The free press. (Southern Pines, N.C.) 1898-19??, 1905-07-14
CirCumstantial Evidence
BY LIEUT.. fURRAY.


made to discover a solution of the
mystery, but all to no purpose
/ Harry Cummings found the coast
clear, so to speak and in a few days
| he ventured TO tell Miss Mari how
! Jenderly he loved her, and how long
he had done so. To his great delight
| he found that his affection was re-
/ ciprocated
Tie excitement at the sudden disap-
! pearance OF Frank Osgood in no way
abated.
Suddenly it was remembered how
bitter all enmity had lately sprung up
between him and young Cummings
The officers of the law even referred 10
the proposed duel which had been pre-
vented by the interference of the au-
thorlties, and it was more than limited
that possibly Harry Cummings might
throw some light upon the matter
In his absence from home one day
a detective called at his house with a
search warrant, much to the csnster-
nation of the family This officer had
with him measure representing the
footprints under the missing mans
windows and he found that Harry's
shoes just fitted the impression. which
seemed to him to be such conclusive
evidence of his having been present
beneath the window that he sought the
Office of the district attorney at once
Strange whispers were heard about
the neighborhood. Harry Cummings
was Kept under close surveillance by
the local police. All his mornings
and outgoings were carefully observed,
but nothing suspicious could be found
against him except the fatal accurac"
with which his shoes fitted those
marks under the missing mans win
dow, and also the fact that he was
50 bitter an enemy of Frank Osguod
The sentiment Of jealousy supplied a
motive, and altogether a rather sus-
pic1ous case kgan to grow up against
young Cummings.
Though on examination It appeared
that Frank had left no money in his
room, it was also remembered that he
Usually carried a pocketbook with him
the most, if not all, of his
available cash. He was in the receipt
If a regular salary from his father |
md, as his habits Were economical. he |
must have had a considerable sum in |
lis pocketbooll But still there was /
10 reason to suspect that a robbery /
lad taken place. The missing man (
must have been induced to leave his |
u8sn~ tets5rt fsiy. dat was plain,
hough why or wherefore was a pro-
ound mystery.
In their researches, the detectives
earned another fact. which, as a link
n the chain. looked very important to
hem, and very suspicious There was
O latchkey to the door OF the Cum
lings house and anyone desiring en-
rance after a certain hour. when the
rent door was always locked. would
e compelled to ring and summon
ne of the servants. 1t was remom-
cred by the maid, whose duty it was
} answer the dOorbell that on Tues
ay night when Frank Osgood had
her young master, Harry,
ad come home very late, long after
re had retired, and she was obliged to
ct up and put on a wrapper TO open
lie door for him. She was very s,eery
lie said and just remembered The
ct, but nothing more She c0uid
)t even tell the time, but thought It
as after midnight She did not no.
e her young masters appearance on
e occasion, as she was half asleep
the time Such was the girls sim
e evidence.
Harry Cummings was now arrested
ID thrown into prison. Evidence SUI !
ient was thought to exist to impli-
tie him, and the cry once raised, pub
opinion gradually set against him !,
lie proposed duel the known bitter
IS existing between him and the :,
ssing man, the footprints exactly
ting those of his own shoes, his alb
nee from home on that special night :,
an unusual hour, all seemed to point J.
completely in his former friends
nearly as strongly RS =
evidence could DO.
Of course, the accused procured the v
st possible legal assistance, and r.
md no difficulty in convincing his :,
lnsel of his innocence of the charge -
ought against him, but at the same :
lie the legal gentleman YVES COM -
led TO admit that there was con- -
cradle ground for a case against his :, -
ent Harry explained to his law y
that be had taken long walk that ~
ming into the country. and in an w
,orbed frame Of mind had gone fur
r than he knew Of, and that when "
turned to come home, he was him
surprised at the distance he had Az
Iked. This was the cause Of his not al
ting home that Tuesday night until 81
t after midnight ~
What were you thinking about TO ''
orb you SOP asked his lawyer. '''
Miss MARI" said Harry, frankly. -
was making up my mind TO propose ~
her, and was weighing the proper
rise to pursue in case / found her 'o
fferent, or if there should be any W
tacee raised. 1t may seem a slight "0
ter to you" he continued to his
il adviser, but it was all absorb
to me, and ! neither saw nor heard
4, We