10 THE O ATTA DATLT BE73 : STTtTDAT , MAttClI 5 , 1800.
VS
AUTHOR
OF tr
"Tho AGATHA WEBB. 9
Loavenworth
" Jill ANNA KAT1IAP1NE QltEKX.
Case ,
StntipNl * of I'riTPilliin Clinptrr * .
Just aftr a bMl at the Sutherland
Jnanslon Agatharbb nnd her servant ute
found ( lend , and Philemon Webb , Agatha's
husband , who for years hai been growlttR
< lorn nt * l , IB dHrovrrc I nsle i at the illnmr
tablet. A trace of blood on his slenvo polnt.i
to him n the nuirdrrir. Mr Sutherland
nnd the lornl marshal , r 4iton , Inveslk'tU.
Auatlift Webb Is known to but few nt a
rich -woman The key to her nion"V dr.iwcr
Is fouml clutehrd In her muni. MIM I'IRC ,
a nlpcu of Buthorlntid'H hoii'fke pcr , pcr-
Blsls In remaining about the Wc-ub premlsi s
nnd dlsi overs blood on the grass. The
motiuy drawer In founJ lo be emptv and
robbcrv Is added to the tnvsterv Proderlck
( iiithcrlnnd. a wavwnrd youth calls his
rather to witness hi-1 dmorminatlon to bo a
better mnn and promise * not to mnrr\ Miss
J'.IR * . by whom he his been fascinated
Miss Page tells Trcd'Hck tll.it she follow nd
Iiltrt the night of the murder nnd knew
where ho had secreted { 1,000. She gives
him a w ok to deolde vvhetliei to murrv her
or br > proolalmod tu the murderer ot Agatha
"Webb.
OUAPTKH IA.
Tliere was hut one topic dlsoussed In ttoft
countryside that day , and that waa the life
nnd character of Agatha Webb.
Her lilstory had not b en a happy ono.
She nnd Philemon had come from Port-
oheslcr eome twenty or more years befo.'o
to oicare the sorrows aBsoclntcd with thi'lr
natho town. They had left behind thoni
nix small graves In I'oitchester churchjnrd ,
but though evidences of their aflllctlon wcro
always to bo KOCH In the countenances of
olthor , they had entered with so much pur
pose Into the llfo of their adopted town that
they had become pertons of note there till
Philemon's health began to fail , when
Agatha quit all outside work and devoted
Jiorsolf exclusively to him. Of her character
nnd w-lnsomo pcrsoni.illty wo can gather some
Idea from the various con\crsatlons carried
on that day from Portchcster Green to the
shipyards In Sutherlandtown.
In Deacon Bralnord's cottjgo ithe dlscus-
lon was concerning Agnthn's lark of vanity ,
n vlrtuo not very common nt ifhat tlmo
uinom-tho women of this busy seaport.
'Tor a woman so handsome , " the good
deacon waa saying ( and I think I can
safely call her the finest featured woman
who o\er trod thcso streets ) she showed as
IHtlo Interest In dre&a as any ono I ever
know. Calico at liomo and calico at church ,
jot bliu looked as much of a lady In her
dark-sprigged gowns as Mrs Websttr In her
Bilks or Mrs Parsons In her thousand-
dollar Bcalaldln. "
As this was n. topic within the scope of
his oldest daughter's Intelligence flio at once
Bpoko up : " 1 no\er thought she needed to
flress so plainly. I don't believe lei such a show
of poverty mjself. If ono Is too poor to go
decent , all right , but they say she had more
monpy than most any one In town. I won
der who Is going to got the benefit of U' "
"Why , Philemon , of course , that Is , as
long as ho lives. Ho doubtless had the mak
ing of It. "
"Is H trno Hut he's gone clean out of his
licnd since her death ? " Interposed a neighbor
i\ho had happened In.
"So they say I bellevo Widow Jones has
Itaken him Into her ( house "
"Do you think , " asked .1 second daughter
with becoming hesitation , "that ho had anj-
lhln > ? to do with her death ? Some of the
neighbors say ho struck her while In. one
of his crazy ills , while others declare she was
killed by some stranger , equally old and
nlmost BB Inflrni "
"Wo won't discuss ( the subjtct , " obi -
i ctcd the deacon. "Time will show who
robbed us of the greatest-hearted and most
capable woman In these parts. "
"And will tlmo show who killed Daisy ? "
It was a morsel of a girl who spoke ; the
least one of the famllj , but the brightest.
"I'm sorry for natsy ; she alwajs gave mo
cookies when I went to see Mrs. Webb"
"Datsy was n good girl for a Swede , "
nllowcd the deacon's wife , who had not
ppokon till now. When she first came Into
town on the spars of that wrecked ship we
nil remember , there was some struggle be
tween Agatha and mo as to which of us
should have her. But It didn't like the task
of teaching her the name ot every pot nnd
gian she had to use In the kitchen , so I gave
her up to Agatha ; nnd It was fortunate I
did , for I've never been able to understand
her talk to this day. "
"I could talk with , her right well , " lisped
Iho little ono. ' 'Sho never called things by
their Swedish names unless she was worried ;
lind I never woirled her"
"I wonder If she would have worshipped
the ground under your feet , as she did that
under Agatha ? " asked the deacon , ejoinghla
wife with Just the suspicion of a malicious
iwinklo In his eye
"I nm not the greatest-hearted and moat
fcapablo woman In town , " retorted his wife ,
clicking her needles as she went on knitting.
In Mr. Spraguo's house on the opposite
sldo of the road Squire Klsher was relating
omo old tales of bjgono Portchestor days.
"I know Agatha when she was n girl , " he
nvoned. "Sho had the grandest manners
nnd the most enchanting smile of any richer
or poor man's daughter between the coast
nnd Springfield. She did not dress In calico
then. She wore the gayest clothes her
father could buy her , and old Jacob was not
without means to make his daughter the
leading figure In town. How wo young
fellows did ndoro her , and to what lengths wo
wont to win ono of her glorious smiles.
