The Washington times., 1908-06-28

that he could not and would not speak
a word on the subject connected with
the ira gedy-at least, not al this time
lie hurriedIy entered his motor-car,
in company with Sergeant
NEG uire. and drove TO police head
quarters. where he was closeted with
the chief Of The detective bureau for
more than half an hour. II has been
know n for some time that John 3.
Cloughs will contained several large
beQuests 10 charitable societies and -
stitutions as well as making provision
for his nephews. Henry Brewster and
Acton Clough. Whether or not he was
about 10 make radical changes in the
document al the tine of his :1urder, or
had already done 50, Is = matter Of
which only Mr. GARRISON end The wit
nesses TO the document can know any
thing definite.
Acton Clough. the artist, arrived at
the mansion at about hall past nine
O'Clock. lie was extremely nervous,
and said ia a trembling voice that he
had nothing Whatever TO say 10 he
press at this time. He visited his
uncles Dedchamber. where, It Is said
on good authority, he broke down md
hNkAs anu NtAe trANNA LAR3NN~A ffANA+ -
tective-Sergeant Mcguire and the cor
oner for more than an ho1r.
After this conference he insisted on
telephoning for Harper Colville, his
personal friend and attOrnes, and
would answer no more or the many
and searching questions put TO MIN.
He finally drove away in his motor
car 10 the Architects Club. where he
has rooms. His counsel consented 10
give out The following statement for
mis- client:
You may say TO the public that MI
Acton CIOugh, who is a nervous and
highly strung man, OF the keenest sen
sibniues, is well-nigh FRUSTRATED by
the tragic death Of his uncle. for
whom he had the highest regard as
being his greatest benefaCJOT. lie says
that l may frankly state to you that
the only subject Of discOrd existing
between him and his uncle was cen
corning his picture, recently exhibited
in the Essex Gallery. Mr.. Acton
CIoush would noI comply with his
uncie's desire TO have the picture re
moved.
last night he learned that the pic
ture mad been taken from the gallery
by a man who had brought a written
order, signed by a forgery of his (Ac-
ton CIOughs) name. Visiting mis- uncle
last night ne found the picture ia his
room, much mUtilated. and accused
him Of removing and destroying IL
WORK; whereUpOn Mr.. Clough declared
that he had not done SO. but that the
picture mad been brought 10 the house
by a man who said he had been sent
By Acton CIOugh. and that on opening
the package he mad found il in its
present mutuated condition.
Mr. Acton Clough desires me 10
say for him that ne now believes Ills
uncle's story. strange as II was, 10 be
true, and that he bitterly regrets the
harsh feelings that existed between
them when they parted, shortly be
fore 10 o'clock last night"
Turning the page at the end Of the
column, Marcella saw a large repro
duction of the picture which, after
stirring the towns interest-indeed, the
whole art worlds interest-had now
come 70 play such a singular part in
this tragedy. Though she had seen
the original when IL hung in the GAL
lery. and many reproductions, she
studied il closelT.
It was ahastIy thing. yet full of
a subtle fascination that plunged lie
mind among singular dreams and inn
aginings at which the heart shudder-
ed. The newspaper reproductions lack
ed the colors OF the original. but as
Marcclla gazed absorbedly at the
bIack-and-white replica. the origina
painting rose before her mird in ali
its VividneSs.
She saw again the terrible snake
the image OF all that Is eternally
hateful and repulsive 10 normal hu-
man beings-looking out with peculiar,
hooking eyes. Under its heavy, sullen
folds. sleek and shining and spotted
were scattered the bones and skulls
Of men and women, and in the fore
ground OF the picture advanced a
procession OF its destined victims.
In that sad pageant were laughing
children. beautiful girls. strong men
and blooming women. as well as the
AGED. the crippled. the weary. the rich
and the poor; all types OF humanity
seemed &c be represented And III,
snake awaited their coming. languidly
and scornfulIy. its folds coiled. in il.
home
Now. the place where it crouchet
was the stranEest thing about this
strange production
1t was drawn ana colored IN such &
manner that. in some lights ana 4
different orders of eyesight. it assum
ed different appearances. Some critic,
believed that this dusky, amOrphou'
place was intended 90 represent a hu
man heart. and that the snake was tn
symbol Of the sin or wickedness thai
at some time in all lives either tempt:
or impels the soul to ruin.
other critics went further and saiC
that the shadows had the dusky Inca
ments Of a human face and form,
female figure. and that Acton Clougl
was preaching against the wiles o
women. Others declared that thes'
dusky lines were meant for man auC
that the artist represented the Spiri
of mammon. All agreed, however. tina
il was altogether too horrible fo
much study and that the man VIII,
had painted il must be perfOrce NOR
bid and unbalanced.
Marcena shuddered. remembering
the effect Of the canvas.
All, Mr.. Acton Clough will havl
10 explain much more than he has ex
planned concerning the events Of las
night she thought The ndnd tina
could place that awful picture on can
49, .,rrTT ,...efT.- ..urafzr. esrs.1, .