The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-08-07
A MIDNIGHT
TRAGEDY;
IFle Crime Of tl8
Brokers Office.
w. r. MOTT.
W.T.. MOTT.
CHAPTER Xv1-{Contlnued.J


Weeks proposed visit to my aunt. How
did YOU find that out2" cried Stuart, in
surprise. .,s u
has obtained better situation, and LETT
Pratt 4 Weeks. In short, John Sand
has become my own clerk, replied the
LAWYER. In support OF your story,
shall produce Sand as witness at the
trial"
-And you think I will tell the deliber-
nte falsehood, cunning as it is, which
YOU have concocted in my behalf. No,
sir, will not lie; my innocence must be
established without a resort to such
ruse," said Stuart, resolutely.
you are mad. You must be guided
by me, or you will be convicted Of this
terrible crime," said the attorney,
sternly.
my innocence must be proved with
out falsehood and deception, reiterated
Stuart.
At that moment a turnkey opened
the door Of the cell, and admitted Edna
Garrison.
Without, she had heard the converse
ton which had just passed between
Stuart and the lawyer.
LOQd WAS OtllSllGcu WILL eA0 PteoSANAS
and ingenious defense invented by the
lawyer, and hope sprang up in her heart
rs she listened.
Stuart's positive refusal to save him.
sell, or to attempt to do 80, by means OF
the story proposed by his attorney,
dashed all Of Edna's hopes TO the ground.
: But she was determined that Stuart
should yield. He was innocent, and she
believed that any means should be- re-
sorted to to prove him so. -
! Yes; he must tell the lawyers story
said Edna, mentally. And then at q
sicnal from her the turnkey admitted
her to the cell. -,
stuart was surprised at Ednas sudden
entrance, and one glance at her pale
and anxious face assured him that she
had heard all Of the conversation which
had just taken place between himself
and the attorney.
"You here, Edna!" he cried, taking her
hand.
sYes. And have been listener at
the door. Oh, Stuart, Il you are lost !
shall die. Will you kill me? Will you
break my heart? You must consent to
tell the story your attorney has pro-
posed" said Edna.
But yet, despite her entreaties, Stuart
would not yield at first.
Edna had resolv ID to conquer his OBJ
1ections, and she p, rsisted.
She fell at his feet and in tears be-
sought him to save himself for her sake.
If you refuse you do not love me-
and I shall die!" she cried wildly, car.
1ied away by emotion and excitement.
Stuart was conquered by the tears OF
the woman he loved.
He folded her in his arms, and while
his noble face paled, he said at last:
Il consent. I will tell the story in
vented for me by Our good friend, Mr.
Saybrook."
Such was the attorneys name.
Edna believed that her victory would
save Stuart, and she rejoiced accord
ingly.
Saybrook was delighted.
Now, then, I can work with some
heart. I will confess though, that pub
Lie sentiment is against you, Mr.. Har.
land, and the issue Is still uncertain,
he said.
Then he left the lovers in the cell.
very well pleased with the result OF the
Interview, and withdrew from the prison.
CHAPTER XVII.
The night following the evening or
which Paxton had resolved to arrest
Levi Kredge, the shadow" who haf
followed the janitor since he became al
object Of suspicion, tracked his man
his boarding house.
According to instructions which h
had previously received from Paxton
the shadow remained on the watcl
before Kredge's boarding house.
Presently, as had been arranged, th'
detective made his appearance.
Paxton had come to arrest Kredge.
He regarded the capture Of the janito'
rs 80 very important that he did not care
to delegate the task to any of his sub
ordinates.
The detectives assistant informed hin
that Kredge had entered the house, ane
without delay he rang the bell.
In answer to the detectives summont
the landlady opened the door, and wher
questioned, informed him that Kredg'
was in his room.
Thanks to his previous visit, Paxtor
knew the location Of the janitor's room
and he ran up to it without momentt
delay.
The door Of Kredge's room opened a.
the detectives touch, but Levi kredge
was not in his apartment.
Paxton recoiled as he saw that the
room was empty.
He feared that tie bird had taken the
alarm. and flown.
Darling down stairs, he questioned
the landlady again, tut he soon satisfied
himself that she was ignorant Of
Kredge's flight, if flight it was.
A female domestic was called by the
landlady, and this woman stated that
Kredge had hastily left the house by Q
rear route few minutes previously.
Paxton's fears were realized. Levi
Kredge had, SO to say, slipped through
his fingers.
He searched the house merely as an
ordinary precaution to guard against de-
oeption on the part of his informant.
No trace of kredge was discovered.
Paxton upbraided himself, saying:
.why did delay; ought to have ar
rested him long ago."
Half an hour later the detective had
returned to his Office, and some of his
shrewdest and most successful auxiliar-
les were instructed to seek for KredSe.
But for the time, at least, no trace OF
The fugitive was found.
Vain was every effort to trace I'm.
Judith was shadowed and all 0tacr pre-
cautions which suggested themselves TO
the detective were taken, but without
result.
Meanwhile, Stuart Harland's trial
commenced.
The case attracted the greatest atten-
ton, but detailed report Of the pro-
xNt 1,. C,,y