Two of us , John and Jacob Zabcl , have lived
"bachelors " for her bake to this very day , but
1 hadn't courage enough for that ; I mar
ried nnd " Something between a elgh and
a chuckle filled out the sentence ,
"What made Philemon carry off the
prUo ? Ills good looks1' "
"Yos , or his good luck. It wasn't his
snap ; of that you may bo suro. James Zabel
had the snap , and ho was her first cbolco ,
too , but ho got Into some dillloulty I never
Know Just what It was , but It was regarded
ns serious at the time and that match was
broken off. Afterward Bho mauled Phile
mon. You gee , I WRS out of It altogether ;
lind never been In It , perhaps , hut there were
three goods ycnra of my life In which I
thought of little else than Acatlia. I ad-
"IiunVrt'ri tliwturlurokortlio duiiined
with jirolruilliu plica brought on by constipa
tion with whluh I tvus umtcted ( or twenty
years I ran across jour CASCAHUTS In the
toitn of Nairell , la , and ncer found nnj thing
to equal them To-day I am entirely free from
piles and ftul like u now man "
a H , KEUZ , Ult Jonci fat , Sioux City , la.
I'JcsMiDt. I'alatabln. Potont. Taste Good. IK )
Goo J. Novur tloleu. Weaken , or Gripe , lOa , Mo , We
. . . CURE CONSTIPATION. . . .
Btirliii llm.J ; l f ji | Q.lc | . llc.lf.il. N > V r . 311
Hfl.Tn.ttfln 5olilan < J imnv ntBod by alldruf
. .
NU I UUMu glsu w litJUKTobacco ! ilablt.
mlrcd her spirit , you see. There was some
thing more taking In her ways than In her
beauty , wonderful as that was. She ruled
us with a rod of Iron nnd yet wo worshipped
her. 1 have wondered to sue her do meek of
late. I never thought she would bo satisfied
with n brick-floored cottage nnd a husband
of falling wits But no ono , to my knowl
edge , has cvar heard n complaint from her
lips , and the dignity of her aflllctcd wifehood -
hood has far transcended the haughtiness
ot those days when she had but to smile to
have all the \outh of Portchestor at her
feet. "
"I suppose It was the IOBS of so many
children thnt reconciled her to a qulot life.
A woman cannot close the eyes of six chil
dren , ono after the other , without sotno
modification taking place In her character. "
"Yes , sha and Philemon have bean un
fortunate ; but she was a splendid-looking
girl , boys. I never see such grand-looking
women now. "
In a little one-storied cottage on the hill-
Ride a woman was nursing n baby nnd talk
ing at the same time of Agatha Wobb.
" 1 shall never forget the night my first
baby fell sick , " she faltered. "I was Just
out of bed myself , and having no nearer
neighbors then than now I was all alone
on the hillside , Alec being away at sea
I was too young to know much about sick
ness , but something told mo that I must
have help before morning or my baby
would die. Though I could Just walk across
the floor , I throw n shawl around mo , took
my baby in my arms nnd opened the door.
A blinding gust of rain blow In. A terrible
storm was raging and I had not noticed It.
I was so taken up with the child.
"I could not face that gale Indeed , was
BO weak I fell on no knees as It struck me
and became dripping wet before I could drag
myself inside. The baby began to moan
and even thing was turning dark before me ,
when I heard a strong , sweet voice cry out
In the roadway.
" 'Is there room In this house for me till
the atoim has blo'wn ' by ? I cannot see my
way down the hillside. '
"With a bursting heart I looked up. A
woman was standing in the doorway , with
the look of an angel In her eyes. I did not
know her , but her face was one to brine
comfort to the saddest heart. Holding up
my baby , I cried
" 'My baby Is dying , I tried to go for the
doctor , but my knees bent under me. Help
mo , us you arc a another I '
"I must have fallen again , for the next
thing I remember I waa Ijlng by the hearth ,
looking up Into her face whloh was bonding
over me. She was white as the rag I had
tied about my baby's throat , and by the
way her breast heaved she was either very
much frightened or very soiry.
" 'I wish you had the help of any one else , '
said she. 'Dables perish in my arms and
wither at my breast. I cannot touch It ,
much as I yearn to. But let me see its
face ; perhaps I can tell you what Is tha
matter with It. '
"I showed her the baby's face , and she
bent over it , trembling very much , almost
as much , Indeed , as myself.
" 'It Is very slok , ' she said , 'but If you
will use the remedies I advise I think you
can save It. ' and she told me what to do and
helped mo nil she could , but she did not lay
a finger on the llttlo darling , though from
the way ahe watched It I saw that iher heart
was sot on his getting better. And hs did ;
'In ' an hour he was sleeping peacefully , and
the terrible weight was gone from my
heart and from hers. When the storm
fcitoppod and she could leave the houeo Bho
gave me a kiss , but the look she gave him
meant more than kisses. Qed must have
forgotten her goodness to me that night
when ho lot her die so pitiable a death. "
Ait the minister's house tliey were com
menting upon flic look of serenity observable
in her dead face.
"I have known her for thirty years , " her
pastor declared , "and never before have I
seen her wear a look of real peace. It Is
wonderful , considering the circumstances.
Do you think eho was so weary of her life's
long struggle that she hailed any release
from It , even that of violence ? "
A joung ranq , a lawyer visiting them from
Now York , -was the only ono to answer.
"I never saw the woman you are talking
about , " said ho , "and know nothing of the
circumstances of her death beyond what you
havo'told ' me. But from the very Incongruity
between her expression and the violent
nature of her death , I nrguo that thcie are
depths to this crlmo which have not yet
been sounded. "
"What depths ? It Is a ulmplo case ot
murder , followed by ifheft. To be sure wo
do not yet know the criminal , but money waa
the motive ; that Is clear enough. "
"Aro you ready to wager that that Is all
litcro Is to It ? "
This was a otartllng proposition to the
minister.
