she scarcely heard the
brokers' kindly remarks.
The Office was left in charge of two
police officers, who were to watch beside
the dead until the dawn, and Marion
crept, cold and shivering. to her room,
while Judith Kredge sought her owD
apartment.
But there was no sleep for the cash
ier's daughter that night She sank
wearily upon her couch, and there re-
NAMED thinking thousand troubled
thoughts, experiencing thousand
doubts and the torture of one great
dread,
Day was at hand, and the light Of the
lamp was turning pale, while the morn.
ing mistO began to disappear, and the
sunlight fell upon the window panes,
when at last Marion started up.
She knelt as IL in prayer, and while
her back was turned to the door, it
opened noiselessly and the evil face OF
judith Kredge peered in upon her for
moment.
! When Marion arose she said in self
communion:
81 will not turn back now; I do not
wish to do SO. Cheerfully will I make
any sacrifice that may be demanded, and
I am sustained by the thought that in,
oil have done, have been actuated by
a noble purpose.
"But circumstances have arisen OF
which l hadssAao thought Oh, what ad-
verse fate d%scted Stuart Harland to
leave the housSsthis night Of all others,
in the way that he has done? can
only hope that he will explain his con-
duct so as to exonerate himself from all
suspicion. But what if circumstantial
evidence should prove powerful enough
to endanger his life"
Marion paused abruptly, and shud-
der traversed her frame from head to
foot.
II trust-I pray it may not come to
such a crisis as that" she added, pres
emily.
At that moment Marion heard faint
sound outside her chamber door, and,
suspecting that some. one was listening
there, she glided to the door and sud.
denly threw it open.
She came face to face with Judith
Kredge, who was crouching at the key
hole.
Marion's face flushed, and her dark
ewes flashed, as she cried imperatively:
$50 you are eavesdropping. What do
you mean by such conduct? Begone, in
stantly! I shall not retain you in my
service after the present week"
For moment Judith Kredge shranK
away with a guilty look on her repusive
features, but suddenly she turned upon
Marion fiercely and clutched her arm.
"Look at Inc, girl" she Kissed. @Oh,
yes, they killed your father. I know
the truth. You are in my power; in my
power, my proud beauty! Ha! Ha! Now
DISCHARGE me If you dare"
Judith Kredge flung Marion from her,
and crossing the hall entered her own
room.
Marion reeled back with frightful ex-
preston on her face, and she muttered:
What shall do, what shall I do!
This is worse than all the rest.
Meanwhile, when Jason Garrison left
his Office in company with the police
sergeant and Detective Paxton at the
conclusion of the investigation, at the
scene Of the crime, he repaired at once
to his own home, where his daughter
Edna, who had been informed of the
murder when her father left the house,
anxiously awaited his return.
Jason Garrison was O widower, and all
his affection centered on his only child
his daughter Edna, who returned his
love with wealth of filial devotion.
The broker admitted himself to his
residence by means Of latch-key, but
in the hall he staggered like drunken
man as the thought came back to his
mind with renewed force that he was
ruined-that even his home, which
beloved child, he could not
call his own. @LE
Crushed and broken, he groped his
way to the library, but Edna, listening
at her door, heard his familiar steps and
came down to meet him.
The eyes of love are prematurely
sharp, and Edna saw at glance that
some great misfortune had befallen her
father. He sank into q chair and Edna
knelt beside him and sought to induce
him to tell her oil.
Reluctantly then he told the story Of
the murder and the robbery, but he did
not mention the terrible suspecion which
had fallen upon Stuart Harland, for he
wished to spare his daughter the cruel
as long as possible.
And so l am ruined" said the broker
bitterly in conclusion.
Surely it is not so serious as that.
Your creditors will grant you time?"
Edna asked.
"No No Won 6o not kpow Thorn Nv