Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-06-19
THE FITTEST SURVIVES.
BY j. II. CONNELLY.
Copyright, 1895, by the Author.
CHAPTER Xxx.

paper, purchased en- route, while pass
ing through Pennsylvania, that John
Latham first read Of the murder OF the
banker, Richard Willmarth. The kill
ing Of 30 rich and prominent citizen,
the apparent boldness Of the crime, and
the mystery thrown about it in the
earlier publications Of the event, made
the news of such interest that it was
given prominence in all the dailies Of
the country. But comparatively few OF
those to whom the knowledge was
brought could have felt such interest
in 1t as John Latham. How, he asked
himself, would it affect the fortunes Of
his friend, Chester Sewall? Would 1rma
Willmarth. presumably free now to fol-
low the bent Of her own 1nclinations,
reward the constant affection Of her
lover by making him her husband at as
early day as propriety would permit?
Or might it be that her obstinate father
had found some ingenious legal device
for still -consraining her to his will?
There was also just possibility-by no
means probable, however, he reflected
that the sudden acquisition Of i1depend-
ence and control of great wealth might
modify her ideas Of the desirability OF
matrimony. At all events, he concluded,
the sudden death Of Mr.. Willmarth was
most likely to prove rather fortunate
thing for Chester, particularly II he
should take exactly the right course OF
action. That the young man would do
30 without better guidance than his
own John doubted. and he was conse-
quently impatient to get home and offer
such counsel and aid as might appear
TO be required
To the time Of his reaching Trenton,
hardly an hours ride from New York,
each train Of thought in John Latham's 8
mind connected with the subject Of the
Willmarth murder had Chester Sewall's
interests for its objective point, but
there he obtained an afternoon paper, in
which he read:
"It is now known that Mr.. Willmarth
was going to see man named Michael
McCaffrey when he met his death. The
discovery Of this fact was triumph OF
detective genius 1t puts in the hands OF
the police the key for elucidation of the
mystery. The ends Of justice compel the
suppression Of details for the present.
No arrests have yet been ordered, but
they can be made at any moment and
are hourly expected
Going to see Michael McCafrey!
Mrs. Hall had not confided to him the
name Of the man who 80 deeply wronged
her husband, or even given hint that
might suggest his Identification, but
John Latham knew it now. Richard
Willmarth was the man! And it was in
going to meeting with his former ac-
complice or tool that he had met death!
Well, if this was not poetic justice" it
would be difficult to say what might be.
Willmarth the man? Of course he was.
The unscrupulous resolute selfishness
and avarice which were popularity recog-
nized Us his dominant characteristics
would have qualified him for such a
deed as the widow alleged, and his pow
er Of wealth and influence were such as
would justify her dread Of awaking the
antagonism Of her unnamed enemy un-
til she was sure Of the weapons with
which to meet him. And now, as an
added proof, if one were needed, the
name of his long hidden coparcener in
crime, Michael McCaffrey, cropped up,
linked with his in close and secret asso-
citation.
By the time his train had reached
Jersey City Mr.. Latham had clearly
planned his course Of procedure. Travel
stained and weary as he was, he deter
mined upon going into action at once,
without waiting even to consult his
principal, Mrs Hall Sending his valises
home by express, he jumped into the
first hack that presented itself on the
New York side Of the ferry and ordered
himself taken with all possible speed to
the station house of the precinct in
which Mr.. Willmarth had lived. Ches-
ter Sewall's interests and his relations
to the Willmarth family were, for the
time being forgotten. The widow Halls
concerns took precedence Of everything
else in Johns estimation just then. He
wondered if she knew that McCafrey
had come to light or was likely to be
made to do 80. Of course she must have
been informed by the morning papers
that Willmarth was dead, and no doubt
took it for granted that in his so escap-
ing her long prayed for vengeance her
hopes Of attaining justice were extin-
guished Probably she would not see the
evening paper at all It was his impress
sion that she did not read evening pa
pers. Should he telegraph to her? No,
he decided that he would not until he
had accomplished something.
His cogitations were interrupted by
the stopping Of the hack at the station
house door.
The police captain received Mr.. La
than courteously and heard with mani
fest interest the frank statement he
made Of his reasons for desiring an i'm
mediate interview with Michael McCaf-
frey, for whose address he asked
II have no reason to doubt, said the
captain, re1ectively reviewing the case
after hearing him through, THAT Will
marth would have been quite capable Of
doing what you have told me. He had
kba ,,oru fotiop ~ haipp a hard man Ii