"You forget my cloth , " said he.
Thn young man smiled. "That Is true
Pardon mo. I was only anxJous to chow
1iow strong my conviction was against any
suoh easy explanation of a crlmo marked by
such contradlctorj' features. "
Two children on the Portchester road were
ojichanglng boyish confidences.
"Do you know what I think about it ? "
asked one.
"Naw ! How should I ? "
"Wall , I think old Mrs. Webb got the
likes of what Bho bent Don't you know
she had six children onca , and that she
killed every ono of them ? "
"Killed 'em , aho ? "
"Yes , I heard her tell granny once nil
about it. She said there was a blight on
her house. I don't know what that is ; but
I guess it's something big and heavy , and
that It fell on every ono of her children aa
fast as they came , nnd killed "em. "
"Then I'm gind I bcn't her child. "
Very different were the recollections Inter
changed between two inlddlo-nged Port-
Chester women.
"Sho was drinking tea nt my housa when
her sister Sairey carao running In with the
nowa that the baby she had left at homo
wasn't quite right. That was her first
child , ) ou know ,
"Yes , jes , for I was with her when that
baby carao , " broke In the other , and such
joy as she showed when they told her it
was alive nnd well I never Haw. I do not
know why she didn't expect It to bo alive ,
but she didn't , and her happiness was Just
wonderful to see. "
"Well , she didn't ' enjoy It long. The poor
little fellow died joung. But I was telling
you of the night when she first heard ho
was ailing. Philemon had been telling a
good utory , and we were all laughing , when
Sairey came In. I can see Agatha now.
She olw.ijs had the most brilliant ejes In
the country , but that day they Tore superbly
dazzling. They changed , though , at the
Bight of Snlroy's face , and she Jumped to
meet her Just as If she knew what Sairey
was going to say before ever a word loft
her lips. 'Mj baby1 ! ( I can her her yet. )
'Something is the matter with the baby1 !
And though Sairey trade hast to tell her
that he was only nlllng and not at nil ill ,
she turned upon Philemon with a look none
of us o\or quite understood , hp changed so
completely under It , jubt us she had undtjr
Balroj's , nnd to neither did the old happiness
ever return , for the child died withlii a
week , nnd when the next cnmo 11 dlod
nnd the next till six Btnnll Innocents Iny
burled In yonder old graveyard. "
11 know , and sml enough Jt was , too , OR-
poMftlly as he nnd Philemon were both fond
of children. Well , well , the wnys of Provl-
donco fir past finding out ! And now she is
gone , and Philemon "
"And he'll follow her soon ; bo can't llvo
without Agatha. "
Nearer homo the old eexiton wan chattering
about the six gravestones raised In Port-
r-hestor churchyard to thiso six dead Infants.
Ho had been sent there to ohooso a spot In
which to lay the mother , nud was full of the
shock it gave him to eeo that line of llttlo
stones telling of a p ct with which the
good people of Sutherlnmltown found It hard
to associate Philemon nnd Agatha Webb
"I'm u digger of graves , " he mused , half
to himself and halt to his old wlfo watching
him from the other side of the hearthstone
"I spend a good quarter of my tlmo In the
churchyard , but when I saw those six llttlo
mounds , end read the Inscriptions over them ,
I couldn't help feeling queer. Think of
this' On the first tiny headstone/ read
thcso wouls
STHPHKN ,
Son of Philemon and Agatha Webb ,
Died , Aged Six WMks ,
God be merciful to me , a slnnerl
"Now , what does that mean ? Did you
over hear any one ay ? "
"No , " was his old wlfa's answer. "Perhaps
she waa ono of thoae Oalvlnlst folks who
bellcvo bablea go to hell if they are not
baptised " ,
"But her children wore all baptized. I've
boon told so , some of them before she was
well out of her bed. 'Ood be merciful to me.
a sinner1' And the chick mot six weeks old'
Something queer about that dame , Jf It did
happen more thnn thirty years ago "
"Wihat did you see over the grave of the
child who was killed by lightning In hur
arms' "
"This.
" 'And ho was not , for Qed took him. ' "
Farmer White had but ono word to eay.
"She came to mowhen my Sissy had the
smallpox , the only person In town who
would enter my doors. More than that ;
when Sissy was up and I went to pay the
doctor's bill 1 found It had been settled I
did not know then who had enough money
and compassion to do this for mo ; now I do. "
Many an act of kindness which had been
secretly performed In that town during the
last twenty jears came to light on that day ,
the most notable of whloh was the sending
of a certain young lad to school and his
subsequent education as a minister.
But other memories of a sweeter and more
secret nature still came up likewise , among
them the following
A young girl , who was of a very timid
but deeply sensitive nature , had boon urged
Into an engagement with a man she did not
like. Though the confllot this occasioned
her and the misery which accompanied It
were apparent to everybody , nobody stlrrud
In her behalf till Agatha Webb took It up.
She went to sec her , and though It was
within a fortnight of the wedding , she did
not hesitate to advise the girl to gtvo
him up , nnd when the poor child said she
lacked the courage , Agatha herself wont to
the man and urged him into a display of
generosity which saved the poor , timid thing
from a life of misery. They say this waa no
easy task for Agatha , and the man was
sullen for a year. But the girl's gratitude
was boundless.
Of her daring , which -was always on the
aide of right and Justice , the stories wore
numerous ; so were the accounts , mostly
among the women , of her rare tenderness
and sympathy tor the weak and the erring.
Never was a man talked to as she talked to
Jake Cobleigh the evenlns after he atruck
his mother , and if she had been In town on
the day when Clarissa May haw ran away
with that Philadelphia rasonl many said It
would never have happened , for no girl
could stand the admonition , or resist the
pleading , of this childless mother.
It was reserved for Mr. Halliday and Mr.
Sutherland to talk of her mental qualities.
