The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-09-16
. MURDERER'S IMPULSE.
rHEsWEAK POINT IN PAUL PoLoFF's
SCHEME or FORTUNE.
u,.t.ry Of MERRILL Heaton's Death-hi'
Daughters Desire TO ~-foionf
CournnE and Abe Cronkite's Detective
WORK The Accusing handkerchief

Dan RHterG besiFc
CourunE and Abe Cronkites DETECTIVE
Work The Accusing handkerchief
Merrill Heaton's suburban seat near the
north end Of the island commanded n view OF
,he harbor, the rivor and the wooded Jersey
shore. with tho Heaton Optical Works. the
.o,rce OF his wealth and fame. In plain sight
on the western horizon line A fine spot and
a peaceful one for an elderly gentlemen 10
stroll OF an afternoon in the leisure becoming
bis wears. when the breeze qualified the heat
and the elms cast their grateful shade. NO
wonder that he was wont 10 traverse the pheasant
paths, contemplating his good fortunes, the
high International reputation OF his house,
and tho oms tic happiness which he found
IN the tender love OF his wife and their only
child Ger trude.
But. ON one such summer afternoon. other
thoughts accompanied Merrill Heaton In his
strollinx He was perplexed. as a good man
often Is. by the unexpected challenge OF evil
All his impulses were charitable and generous
vat business acumen warned him he must Do
Just And 40. as II 20 gain time from decision
he paused in a break, where a little knoll stood
out a. a point Of observa ton. and gazed upon
Tho scene he loved -nevermore to beeuile MN
with its tranquil assurances. There was a
terrific blow from behind with a Jagged bilet'
and Merrill Heaton lay dead In the sunlight
while the rattle and plunge OF his murderers
retreat down the embankment mingled dis
~ccudantly with the shrill pipings OF birds pro-
testing against so rude an invasion OF their
psr adise.
The police came. the police went; the papers
theorized. the papers soolded. but the mystery
of the death remained unsolved. According
10 medical Judgment. a full hour had elapsed
before the body was discovered. In the mean
time, there had been Il violent shower, com
pletehr obliterat ting any tracks. No Inference
could be derived from the weapon. astick picked
from the woodptle, except that the assassin
had bepn pruden { In It's choice. Interest waxed'
and interest waned. other crimes more SEN
sational occurred. and the Heaton case was
by common consent relegated 70 that limbo
Of obi Won. where 50 many murders that will
NOT out are confined.
There IL no orgetfulness. however, In the
homestead whero two women. mother and
daughter, mourned for the one who had been
it's head. Their grief differed in expression.
hat not in intensity. The widow looked Tor
yard 10 another exlstenos for the recompense
Of reunion. In the awful fact that her hus-
b,ud had gone from her. the manner OF his
death and the immunity Of his murderer we're
swallowed up. But Gertrude was consumed
by the fires Of a righteous wrath. Somewhere
on the face Of the earth, in fancied security.
WIS the NllLln WHO Hhl -ldAn = Nv oh'h
he was caught and punished there could be no
rest Of body or soul for her. Her mind. over
wrought by horror. dwelt on her supreme
duty to avenge. until il became a fixed idea,
and ~ she declared, and in such a way that 1t
becune well known in the little community
OF the vicinity that not only would she never
mnrry while her fathers murderer was at
large but that she would give her hand and
ample fortune to the man who brought him
10 Justice. should he exact such a reward for
his deed.
Young Herbert Lowering. who lived In the
adjoining place. heard the tale and was greatly
distressed thereby. Not only did it disappoint
the hopes which his lifelong intimacy with
Gertrude had naturally encouraged but 1t
raised an unselfsh dread lest she should be
sacrificed. A quiet. scholarly man. without
robust health and unknowing of the world.
he realized bitterly that he was unfit for such
a tourney, therefore he sought the advice Of
Josiah Marcellus, his former guardian. who
was now the executor Of Mr.. Heatons will
The Judge shrugged his shoulders. with the
resignation Of an old bachelor for woman's
whims. and then, after some philosOphic re-
factions on the prudence OF always employing
a substitute, sent him TO Abe Cronkite for that
assistance which the ex-detective was 80 well
qualified to render him.
Paul Polor, at the works, heard the story,
and II caused him hours ~ meditation before
he acted. A valuable man was Polon, a Hun
garian nv birth, who had passed an exhaustive
apprenticeship in tho best scientific workshops
OF mis- country before coming hither to put tho
one finishing touch of perfection on the Heaton
Lenses. Ayoung man still was Polon, in the
thrties. unmarried, occupying in an eccentric
way one OF the towers Of the factory. sleeping
during the day. toiling throughout the night,
yes always prompt with orders and satisfactory
in their execution,
Gertrude Heaton had never fancied this
man the few times she had met him al her
fathers table. There was an enusiveness
in his manner which struck her as insincere;
there was a Difference TO her opinion which
their acquaintance did not justify. Hence.
her impulse 70 take advan tage of her seclusion
was so strong, one day, when his card was
brought to her. that she would have dined
hsrself. had 1t not been for a line beneath the
name, ION a matter close 10 your heart" As
II was shs descended 10 where he waited all
a-rembs from hopes indefinite but tumul-
tuous.
What Is it' Have you any clue to the
murder" she cried abruptly.
Softly, my dear young lady began Paul
taking the girls hand and leading her TO a
window seat What If 1 have2 What IT,
though Tar distant at the tlme, i was never.
thelsss an actual eyewitness TO the tragedy
what them"
why. your love OF justice, your respect
for my father. your employer. your character
as a good citizen. all. all, must inpel you tC
reveal at once TO the police what you know
to
Softly. my dear lady. | am a poor foreigner
unaoquainted with your legal forms, timorou'
Of your police. I believe In justice. yes; bul
n every man will mind his own affairs. ther
Justice will reign undisputed. Your honorec
father. truly. was a good man; but | rendered
him faithful service for his wage; we are quits
and he Is gone forever, | say again. wha
then?"
Then why did you come TO me?" moaneC
the girl in q torment o, uncertainty.
because 1 adore you" returned Paul; anc
then followed a scene which can be readily
imagined. In which the poor girl. led on by fur
tive promise and threat finally agreed tina
she would marry him. when he had made goo,
his word and brought about the punishment
OF her fathers murderer.
The story which Polof told was strang,
bur not unnatural in It's details, lie had beel
working that afternoon. he explained. owe
In his room, in the tower of the factory. oi
n taLa5ropa of unusual pOwer When the las