The sun., 1900-11-20
A BLOODY SLEEVE.

village, which was a small one, con-
sisted of one long street running par
allel with the coast and numerous
cross streets running down from the
hillside and ending on the wharfs.
On one of the corners thus made stood
the Webb house, with its front door
on the main street and it's side door
on one of the hillside lanes. AS the
group OF men and boys who had been
in search of Mr.. Sutherland entered
this last mentioned lane they could
| pick out this house from all the others,
as it was the only one In which O light
was still burning. Mr.. Sutherland lost
no time in entering upon the scene of
the tragedy. AS his imposing figure
emerged from the darkness and paused
on the outskirts Of the crowd blocking
up every entrance to the hosse, mur-
muir of welcome went up, after which
way was made for him to the front
door.
But before he could enter some one
plucked him by the sleeve.
"Look upw whispered voice into
his ear.
He did SO and saw woman's body
hanging half out of an upper window.
1t hung limp, and the sight made him
sick Notwithstanding his thrcescore
years of experience.
"Nho's that?" he cried. "That's not
| Agatha Webb's head and shoulders"
mo, it's Batsy, the cook. She's dead
too. We left her where we found
her for the coroner to see"
but this Is horrble!' murmured Mr..
Sutherland. elias there been a butch
er hereY
| As he uttered these words he felt an
other quick pressure on his arm. Look
ing down, he saw leaning against him
the form of Il young woman, but before
he could address her she had started
upright again and was moving on with
the throng. 1t was Miss Page.
sit was the sight of this woman
hanging from the window which first
drew attention TO the house." volun-
! teered man who was standing as
| sort OF guardian at the main gateway
Some of the sailors wives who had
been to the wharfs to see their hus-
i bsAhho VII OLA tht tndl ut udN-
break saw it as they came up the lane
on their way home and gave the alarm.
Without that we might not yet have
known what had happened"
| But Mrs. Webb"
"Come in and see."
| There was a board fence about the
simple yard within which stood the
humble house forever after to be point
ed out as the scene of Sutherland
towns most heartrending tragedy. In
this fence was gate, and through this
gate now passed Mr.. Sutherland and
his would be companion, Miss Page.
A path bordered by lilac bushes led the
way to the house, the door Of which
stood wide open. AS soon as Mr..
Sutherland entered upon this path a
man appeared from the house and
came directly toward him. 1t was
/ Amos Fent0n, the constable.
"Ah, Mr.. Sutherland" said he, "sad
business. a very sad business! But
what little girl have you there?"
"This is Miss Page, my housekeeper's
niece. She would come. Inquisitive-
ness, the cause. | do not approve of
it,"
"Miss Page must remain on the door
step. We allow no one inside except
ing yourself he said respectfully, in
recognition of the fact that nothing of
importance was ever undertaken in
Sutherldndtown without the presence
of Mr., Sutherland.
Miss Page courtes!ed, looking so be-
witching in the fresh morning light
that the tough Old constable scratched
his chin in srudging admiration. Eut
lie did not reconsider his determination
Seeing this she accepted her defeat
gracefully and moved aside to whore
the bushes offered her more or less pro.
lection from the curiosity of those
about her Meanwhile Mir. Sutherland
had stepped into the house.
He found himself in a small han
! with a staircase in front ana an open
door ut the left. On the threshold of
! this open door man stood, who at
sight of him doffed his hat Passing
| by this man, Mr.. Sutherland entered
the room beyond. a table spread with
eatables met his view, beside which. in
moment as peculiar, sat Philemon
Webb, the well known master Of the
| house.
Astonished ut seeing his old friend in
this room ana in such position, lie
was about to address him when Mr..
Fenton stopped him.
"Wait!" said he "rake n look Mt
poor Philemon before you disturb him
He was sitting just as you see hiEl
| when we h,"tp info the house hnlf
hour ago, and we have let him be for
reasons you can easily appreciate. Ex-
anime him closely, Mr.. Sutherland; he
won't notice it."
"But what ails him? Why does he
sit crouched against the table? Is he
hurt, too?"
mo- look at his eyes"
Mr.. Sutherland stopped and pushed
aside the long gray locks that half con-
cealed the countenance of his aged
friend.
"Why," he cried startled, "they are
closed! He isn't deadY
mo; he is asleep"
"Asleep?"
"Yes. lie YVES asleep whom we came