Her character was so marked and her man
ners so simple that few gave attention to
the Intellect that was the real basis of her
power. The two mentioned gentlemen , however -
over , appreciated her to the full and it was
while listening to their remarks that Fred
erick was suddenly startled by some one
saying to him-
"You are the only person In town who has
nothing to say about Agatha Webb Didn't
you over exchange any words with her , for
I can hardly believe you could have met her
eye to eye without having some remark to
make about her beauty or her Influence ? "
The speaker was Agnes Halliday , who had
como in with her father for a social chat.
She was ono of Frederick's earliest play
mates , but one with whom he had never
assimilated and who did not like him. Ho
know this , as did every ono else In town , and
It was with uome hesitation he turned to
answer her
"I have but one recollection , " ho began ,
and for the moment got no further , for In
turning his head to address his young guest
ho had allowed his gane to wander through
the open window by which she sat into the
garden beyond , whore Amabel could bo seen
picking flowers. As he spoke Amabel lifted
her face with one of her suggestive looks.
She had doubtless heard Miss Halllday'B re
mark.
Recovering himself with an effort , he re
peated his words. "I have but ono recollec
tion of Mrs Webb that I can glvo you.
Years ago < when I was a lad I was playing
on the green with several other boys. Wo
had had some dispute about a lost ball and
I was swearing angrily and loud when I
suddenly perceived before me the tall form
and compassionate face of Mrs. Webb. She
was dressed in her usual simple way and
had a basket on her arm , but she looked so
superior to any other woman I had over met
that I did not know whether to hldo my
face In her skirts or to follow my first Im
pulse nnd run away. She saw the emotion
Bho had aiouscd , and , lifting up my face by
the chin , she said : 'Little boy , I have
burled six children , all of them younger
than you , and now my husband and myself
llvo alono. Often nnd often have I wished
that ono at least oT these darling infants
might have boon Bpared us. But had God
given mo the tholoe of having them die
young and innocent or of growing up to
swear as I have heard you today I should
have prayed Oed to take them , as ho did.
You have a mother. Do not break her
heart by taking the nan. of the God she
reveres in vain. ' And with that she kissed
me , nnd , stiange as It may seem to jou , In
whatever folly or wickedness I have in
dulged , I have never made use of an oath
from that day to this and I thank God
for it. "
There was such unusual fooling In his
voice , a feellnc that none had over sus
pected him capable of before , that Miss
Halliday regarded him i\lth astonishment
md quite forgot to indulge In her usual
janter. Even the gentlemen sat etlll , nnd
there was a momentary slltmce , through
which there presently broke the Incongruous
sound of a shrill and mocking laugh
It came from Amabel , who had Just finished
gathering her boquot in the garden out-
Bide. /
CIIAl'TEll X.
Meanwhile , in a small room of the court
muse , a still more aorious convocation waa
n progress Dr , Tulbot , Mr Fenton and a
certain able lawyer In town by the name of
Inrvey were in close discussion. The latter
iad broken the sllcnco of yeais , and was
elllus what he knew of Mrs. Webb'u affairs.
He WUB a ehruwd man of unblemished
reputation When cnlled upon to tilk ho
tnlked well , but he much preferred listening ,
nml was , as now appeared , the safest re
pository of secrets to bo found In all that
region. He had been married three times ,
nnd could still count thlrtecm children
around his board , onn reason , perhaps , why
he had learned to cultivate sllcnco to such
a degree. Happily , the tlmo had come for
him to tnlk , nnd ho tnlked. This Is whnt
he said.
"Some fifteen years ago Philemon Webb
came to mo with n small sum of money
.which ho said he wished to have mo Invest
for his wife. H v\as the fruit ot n small
speculation of his nnd ho wanted It given
unconditionally to her without her knowl
edge or thnt of the neighbors. I accord
ingly mndo out a deed of gift , which ho
signed with Joyful alacrity , nnd then after
Ouo thought and careful Investigation I put
the money Into n now enterprise then being
started in Boston. It was the best stroke of
business I over did In my life At the end
of a year It paid double nnd after five had
rolled away the accumulated Interest had
reached such a sum that both Philemon nnd
mjsclf thought It wisest to let her know
what she was worth and what was being
done with the money. I was In hopes It
would lead her to make some chnngo In
her mode of living , which seemed to mo out
of keeping with her appearance nnd mcntnl
quulincntlons , while he , I Imagine , looked
for something more Important still , n smllo
on the face which hnd nomehow lost the
trick of merriment , though It hnd never
acquired that ot ill-nnture. But -no did
not know Agatha ; at least I did not. When
she learned thnt she wan rich she looked nt
first Jiwe-Btruok nnd then hcnrt-plcrced
Forgetting me or Ignoring me , It makes no
matter which , she threw herself Into Phile
mon's arms nnd wept , while he , poor faith
ful follow , looked ns distressed as If ho had
brought news ot failure Instead of triumph
ant success. I suppose she thought of her
burled children nnd what the money would
have been to her If they hnd lived , but she
did not speak of them , nor nm I quite sure
they were In her thoughts when , after the
first excitement was over , she drew back
and said quietly , but In a tone of stioug
feeling to Philemon'You meant mo a
happy surprise , and It ilioU bo so , Philemon.
This Is heart money , wo will Ube it to make
our townefolk happy ' I saw him glance at
her dress , which was a purple calico , I re
member It because of that look and because
of the sad smile with which she followed
his glance 'Can we not afford now , ' he
ventured , 'a little show of luxury or at least
a ribbon or so for this beautiful throat of
yours ? ' She did not answer him , but -her
look had a rare compassion In It , a. com
passion , strange to eay , that seemed to be
expended upon him rather than upon her
self. Philemon swallowed his disappoint
ment. 'Agatha Is right , ' he said to me. 'Wo
do not need luxury. I do not know how
I so for forgot myself as to mention It. '
That -mas ten years ago and every day since
then her property has increased. I did not
know then , and I do not know now , why
they were both so anxious that nil knowl
edge of their good fortune Hhould be kept
from those about them , but that it was to be
so kept was made very evident to me , and ,
notwithstanding nil temptations to the con-
tiary , I have refrained from uttering a word
likely to give awny their secret. The money ,
whloh. to all appearance was the cause of
her tragic and untimely death , was iuteiest
money which I was delegated to deliver her.
