The Cotton Factory Times. — 1904-03-11 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

TWO VISITORS.  Nearly a fortnight had elapsed sine(' the night Dan Ashton had died after making that sing War oonfaLsion; and the late landlord was now Weeping peacefully iii Warringharn Cemetery. Dan's u,unklrew was still lodged in the borough gaol, and at the inquest hekl.on Ashtan'a decease a _ _  verdict of "wilful'. murder" had been returned  against Walter Mayhew. The old hostelry at the bottom of Millgate was olosed at present, and Nano,' Ashton and her foster-, daughter had left the town, having gone, at the repeated urging of Mark Eliot, to a little watering place on the banks of the Mersey. There they were beyond the clamour and conflict that Dan's tragic, death had set afoot in the little Lancashire town.  But our hero was still in Warringham, for he was expecting the arrival at any hour of his relative from America. Mark was sitting one sunny afternoon at his window, looking down upon the busy thoroughfare below along which the mill people were plodding to and from their dinners, when one of the hotel maids entered, saying : " A couple of gentlemen from America haws called So me you, sir." "Show them iit,^ he replied, and a few moments later Paul Linwood and C7tualie Henketki burbt, into tile room with a pleased look upon thaw faoee and outstretelted hands.  Mr. Linwood--and you, too, Charlie. How glad I am to bee you both !" Then there wee much hearty shaking of hands. and as the three men stood faoing•ohe another, the eldest cried:  "How's this, Mark? From your cablegram I expected to find you dying or dead." When I wired to you I was under arrest on a charge of murder—had confessed the orkoe," Mark answered, "and I certainly believed that it was all over with me. Sit down and have something, and I will tell you all about it." Presently the trio were seated, were sampling a bottle of the best wine the hotel contained, and were each smoking a good cigar. Then Mark told his companions of all that had happened since his coming to the town. When he had finished his amazing recital he asked:  "How °ernes it, Charlie, that you are barJc again?"  " Mr. Linwood will tell you, Mark," Charlie replied with .a smile._  "I found your old friend in New York," Mr. Linwood remarked, and as he seemed to have nothing particular to engage him I insisted upon him accompanying me here. I knew you were in trouble of some kind, and I thought Mr. Hesketh would be of great help." "We've turned up too late, it swim," Charlie said; and I suppose I may as well make tracks for the States again." "Not yet, old fellow," Mark exclaimed. "I do not think you will need to go back at all. In a short time I shall be a factory master, and you are going to manage my mills. My dead father's brother, Richard Harwood, has held possession for over a score of years of what was rightfully mine, and to avoid all exposure he is willing to make full restitution now."  " Didn't I tell you, Mark," Flesketh burst forth, that you were going to be the hero of some romantic story; and only to think that you would probably never have discovered anything of all this if the Johnstown flood hadn't happened, and if you hadn't saved Mr. Linwood there." " You forget, Charlie. that I should never have goue to Johnstown at all but for your generous help. Well, it was fated to happen, I suppose; and I shall have a chaafce soon, old man, of showing how much I think of your generosity and friendship." "I should like to see this Richard Harwood," 11:ir. Linwood remarked in the pause that followed Mark's last utteranoe.  "You ha.ll, and at once. Be knows you are coming, and I promised to introduce him to you. If you don't mind, we will walk to Bank House, where Mr. Harwood lives. We have plenty of time and can manage to get back for tea."  _ Mr. Linwood readily agreed to this proposal, and presently the three friends passed out of the hotel, at the door of which a cab was hailed to convey them to Bank House. Jut as they were stepping into the vehicle the Chief Constable of the town ran across the street and tapped Mark upon the shoulder, saying in low the :  "Have you heard the news?" "What news?" Mark asked as be paused with One foot on the step of the cal), and wondered what the Chief Constable was referring to.  'About Waiter Mayhew."  " No. What is it ?" "He is dead. We found him in the cell half an hour ago. It's strange you have not beard about it"  "What waa the matter with him?" "He committed suicide, in order to cheat the hang. man, I suppose !"