Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-07-17
TWO STRANGE DEATHS

UeTIdIu, Tic We'll Aho"n
was shown into the handsome private
Office Of Nathaniel Nugent, the even
better known millionaire company pro-
moter.
Nugent rose with extended hand-a
bland smile appearing on bis usually
impasslve features, which remained
there till the clerk withdrew. Then It
disappeared with the swiftness OF
magic-lantern slide, leaving his face
rigid and CHASTITY.
Gerard, for Gods sake, don't tell
me you must have that money back
noww
That's just what have to tell you.
Nugent, and sorry am to do 1t, but
was hard hit over Kaffrs, and this new
scare has made matters worse than
ever"
"Then I'm a ruined man."
There was a dead silence In the office
for a few moments. A look Of despair
crept over Nugent's face, and his guest
looked almost as Ill at ease. Suddenly
steps were heard on the stairs.
THAT'S Lord Mount Dacre, one Of
our directors. He half suspects some
thing already, and II be sees you here
he will guess at once what you have
come about"
What can I do? Is there another
way out?"
"No-but stay! Step into that cup
board. He won't be here many min
utes."
Hastily pushing Gerard into a large
cupboard, Nugent locked the door, and
turned smilingly to greet another I'M
welcome guest.
As Lord Mount Dacre discussed the
business Of the company In which they
were mutually concerned. bis hearer
was on tenter hooks, for there was .
slight noise In the cupboard.
Dear me, didn't know you had an.
other room adjoining. I hope we can
not be overheard"
NO no, it's merely cupboard" said
Nugent, and he got rid Of his visitor az
quickly as possible, and then went to
set Gerard free.
The atmosphere Of the cupboard
seemed unusually oppressive.
"Come out-he's gone. Why, Ger.
rard. where are your" demanded he, as
nothing stirred.
Then his hand touched another hand
which was cold and llfeless.
my God!-he's dead"
When Nugent had partially recow
cred from the shock which this disc0v.
cry gave him, he found that the accI.
dental closing Of a ventllator had been
the cause of the catastrophe.
Then he called in Wells, the clerk
who had shown Gerard into the Office.
Wells, formerly a schoolfellow Of M.
gents, 20 years his head clerk, was the
one man in London from whom tho
great company promoter had no Sc
crets.
"Now, Wells, what Is to be done?i
You must think, for I'm nearly past 1t.
The fact of Gerrard's having come to
my office will be enough to ruin me,
for there are rumors out In the city al
ready about our dealings and, besides
that his executors will demand repay
ment of all the money l owe him. In
any case I'm ruined now
"Who knows that he came here ex.
cepting ourselves?'
did nobody see you let him in?'
"No, he came in by the side door,
which l always attend to myself
"But might not some one in the
street have seen him coming in?"
Impossible in a fog like this, SIR"
"Why, mol suppose not-then you
mean to suggest"
"That we search the body-see IL by
any luck he has your papers on him
II he has burn them, and-put the body
into the river"
"But this is terrlble-and it amounts
to fraud"
"Why should you look at It like that,
sir? You can repay the money to his
friends anonymously when things
mend, and you said this morning every
thing would 90 right If only you could
keep the money another six months"
"1'rue-I hate the idea. Wells, but I
don't see what else I'm to d. and-Ill
risk it,
Some hours later two men CROPPED
their way through the fog which had
driven nearly everybody indoors. The
men carried somn mysterious hurthen,
whicN at any other time would have
provoked some pol,ceman's Curiosity,
but tonight, when a nan could hardly
soc his hand before him. even under
the street lamps. the mon and their
burthcn passed urcha!lenged.
Were Eear'y vt the wharf. sir,
now" whispered Wells as the no Sc Of
the syrens grew every moment more
distinct keep your courage up-an-
other few steps and we're safe-my
God.--"
As he uttered this exclamation Wells
fell over the edge Of the wharf, drag
ging with him the body Of Gerard.
After desperate bnt vain attempts Mt
rescue Nugent left the wharf, well nigh
demented by the horror Of the situa-
ton. He had sufficient self-control,
however. to be silent as to what had
occrrrpd md when fine bodies Of the