I took It to her day 'before ' yesterday and
It was all in crisp new notes , some of them
20 shillings , but most of them 10 and 5
shillings. I am free to say there was not
such another roll of fresh money in town. "
"Warn all shopkeepers to keep a lookout
of the money they receive , " was Dr. Talbot's
comment to the constable. "Fresh $10 and
$20 bills are not any too common In this
town. And now about her will. Did jou
draw that up , Harvey ? "
"No. I did not know she had made one.
I often spoke to her about the advisability
of her doing so , tmt she always put mo off.
And now it seems that she had It drawn up
in Boston. Could not trust her old friend
with too many secrets , I suppose. "
"So you don't know how her money has
been left ? "
"No more than you lo. "
Here an interruption occurred. The door
opened and a slim young man , wearing
spectacles , came In. At sight of him they
all rose.
"Well ? " eagerly Inquired Dr. Talbot.
"Nothing new , " answered the joung man ,
with a consequential air. "The elder woman
died from loss ot blood consequent upon a
blow given * by a email , three-sided , slender
blade ; the younger from a stroke of apoplexy
plexy , induced toy fright. "
"Good ! I am glad to hear my Instincts
were not at fault. Loss of blood , eh ?
Death , then , was not inbtantaneous ? "
"No. "
"Strange ! " fell from the lips of his two
listeners. She lived , jet gave no alarm. "
"None that was heard , " suggested the
young doctor , who was fiom another town.
"Or , if hoard , reached no ears but
Philemon's , " observed the constable. "Some
thing must have taken him upstairs. "
"I am not so sure , " said the coroner ,
"that Philemon is not answerable for the
whole nlme , notwithstanding our falluio
to find the missing money nnywhero In the
house. How else account for the resigna
tion with which she evidently met her
death. Had a stranger struck her , Agatha
Webb would have stuiggled. There Is no
sign of struggle In the room. "
She would have struggled against Phile
mon had she had strength to struggle. I
think she was asleep when she was struck "
"Ah ! and was not standing by the table.
How about the blood there , then. "
"Shook fiom the murderer's fingers In
fright or disgust. "
"Theio was no blood on Philemon's fingers.
No , ho wiped them on his sleeve , "
"If ho was the ono to use the dagger
against her , w'hcro IB the dagger ? Should
wo not bo able to find it somewhere about
the promises' "
"Ho may have burled It outside. Crazy
men are supornatuially cunning. "
"When you can produce it from any place
inside that board fence , 1 will consider your
theory. At present I limit my suspicions of
Philemon to the half-unconscious attentions
which a man of disordered Intellect might
give n wlfo bleeding nnd dying under Ills
oyea. My Idea on the subject Is "
"Would jou bo so kind as not to glvo
utterance to jour Ideas until I have been
able to form tome for mjself , " Interrupted
a voice from the doorway.
As this voice was unexpected they all
turned. A small man with sleek dark hair
and expressionless features stood before
them Behind him was Abel , carrying a
hand-bag and umbrella.
"Tho detectlvo from Boston , " announced
th.o latter. Coroner Talbot arose ,
"You are In Rood itlme , " he remarked.
"Wo have work of no ordinary nature for
you. "
The mnn failed to look Interested. But
then his countenance was not one to fchow
cmotlcn ,
"My name la Knapp , " said ho. "I have
had my supper , and am ready to go to
work. I have read the newspapers , all I
want now are any additional facts that have
rome to light slnco the telegraphic dispatches
were sent to Boston. Facts , mind you , not
thtorlfs. I never allow mjself to be hamp
ered by other persona' theories , "
Not liking his manner , which was brusque
and too eelf-Important for a man of such
Insignificant appearance , Coroner Talbot re
ferred him to Mr. P nton , who Immedi
ately proceeded to give htm the result of
such Investigations as he and hla men had
been able to make , which done , Mr. Knapp
put on his hat and turned toward the door.
"I will go to the house and see for rayrolf
ivhutjthoro Is to see there , " said he. "May
I ask the iwlrilogo of going ol u 7" ho
added , ns Mr Fenton moved "Abol , hero ,
will BOO that I nm given ndmtttanco. "
"Show mo jour credentials , " Mid the
coroner Ho did so "They seem nil right ,
nnd jou should bo n man who understands
his business do alone. If jou prefer , but
bring jour conclusions IICTO. They may need
eomo correcting "
"Oh , I will return , " Knnpp nonchalantly
remarked , nnd wont out , having made nin
thing but n favorable Impression upon the
nEsmblod gentlemen.
"I wish we hnd shown more grit nnd tried
to hnndlo Hi'ls thing ourselves , " observed
Mr 1'cnton "I cannot bear to think of that
cold , bloodU < 9s crenturo hovering over our
beloved Agntlin. "
"I wonder at Carscn. Why should he
send ns such a man' Could he not reo the
inatlei demanded extraordinary eklll nnd
Judgment ? "
"O , this fellow may hnvo skill. But he
Is so unpleasant I hnto to deal with folks
of such fish-like characteristics. But who
Is this1" ho asked , as a. gentle tap was hcaul
on the door. "Why , it's Loton. Whnt can
ho want hero1" "
The man whoso presence In the doorway
hnd called out this exclamation started nt
the sound of the doctors heavy voice nind
como very hesitatingly forward , llo v\ns of
a weak , liritablo tjpe , and soemcd to bo In a
state of great excitement.
"I beg paidon , ' said he. "for showing
myself. I don't like to Intrude Into such
company , but I have something to tell jou
which may bo of use , sits , though it Isn't
nu > great thing , either. "
"Something about the murder which has
taken plnco ? " asked the coroner , In a milder
tone Ho knew Loton well , and realized the
advisability of encouragement in his caeo.
