The Monroe journal. [volume] (Monroe, N.C.) 189?-1965, 1910-08-30
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The Mystery of !
Black Mountain s.;
How the Perpetrator of !
a Murder Was Discovered. !
BY JOHN LOUIS BERRY. J
Copyright. i9ee. by American Press !
Association
BY JOHN LOUIS BERRY.
Copyright. i9ee. by American Press
Association.

the stormy sky. There was a wide
cash in the head Beside the body lay
the brutal implement of the hideous
deed-an ak.
Phil cried Jack in horror stricken
tones, bending down and feeling the
heart. My God. he is deadw
Dead" repeated Clare, "and you
killed him."
Il? Why. Miss Fleming. you must
be mad. / swear
She held up her hand. Not another
word. Please see me to the edge Of the
wood"
Jack Lawrence was held for the muir
der.
One afternoon a week before the day
Of the trial Jack was surprised by
visit from Clare Fleming.
I'm going away" she explained.
"and l didn't want to leave without
saying goodby."
Thank YOU" be answered quietly.
do you still believe me guiltyT
Don't ask me. please"
He sighed heavily.
rs there anything I can do for
you" she asked eagerly.
Eyes. Try TO believe that I'm limo.
cent. viii you try, ClareY
Eyes, Jack; Ill try-with all my
soul"
Thank you. You didn't see me strike
him with the AK. did you"
NO" She was silent n moment, gaz-
ing at him steadily. Tell me, are you
innocent or guilty?'
Innocent. so help me God"
She held out her hand. IL believe
you" she said. then. ashamed Of her
tears, hurriedly left him.
Out in the street she met her uncle,
Judge Hughes.
I'm on my way to reserve your
berth. my dear" he said. "The train
has changed time, and
But I'm not going away-just yet"
she interrupted.
You don't say so. Wen, il you're
not the most notionate young LADY,
But she laughed and FASTENED past him.
Reaching Dizzy Lodge. the Hughes
home, she ordered her pony saddled
and soon was galloping up Black
mountain. She did not draw rein until
arriving at Piney Bits cabin. The old
man was hard at work chopping wood.
Good afternoon" she said gracious
ly. 1--WE heard that you're the only
person In the county who believes Jack
innocent of the murder"
Bill did not respond with much alac-
rity. Because of this handsome. dash
ing young woman one Of his boys was
dead and the other was virtually con-
demned to die.
well, Mr.. Bill, that's mistake"
she continued good humoredly, for
here's another who believes him limo
cent"
Bill gave his ax rest. Your he
Queried increduously.
Come. now" she said brlskly, dis
mounting. Lets 60 to the place where
poor Phil met his death and talk 1t
ever. Maybe we can reach some con.
clusion."
do you remember the exact spot?"
Bill asked doubtfully.
"Yes. The tree was struck by light
ming"
"Praps Phil was struck too" he
hazarded, with sublime hope.
She shook her head. no; 1t was
that horrible ax. Somebody killed him
with that, and you and must find
out who 1t was
In a few moments they were stand
ing on the fatal spot. The tree had
been struck by lightning. as Clare had
said. and was now partly burned and
shriveled semblance Of its former
kingly self. The two friends of the
accused examined the surroundings
carefully. but found nothing that led
to cew. There seemed to be only
hopelessness ahead.
The day of the trial came. The pros
ecution then-called its first and only
witness, Clare Fleming. She told a
simple and straightforward story OF
how on the afternoon Of the picnic she
and the murdered man had met the
accused and of how when she and
Phil were hurrying home in the rain
and darkness Phil had been struck on
the head with an ak, thereby killing
him.
The defense began the cross exam
nation.
you were with Mr.. Hastings at the
time he met his death"
"Yes."
ibid be cry outT'
HE simply Iell to the ground"
Ibid you see the murderer do the
deed"
mo"
Ibid you see the accused anywhere
nearY
mo"
Ibid you suspect him then of the
murder?
yes"
"Wby?"
"Because"-she hesitated-"of their
quarrel In the afternoon"
"And you left the body and went to
hunt for him"
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