"Tho murder ! 0 , I wouldn't presume to
say anything about the murder. I'm not
the man to stir up nnj such subject as thnt.
It's about the monej or some money more
moncj than usually falls Into no till. H It
was rather oucer , sirs , and I dnve felt the
flutter ot It all day. Shall I tell jou about
it ? It happened last night , late last night ,
sirs , so late that I was In bed with my wife ,
and had been snoring , she said , four hours "
"What money ? New money1' Crisp , fresh
bills , Loton ? " eagerly questioned Mr Fenton.
Loton , who was the keeper of a small
confectionery and bakery store on ono of
the sldo streets leading up the hill , shifted
uneasily between his two Interrogators , and
finally addressed himself to the coroner :
"It was now money. I thought It felt sent
nt night , but I was sine of it in the morning.
A brand new bill , sir , n But that Isn't
the queerest part I was asleep , -sir , sound
asleep , and dreaming of my courting dajs ;
for 1 asked Sally at the circus , sirs , nnd
the band playing on the hill made me think
of it , when I was suddenly shook nvvako
by Sally herself , who says she hadn't slept
a wink for listening to the music and wlshln *
she v\as a girl agin 'There's n man at the
shop door , ' cries she. 'He's a callln' ot you
to go and see what he wants ' I was mad at
being wakened Uieamln * is pleasant , spe
cially when clowns and klssln' get mixed
up In it , but duty Is duty , and so into the
biiop 1 stumble. ! , swearing a.bit perhaps ,
for I hadn't stopped for a light and it was
as dark as double shutters could make it.
The hammering had become deafening. No
lot up till I reached the door , when It sud
denly ceased.
" 'What is If' I cried. 'Who's there and
what do jouwant ? '
"A trembling voice answered me. 'Let
me in , ' it said , 'I want to Buy something to
eat. For God's sake , open the door. '
"I don't know why I obeyed , for it was
late , and I did not know the voice , but
something in the Impatient rattling of the
door which accompanied the words affected
mo in spite of myself , nnd 1 slowly opened
iny shop to this mldnlgHt customer.
" 'You must bo hungrjV I began. But
the peison who had crowded in as soon as
the opening was largo enough wouldn't let
mo finish.
" 'Bread ! I wait ; bread , or crackers , or
anj thing that you can find easiest , ho
gasped , like a man who had been running.
'Hero's money , ' and he poked Into my hand
a bill so stilt It rattled. 'It's more than
enough , ' ho hastened to say , as I hesitated
over It , 'but never mind that ; I'll come for
the change In the morning. '
" 'Who are jou ? ' I cried. 'You're not
Blind Willy , I'm sure. '
"But his only answer was 'Bread ! ' while
he leaned so hard against the counter I felt
It shake.
"I could not stand that cry of 'Breadl' so
I gropcJ about in the dark and found him a
stale loaf , which I put Into his arms , with
a short 'There , now tell me what your name
is. '
"But at this he seemed to shrink into
himself , nnd muttering : something that
might pass for thanks he stumbled toward
the door and rushed hastily out. Running
after him I listened eagerly to his steps.
They went up the hill. "
"And the money ? What about the
money1' " asked the coroner. "Didn't he
come back for the change ? "
"No. I iput it in the till , thinking it a
dollar bill. But when I came to look at It
In the morning it was a twenty ; yes , sirs ,
a twenty' ' "
This was startling. The coroner and the
constable looked nt each other before lookIng -
Ing again at him.
"And where Is that 1)111 now ? " asked
the former. "Have you brought It with
you' "
"I have , sir. It's been In nnd out of
the till twenty times today. I haven't known
what to do with It. I don't like to think
wrong of anybody , but A\hen I heard that
Mrs Webb ( God bless her ) was murdered
last night for money , I couldn't rest for the
weight of this thing on my conscience.
Here's the bill , sir. I wish I had let the old
man rap on my door till morning before I
had taken It from him "
They did not shnio this feeling. A distinct
and valuable clew seemed to be afforded
them by the fresh crisp bill they saw in his
hand. Silently Dr. Talbot took It , while
Mr. Tcnton , with a shrewd look , asked :
"What reasons have you for calling this
mysterious customer old ? I thought It was
so dark you could not sco him. "
The man , who looked relieved since ho had
rid himself of the bill , eyed the constable
in some perplexity ,
"I didn't see a feature ot his face , " said
he , "and yet I'm sure ho was old. I never
thought of him as being anything else. "
Who are Willing to
Pay When
Convinced of Cure.
A scientific combined medical and
mechanical cure hoacn \ dlscov *
end for " Weakness of Men. " The
proprietors announce that they will
Ecnd It on trial remedies and appli
ance without * dv nc payment
to any honeit man Hi not all that
la claimed all sou wish-send It
bock thatcndtit- pay nothing I
This combined treatment cures
quickly , thoroughly , and forever all
cflect * of early evil imblts , later ex.
ctJfs , overwork , worry , etc. It cre
ates health , strength , Titallty. sus
taining lowew , and restores weak
and undeveloped portions of body to
natural dimensions and ( unctions
Any mau writing In earnest will
receive description and references
In plain sealed envelope rrofes-
sioual tonHdence No ( JO. 1 > . de-
Wptlon nor Imposition of any nature A. ua-
vjoual reputation bocis this offer. Addres *
Erie Hedlcal GoBuffaMY ,
"Well , wo will sco. And In thnt Ml you
Imvo to toll UBr >
Ills nod vvns oTprciilvo ; nnd they let him
BOAn hour or BO Inter Detective Knnpp mndo
his reappearance ,
" \\V11 , " naked the coroner ns ho entno
quietly In nnd closed the door bohlnd him.
" ' ' "
"What's your opinion'
"Simple case , sir. Murdered for money.
Kind the mnn with n flowing benrd. "
( To Uo Continued )
SOMU 1 , VTIJ I.\V13VPIO. > .
All lmpro\ed rnror lin * n removable Mndo
\\hleh can be tnkcn out for sterHI/lng. the
bnclt ImvliiK a grooved chnnnel Into which
the blnde slides , with n spiliifi catch enter-
In ! ; a depicBslon In the shank to lock 11 In
place.
An Illinois ln\entor has patented n broom
handle with n splicing arrangement near the
henil consisting of a metallic lund sur
rounding the Interlocking ends of the mem
bers , with n bolt extending through the
Joint to fasten It securely.
The Imndlo of a new po'ckct kntfo is In
two parts , Joined by the rivet on which the
blnde turns , making It po slbli' to open the
knife b > swinging one side nf the handle on
the pivot to push the blade out nnd then re
turning the hnndlo to Its place
Signal lanterns for use on railroads mo to
be made with a plain glass lens , with n rack
at the rear of the lens for the Insertion of n
colored glass pinto for Hashing Jt signal , with
n < pockct In the back of the lantern to carry
a number of plates of different colors.
Kggs can bo rnpldlj beaten by n now
utensil formed of a screw-threaded central
shaft , linvlnc blades nl the bottom with n
handle flllltiK over the top of the shnft to
revolve the intter us it Is pushed down , n
splrnl uprlnK letuinliiR It after onch stiok.
I Tor the protection of banks and tithir
I building * from snfo-breakers fin clectrlinl
I Alnrin mn11liift hn been patented , ImMng
'hollow ' cells with two contnct plates inside ,
which ( spring together when stopped ind
gl\e an nlnrm
Itunlldfl will appreciate an Imjirovoil bed
deslgiud for their comfort , thn head en 1
being hinged to the sldo rails nnd fitted with
n lifting device , which raises the patient nt
any desired tingle , at the swine tlmo placing
tin adjustable table In position for uso.
Milk and other liquids nro nntotn.itloally
measured by n now can , Imv Ing n tiibo n )
Inched to one side with openings connecting
with the can , n float being plated In the
tube , suppotted by n sprocket chain running
o\er n toothed wheel to Uirn'n pointer on n
ginduntcd dial
An llnglhhmnn has designed n brush for
cleaning bleyelo chains , which will engage
nil parts of u link at the same time , n con
leal brush being placed In the center , with
parallel brushes on either side , which clean
the outstrip portions of the link while the
continl brush Is working Inside.
Drivers will appreciate an Improved roln-
holder , consisting of a vertical post clamped
on the dashboard , wllh n T head nt the top
from which depend spiral springs hixvlim
clamps at thelt fieo ends lo engage the reins
at nnv desired tension and relieve n portion
of the strain frrni the clilvei's hands
riremen nro protected fiom getting burned
bv a new host ) norzte which has n mnnll
tube attached to the Innot wall of the
no7zln , wllh the- tear end open to receive a
small portion of the stuam , which flows
through the wall of the nozlo and untors n
port , to bo directed on the fireman.
It charms with its flavor , delights
with its taste and conquers with
its purity and high quality.
\kL.BLATZ BREWING Co.
MILWAUKEE , U.S.A.
For Sale by Folcy Bros. , Wholesale
Dealers , 1412 Douglas Street , Omaha ,
Neb. Tel. 1081
ansi Msaio'
The brilliant complexions of women in the more exclusive circles of New
York society ar xiot explained by the theory thnt associates beauty nnd idle
ness. In fftct , ninny leaders of the world ot fashion are hard workers. Yet
they keep their good looks even when they are old. How do they manage
it ? THE MISSES BELL , of 78 Fifth Avenue , New York , themselves con-
nectcd with some of the most noted and honored families in the metropolis ,
have answered the question. They have prepared for the tiso of women In
l , fiyo preparatlans for improving the complexion and the hnir.
O
% * * -WNV >
The atla * B BELL'S >
COMPLEXION TONIO \ The atlsaea BELL'S
it an external application , the pretence ) COMPLEXION SOAP
\\htdh ( ofl the I co cannot bo detected ,
i H IB perfectly hinalesj even to the most , is made from the pure oil ol lambs' '
1 dallcats skin It Is a ture and quick vyool. It is healing and craltfj Ing to the1 ,
1 ( jure for all rqughnct * and eruptions , skin , keeping it at all times In a clean1 ,
It Sole aii the sUn is a tonic , producing nnd he-ilthy state This Soup la daintily1 ,
janaturulljr pure complexion. Cosmetics scented , and is n most welcome aid to' ' ,
( merely hide blemishes Tlio Tonic gets the toilet of fastidious women The ut
{ rldntthttn most care is taken in selecting materials' '
It removes pimplei , freckles , blackhead - and scrupulous cleanliness in the labor-1 ,
head * , moth patches , llverspote , eczema , atnry insures the purity of the product.
leSncsi , olllatts nod til discoloration- ; I'rice , 25 coats per cake , largo four-ounce
find Imperfections of the ikla. Price , $1 ( size.
o bottle.
- www w-WWV %
BELL'S 5 The aliases BELL'S
, GAPILLA-RENQVA
HAIR TONIO ' !
ifor restoring prwuturely gray locks to
cures dandrud aud prevents any return c thi'lr original color
Of It ; stops that maddening itching of It Is not a dj e nor a stain. It Is a color
tli scnlp and makes the hair strong , less liquid thnt is applied to the roots of ,
fait rtnd lustrous It ii especially help the hiur and lea\ei no telltale signs on ,
ful to persons whose hnlr It , thin , dry nnd , > i the srulp or forehead >
llablo to fall out The tonic cleanses Noitlmr does It change the color of the
the ekln about the roots of the h ill w 111 hair all at onctOnly d > cs do that1 !
soon cover bald spoil with a handsome,1 and the ) v\ash oil Hut Cupllla Renova,1 ,
growth Trice , $1 u bottlr- will notwash ofr Trice , 81.60 per bottle )
The Hisses DELL'S SfffBM FOOD
Is fi soft , creamy , exquisitely perfumed ointment , v\hlch help ? the action of the Tonle
and , In mild cases of roughness , redness , pimples , etc , U n euic In Itself It clean , the
pores of the skin of all Impurities and feeds it , by building up the texture and makinn
the flesh beneath it solid mid llrin , Trice , 75 cents per Jar.
A trial bottle of the HISSES HELL'S COrtPLUXION TONIC
.at our parlors In Now York Citj , or moiled to any nddrcM
lu plain package upon raccipt o ( eieht rents In stamps or silver !
to cov et the cufual ciitl ojpotlaie Conespomleiiee cordially nolle.
itcd. Addrcsfc The Misses Bell , 78 I'lfth Ave. , Now York City.
' Sendforour nctobool. " lcrcls r J > fleauty " l\ie ta any atidrett.
WE HAVE THE MISSES HELLS' TOILET PREPARATIONS ON SALB
AT OUR STORE.
KUHN & CO , , The RELIABLE PRESCRIPTION PHARMACISTS ,
Sole Agents , 15th nnd Douulus Streets.
Of Unopproaclied Value for the Home , Class-room , Office , or Study.
Journal < > fjlur < ttlnt > , Jioston : "This l n. treasuru , No nnocnn contclvo the wealth
of Information , Iho convenience for rc-fen-nce , tlm elimination of uon twrntlnlii which
make this book worth much morn than thu prlcu to any Btudint , U-achei , or writer. "
New from covcrto cover with numerous exclusive features , besides hcinj ? the mostnmulo
comprehensive , accurate , itnil authoritative ncmlunio dictionary in cxistoutu Jt Is the
work throughout of Hptcinliit ! < i , the aim JmuiiKlxon to produce n modern nnd i-onvenltnl
handbook ol dictionary information coveringullikpiirtinnntfl of liiiinnn knowledge Its
vocabulary nnd appendix'f ( > utun > s have never been approached by nny fcimilur wort
lyp ° i papur , and binding arc of the highest quality ,
ULVSONS WHY IT IS THE MOST PCRFLCT OF ACADEMIC DICTIONARIES.
EXCLUSIVE MERITS OF THIS BOOK. A FEW OF ITS SUPERIOR MERITS.
Found In no other Academic Dictionary. Superior to every < tlier Academic Dictionary.
nXCLUSIVCLY capitalizes only such words ns SUPERIOR Vocabulary ( C2,8f > | term * ) of uner-
rerjuiio capitals A DUKE : ( JUIIIK to CAIUTAI/- ctllwl woi'K , mcustss , uiiU CONVBNIKNT AH-
UiTlOV
RXCI.USIVnLY supplies Propositions ( over SUHiltlOR nennltlons j prepared by KHWENT
1,000) uoil illustrates their correct use. M1 ' " ' ' - KXAcV , AMI ( I EAIt
EXCLUSIVI.LY Rlies Antonyms (3000) ( ) or op. Pronunciation hi stum Indicating
poslto words ; nsiNiUHrKNiuui K AH SINONYIIH. ? " 3 W'T" ' , CAHB AM ) " " ' 'IC1TV' '
EXCLUSIVELY Indlcatis Iho illfTerpnca be- Ktj iiiolojiM tiaced back In direct
tucen cxiin nr.MJ vvoiins anil oitoces WORDH. line , no . nueEt.cs on ihcuitsiohs INTO COCINATB
1 AMIU.IOK
EXCLUSIVELY contalnfl thousands of NEW SUI'EIJIOIt Illustrations Cover 1 W5) ) beingptnic.
wourib aud APPENDIX KKATWKH of great value.
APPENDIX Hi18 APpemJljconibrocrs- Names In
, „ , , , ' . " "Cruplo , riction. Hlitor > , ( Jeocrnphy. plot
, , - In English I.lteraturo , rmilty Diction , Dlnputed I'ronuneU
„
l-Klenients , Titl < aund Degreej : WeightandMea.urUWHloriwlBAuI
and bymboUj Common and Jletrlo BybteniB , etc. , etc. '
PERFECT FROM EVERY STANDPOINT.
" " ' ' Tt.mr' ' I'lil'a'jelpl'la' ' ' ' "Taking it all lojwther. thn Students'
. -ri . . Edition of the
Standard Dictionary , because of the ptHjiillap caia Riven to lid elections , and IwauM , of Itg com"
prehenslvenef-8 , In conciwiiiesa , ItH backing of bcliolarly consensus , /Is / mid porlaUUtv
and It. .nod r ! ln price ) . \ . Kl desks " ' ° l.r" . , ! ! ' "IK ? ffi-W - 1 of . VJftitawJTot only nuioui ; etudentn. but
In editorial rooms , on the ot literary workers , and In homo llllriirles. "
Ttlchurd M , Jones , I.T..I ) . , Head Muster I'rj-alilPiit D. U. Cod.mil , Volytrolnila
William J'onn Clmrtrr .School , roundad Iii t tut.llrooklin. . N Y : "U IH th
jnost
1MJ , Philadelphia , Pa : "I am convinced hat
( reliable , loinprelK'iiMv. ' , nnd convenient die.
thrrn U no academic d'ctlonary ' published In this ' " tor l teather's M *
yet offered
country that approaches it. " u'2"ary to
JkutonJfrralili "It Is to he preferred to all other dictionaries meant for ofllea
desk
and lor acholarg In high schools und academies. Quito Biifllclc-nt for the nee s of nine rrnd. or rafn teu na "
"tf,8,1"1 J11" ! ' ! ' . ! rlotli , leather Imrit , 3.riO ni-t. Itoiuul In full leather
J-t.UU net. ' ' ' '
- Currlub'o jireiiuld. J'uUut 'lliumb Index , fiu Vl-iiU ejUrii.
Sold by Booksellers , or sent postpaid on receipt of prloo by
WARD & GOW
Olty.